Top ten Rugby World Cup moments
Over the last 28 years, the Rugby World Cup has provided us with some truly spectacular moments. From spectacular feats of skill, heartbreak and moments which have transcended the sport entirely. In anticipation of a memorable 2015 Rugby World Cup we count down 10 of greatest moments the competition has had to offer.
10. John Kirwan sets the tone
Nobody knew what to expect in the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup but in the opening game John Kirwan of New Zealand set the tone. Kirwan scored a sublime solo try from inside his own 22, and escaping the clutches of half of the Italian team in the process. New Zealand won the game 70-6 and went on to be the first team to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
9. Western Samoa stun Wales
Wales have made a habit of coming undone to Pacific Island nations in over the years but none sent shock waves through the rugby world quite like Wales' defeat to Western Samoa in 1991.
8. Hastings has a shocker
Scottish legend Gavin Hastings was known as one of the best goal kickers in the game but in the 1991 semi-final match against England he proved that even the best have bad days. The score was just 6 point apiece and Hastings was given the opportunity to take the lead from right in front of the posts. The kick that the full back could have made in his sleep went shockingly wide to break Scottish hearts. England went on to win the game and Scotland have never come so close again.
7. Warburton sees red
For Welsh fans this is the ultimate Rugby World Cup 'what if?' moment. Wales had impressed on their way to their 2011 semi-final clash with France. Wales looked dominant before a tip tackle on France's Vincent Clerc was deemed dangerous enough by referee Alain Rolland to earn a red card. Wales went on to give a brave account of themselves, almost snatching the win in the final minutes, however the controversial sending off of their captain was ultimately the difference between heartbreak and glory.
6. Campese genius downs Kiwis
Few rugby players have possessed the wizardry and try scoring ability of Australia's David Campese and in the 1991 World Cup Semi-final against New Zealand, all his skills were on display. Campese ran in his own try before later employing some of his trademark footwork as well as brilliant blind over-the-shoulder pass to see Tim Horan to pick up Australia's second. The second score has perhaps never been bettered in a World Cup semi-final and Australia would go on to win the tournament.
5. De Beer drops into record books
England and South Africa went into the second half of their 1999 quarter-final match level pegging. That was before Jannie De Beer decided that he had other plans. The South African fly half would slot over 5 successful drop goals in just 31 minutes to see South Africa reach the semi-finals and etch his own name into the history books.
4. New Zealand end 24 years of disappointment
After lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in the inaugural World Cup, the Kiwi's endured 24 years of heartbreak. The perennial favourites seemed unable to deliver on the biggest stage and in 2011 they found themselves in a final against their most notorious banana-skin, France. A nervous New Zealand ground out a 8-7 win over France to break the curse and the mixture of relief and euphoria was clear.
3. Jonah Lomu flattens England
At 20 year old the legendary Jonah Lomu burst on to the scene during the 1995 World Cup and nobody, including England knew what to make of him. Rugby had never seen his like before, a 6ft 5" powerhouse winger. He would score 4 tries against England, flattening the poor Mike Catt in the process, and take New Zealand in to the final.
2. Jonny's golden boots lead the way
England went into the 2003 World Cup as the number one team in the world and favourites to win the tournament. after going about their business well they found themselves facing the host nation, Australia in the final. The hard fought game came down to one moment - the ever cool Jonny Wilkinson and successful drop goal that would snatch victory for England. The nation's euphoria was unparalleled and it remains the greatest moment in English rugby history.
1. "One team, one country"
There is no image more iconic in Rugby World Cup history than South African President Nelson Mandela handing the Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar, South Africa's World Cup winning captain. South Africa was a country divided by the shadow of apartheid but the image Mandela embracing Pienaar over World Cup success, and what it represented, went a long way to healing some of the wounds of the past.