Relive some of Wales' best...and worst...World Cup moments

Wales
Tuesday 15 September 2015 at 4:12pm

As we look ahead to the big Rugby World Cup kick off on Friday, Richard Morgan remembers the incidents that have brought agony - and ecstasy - to Wales supporters since the tournament began in 1987.

1987 - Wales v Australia: Paul Thornburn's conversion

Despite the 2011 heroics of Sam Warburton and co, it was Wales' third place finish in 1987 - also in New Zealand - that remains our best ever tournament finish.

Wales shook off their crushing semi-final defeat against the All Blacks to score three tries against Australia in the play-off - winger Adrian Hadley crossing in the game's dying moments to bring them to within a point of the Wallabies. Step forward Paul Thorburn, whose touchline conversion gave Wales the win, and the title of the world's third best team.

1991 - Wales defeat to Western Samoa

After a turbulent summer which saw the sacking of coach Ron Waldron, no one expected great things from Wales at the 1991 World Cup. But few foresaw the events of October 6th, as Wales went down to a humbling 16-12 defeat to Western Samoa at Cardiff Arms Park.

"At least we weren't playing the whole of Samoa", quipped the Wags, with Wales departing the tournament at the group stage for the first (but not the last) time. And there was more pain to come at the hands of the Islanders, who again had the better of the men in red at the 1999 tournament.

1999 - The Millennium Stadium opening ceremony

Cardiff's iconic stadium had actually opened its doors earlier that summer - as Wales defeated South Africa for the first time - but its official introduction to the world came in October, when it hosted the opening ceremony followed by Wales v Argentina.

Shirley sang, Max made us laugh, and Colin Charvis crossed as Graham Henry's men got their campaign off to a winning start.

2003 - Wales v New Zealand: Shane Williams takes his chance

Taken to Australia as third choice scrum half, Shane Williams had to overcome a bout of flu to even make it into the starting fifteen for Wales' showdown against New Zealand.

Few gave Wales, still less Williams, a chance against the All Blacks, in a match where Wales Coach Steve Hansen had chosen to rest many of his best players. 80 thrilling minutes later, Wales had rediscovered their mojo, and their forgotten winger had reminded everyone of his abilities. Eight years and two World Cups later, Shane retired from international rugby as his country's top try scorer.

2007 - Wales sent home by Fiji

With supporters looking ahead to a quarter final against South Africa, Wales suffered perhaps their most disappointing world cup reverse in Nantes. A super spectacle for neutrals saw 72 points scored in the sunshine of Brittany, with Wales ending up on the wrong side of the scoresheet.

The Islanders edging a 34-32 thriller to consign the men in red to an early plane home, and coach Gareth Jenkins to the sack - after just a year in charge.

2011 - Wales v Ireland

Wales v Ireland - it's a fixture that's become as keenly contested as any under Warren Gatland, and this World Cup quarter final edition saw the sweetest victory for the men in red. Shane Williams, Mike Phillips and Jonathan Davies all touched down as Wales dominated, with Irish legend Brian O'Driscoll describing the 22-10 defeat as the biggest regret of his career.

2011 - THAT semi-final against France

60,000 supporters crammed into the Millennium Stadium to watch a match unfold on the other side of the world... but went home heartbroken.

Despite seeing skipper Sam Warburton red carded, Wales still seemed to have the beating of an ordinary French side in Auckland. But as Leigh Halfpenny's late long range penalty dropped short and the seconds ebbed away, we were forced to embrace reality - a 9-8 defeat, and no World Cup Final.

"The greatest missed opportunity in Welsh Rugby history", said centre Jamie Roberts recently. It's hard to disagree.