RWC 2023
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
· 2 minute read
Key moments in Australia’s Rugby World Cup story so far.
Australia is one of only four countries to have won the Webb Ellis Cup, winning in 1991 and 1999 in its 33-year history. But Australia has also had its share of disappointments and heartbreaks on the sport’s biggest stage.
A look back at Australia’s Rugby World Cup story.
RWC debut: May 23, 1987 against England at Concord Oval, Sydney
RWC Games played: 53 games – 42 wins, 0 draws, 11 losses – 1,797 points, 754 points – 79% win rate
Most RWC appearances: George Gregan, 20 (1995-2007)
RWC Most Tries: Drew Mitchell, 14
Best Finish: Champions 1991, 1999
Qualification for RWC 2023: Lost to quarterfinalists at RWC 2019
Most memorable match: Although it ended in heartbreak, Australia played a role in arguably the greatest Rugby World Cup semi-final in history in the inaugural tournament in 1987. The match was tied and the score was on the verge of death, but it was decided in France’s favor. At 24-24, a Barbarian-style attack that involved several players, weaving from one side of the pitch to the other, ended with Serge Blanco’s brilliant dive into the corner.
Iconic moment: It was the day that established David Campese as one of the game’s greats. Campese scored a try with an arcing run to the line and set up Tim Horan for another try with an audacious no-look switch pass. The All Blacks had never lost a Rugby World Cup match before, but they were not going to play against fickle players at their best.
Low point: Sydney had just 30 seconds left when Jonny Wilkinson immortalized rugby with the drop goal that denied the Wallabies their chance to become the first team to win back-to-back titles in 2003. They lost to England in extra time. The home tournament final was even more demoralizing than the quarterfinal loss at the hands of their great rival in 1995. They also suffered the same fate in 2007 and 2019.
Iconic player: David Campese. Player of the match in the 1991 RWC tournament, the goose-eyed winger was at the heart of everything that was good about the Wallabies’ game. Campese used his mesmerizing skills to score six tries and create more for his teammates.
Record-breaker: Australia’s 35-12 victory over France in 1999 is the largest margin of victory in an RWC final. France, who showed a “cup final” performance against the All Blacks in the semi-finals, struggled to improve their form and were completely defeated in Cardiff. Ben Tune and Owen Finnegan scored tries for the Wallabies, with Matt Burke’s trusty boot accounting for the rest of the scores.
Did you know? At the 1999 RWC, opponents had no answer to the defensive system devised by cross-code coach John Muggleton. Australia conceded only one try (vs. USA) as they sought their second win of the tournament.
Quote: “…the first 40 minutes of that game was probably the best first half of rugby I’ve ever played for an Australian team. It was just amazing.” – Michael Reiner at RWC 1991 A look back at Australia’s semi-final victory over New Zealand.
Read more: Italy / Fiji / Argentina / Scotland / Japan / France
