SA Rugby magazine relives unforgettable World Cup moments.
1987 WORLD CUP
KIRWAN’S CRACKER
(NEW ZEALAND vs ITALY, AUCKLAND)
The opening match of the 1987 World Cup in New Zealand, won 70-6 by the All Blacks, will always be remembered for John Kirwan’s second try. Shortly after the kick-off that resulted from his first, the winger received the ball not far from his own tryline. With his trademark high-knee action, Kirwan shook off tackles and darted past a dozen defenders to score one of the greatest World Cup tries.
SERGE SINKS WALLABIES
(FRANCE vs AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY)
The Tricolores and Wallabies were locked at 24-24 with just minutes remaining in their semi-final. France claimed possession and a long pass managed to scatter Australia’s defence. The ball eventually found Serge Blanco, 25m out from the tryline, and the fullback went for the left-hand corner, diving over the line and throwing his head back in celebration. The final whistle went soon after and France were through to the World Cup final.
KIRK FRIES FROGS
(NEW ZEALAND vs FRANCE, AUCKLAND)
All Blacks captain David Kirk’s try had given his side a commanding 19-3 lead after 63 minutes of the World Cup final at Eden Park. From the restart, the scrumhalf darted away from a ruck and weaved through the French defence, gaining 60m before being brought to ground. No 8 Buck Shelford picked up the loose ball and passed it to winger John Kirwan, whose try in the right-hand corner put the result beyond doubt.
1991 WORLD CUP
SAMOAN SURPRISE
(WALES vs WESTERN SAMOA, CARDIFF)
Having finished third in the 1987 World Cup, Wales were expected to reach the semi-finals again four years later. However, they dramatically failed to get past the first round when they lost 16-13 to Samoa at Cardiff Arms Park. The Samoans’ chest-high tackling shocked the home side and they lost several key players to injury. In the end, Samoa won the game in controversial circumstances when TV replays showed that Wales scrumhalf Robert Jones had touched the ball before centre To’o Vaega. But the luck went Samoa’s way and a shell-shocked Wales were out. The islanders then put up a brave performance against the Wallabies, losing 9-3, before going down 28-6 to Scotland in the quarter-finals.
LYNAGH BREAKS IRISH HEARTS
(IRELAND vs AUSTRALIA, DUBLIN)
Lansdowne Road erupted when flank Gordon Hamilton scored a try to give Ireland an 18-15 lead against the Wallabies. There were just two minutes remaining in the quarter-final and the home side seemed set for a Dublin meeting with the All Blacks. But Australian captain Michael Lynagh booted the restart deep into Irish territory, presuming they would kick for touch and give his side an attacking lineout. They did exactly that, Australia regained possession and soon after David Campese sent Lynagh over for the match-winning try.
CAMPO KLAPS KIWIS
(AUSTRALIA vs NEW ZEALAND, DUBLIN)
Australia’s 16-6 semi-final victory over New Zealand will always be remembered for one of the greatest tries in World Cup history. Campese took the ball at first receiver and, running on a diagonal arc towards the left-hand touchline, went for the corner. The All Blacks stood back and waited for him to change his line of running or do the ‘goose step’. By the time they had woken up, the Aussies had added another four points and were on their way to Twickenham to face England in the final.
By Simon Borchardt
Photo: Georges Gobet/AFP