Favourite moments from RWCs

This was an idea prompted by the 'Favourite All Time XV' thread in which my side was dominated by the players who shone during RWC 2003. As that was basically the moment my rugby obsession kicked into over-drive it wasn't surprising but made me think of many great moments from that tournament.

Obviously as an England fan the 2003 final stands out but other than that;

Jason Robinsons burst in the QF against Wales that led to the Greenwoods try. 2003

Brian O'Driscolls try in the corner vs Australia with around 3 players trying to force him into touch. It takes ridicolous skill to touch down one handed as he did there. 2003

Carlos Spencers through the legs pass to set-up Joe Rokocoko in the NZ vs SA quarter final. As so often with Spencer it was arguably unnecessary but still brillaint to watch! 2003

Brent Cobains brilliant line out steal and Ceri Sweeneys ridiculous side step following it that led to a try (for Mark Taylor I think?) against NZ in the group stages. In fact that entire match was pretty spectacular! 2003

Joe Worsleys tap tackle on Vincent Clerc in the SF - the shock of which was made even greater by the tv coverage in which Worsley appeared from nowhere like a super hero! 2007

So there's mine, as usual apologies to me missing out many older moments as I'm a fairly recent rugby fan compared to many on these boards!

Please discuss! Any seggestion (hopefully not provocative) from any era is more than welcome.

Jonah Lomu destroying the English defence after being called a freak by Carling at RWC 95

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Jonah Lomu destroying the English defence after being called a freak by Carling at RWC 95

I was about to mention that one too.

John Kirwan's try vs Italy in 1987, the moment I truly fell in love with rugby.

From a neutral's perspective that France comeback in 99, Wales' comeback in 2003.

For nailbiting tension it's difficult to look past the 95 final, the 2003 final and 2011 final especially if your teams were involved. You never knew what the outcome would be.

Pure individual moments of brilliance, Lomu's quartet in 95, Kirwan's incredible run in 87 and Kronfeld's try of the tournament against Ireland in 95 stand out for me.

Ah yes I thought Lomu vs England might be a popular one!

Yes John Kirwan's was a wonderful try. I remember in about 2000 actually when a kiwi came over to our club as a overseas/exchange player - he worked for the 1st XV coach on his farm and played/coached at the club basically. Only a young bloke but got his dad to send over a tape of favourite All Black moments to solve some 'friendly' after game drinking arguments. You can probaly imagine the sort with at an East Yorkshire club!

Anyway that Kirwan try amongst others was on it. First time I'd seen it as I was a young lad and it blew my mind!

Taumalolo screaming in triumph before that last scrum vs France is up there for mine. Loving it.

The worst was Max Brito. Let's hope that never happens again.

One of the best moments for me was Christoff Dominici I think it was 1999 rugby world cup. When he took on Jonno Lomu kicked the ball over Lomu's head to score a try.

That pass from France v NZ to score the winning try was truly great for me, closely followed by the Aus comentators reaction to Shanes juggle pop pass v England in that 1/4final.

The irony of prediction chicken correctly predicting Tony Woodcock would be the first try scorer in the 2011 RWC final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN7-hJKB0l4

..blancos try versus oz in 87 was a special one...one of the most exciting finishes to a test I have seen.

Kirwans `the ballymore crowd is standing to a man` tackle on ieaun evans remains for me the single best tackle in all of rugby.

Campese overhead pass to horan to seal the abs fate in 91.

Agree with kronfields ireland try of 95. Lomus run and final handoff incredible.

Pieter Hendrisk running around David Campese 1995 opening match.

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Jonah Lomu destroying the English defence after being called a freak by Carling at RWC 95

He called him a freak AFTER the game. Did scotland make it out if the group stages last year....

My best and worst RWC moments both came in Paris.

Best - 91 QF beating the French in a brutal encounter. Micky skinner's tackle on Cecillon, Blanco losing the plot and raining punches on Heslop.

Worst 99 QF. Sat behind the posts as Jannie de Beer slotted DG after DG. (only partially eased by starting a rumpur on the eurostar back that anyone with an SA passport and tourist visa would be denied re-entry to the UK. The angst and panic on Saffer faces was amusing )

Breadvan wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Jonah Lomu destroying the English defence after being called a freak by Carling at RWC 95

He called him a freak AFTER the game. Did scotland make it out if the group stages last year....

Yes, he blew him a kiss in the Haka before.

Biltong wrote:Pieter Hendrisk running around David Campese 1995 opening match.

Can't see why that would be a highlight to be honest. I man most players didn't bother running around him when through him was usually more direct. Defender he was not...attacking genius he certainly was.

Forgot to mention the upsets. France vs Australia 87, Manu Samoa 91, Argentina 2007, Tonga France 2011.

Desperately close matches: Scotland England and Ireland Australia 91, Wales against SA 2011.

Favourite moment, Fiji V Wales 2007 battle for the quarter final spot.
Amazing for the neutral, some fantastic running rugby & some incredible tries scored. Plus it's always nice to see the underdogs have their day

This gem from NZ v Eng 1995, Fell off my couch laughing after that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0nfYW-wIZ4

He had a habit...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRdo2nsr_b0

Not a RWC, but just as important. Jonny who?

My favourite moments are

Wales v NZ 03 - I never believed we would win, but then our performance was great. Massive buzz when Shane scored too.

NZ v France 07 - though technically I only saw first half (left Iraq around HT, landed in Qatar at fulltime and couldn't believe the turnaround)

Wales v Argentina 99 - purely as I was there. Opening ceremony, great build up (though not so great a game).

NZ v England 95 - Will be on a lot of people's lists.

England v Aus 03 - though I was happy for England to win, my happiest moment was when Flatley kicked the pen to force Extra Time, as I really didn't want him to be the man who lost the RWC for Australia.

USA's try against South Africa, scored by Ngwenya.

The build up, think SA were on the attack, cant remember if was a turnover or knock on.

The pass from the american forward, think he smashed James out the way, dont remember this bit exactly.

Then the foot race between Ngwenya and Habana. Serious pace, the crowd(SA fans apart) loved seeing that try, Habana being shown up.

Great try, the commentaters went mental.

The best for me was Bernie Larkham's 50m drop goal to effectively win the game against the Boks in the '99 semi. It was a tight game and a freakish kick from someone who'd never attempted one before. No tries were scored that day, it was all from the boot. For some reason I still remember the pain on Percy Montgomery's face after the game.

Julian Savea's hand off on Ben Foden and offload to Jane to score under the posts in the final minute at Twickenham clinching back to back world cups for New Zealand in 2015 was unmissable.

So we make the final.....I'd take that now!

Going back to Lomu in 95. Didn't Rory Underwood wink at him at the end of the Haka? Lomu then goes and uses Catt as a door matt. Cheers Rory...

Jesus, I really hope they don't make another final. We'll be hearing about England being the most successful world cup team and how they spent 4 years purposely losing the 6 Nations to be in that final...

This was a great and memorable contest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUSb9_oRK9o

Unfortunately the commentator needs to go back to school on how to pronounce the names and clubs of both sets of players!

This was a great and memorable contest, one of the best from 07:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUS8FfW8hOg

I wouldn't get into this contest If I was you Moragnnwg! I have more ammunition!

AWOP, you trully are an oddball. I have no idea what you are talking about? I and others enjoyed both the fixtures we have mentioned (you'll see if you read this thread). Stay on topic.