For followers of the 15-man game the Rugby World Cup is the greatest show on Earth, but could it be the most one-sided in history or will the hot favourites fail once again?
New Zealand All Blacks
Fast, powerful and dominant. All words that could describe the All Blacks. Outside of a World Cup that is. For some strange reason, the World’s best International side has won just one World crown back in 1987 at the inaugural tournament and have reached just one final in the five competitions since. So why do the 10 time Tri Nations winners fail on the big stage? Is it the pressure of being favourites? Do they ‘choke’ as fans of other nations claim, or do they simply peak too soon?
Year after year the dominant All Blacks overcome Australia and South Africa in the Tri Nations (they have won 10 of the 16 tournaments contested) and then travel to the Northern Hemisphere and beat the likes of England, Ireland and France. Yet during the actual World Cup they seem to freeze and come away empty handed.
Rugby World Cup History
In 1987 the World Cup kicked off in New Zealand and Australia and was dominantly won by the All Blacks after a 29-9 win over France in the final at Auckland’s Eden Park where the 2011 final will be staged (an omen perhaps?). That would be the last success for the New Zealanders’ though as they would fall to rivals Australia in Dublin in 1991 before the Wallabies would beat England at Twickenham.
England gained revenge in 1995 when a Rob Andrew drop goal knocked the holders out at the quarter final stage, before a 19st teenage sensation named Jonah Lomu would score 4 tries as they were thumped 45-29 by New Zealand who reached their second, and last, final. Hosts South Africa would come out on top though after extra time 15-12 sparking scenes that inspired the film ‘Invictus’ some years later.
Semi-final defeats to France and Australia would follow for the All Blacks in 1999 and 2003, before a quarter final defeat to France in 2007 would see them record their worst finish in the 24-year-history of the competition.
Dan Carter
Without doubt the key man if the hosts are to finally reward their loyal and passionate fans will be fly half Dan Carter. Carter is the World’s record points scorer amassing over 1200 points in just 83 games making him the games hottest property. If he can fire on all cylinders with his fast attack and accurate kicking then the All Blacks may well repeat their 1987 success.
World Cup Winners
1987 – New Zealand bt France
1991 – Australia bt England
1995 – South Africa bt New Zealand (after extra time)
1999 – Australia bt France
2003 – England bt Australia (after extra time)
2007 – South Africa bt England
Sources: Rugby Football History ESPN
Adam Conroy - Despite not being an experienced writer, I have had a love of all things sport since a young age. I have travelled both the country and ...
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