Rugby World Cup Greatest Games: A History in 50 Matches

by Rob Clark

Overview

The Rugby World Cup has only been in existence since 1987, yet already it is established as the sport's premier competition—six weeks of frenzied action which entrances all the rugby-playing nations. The tournament has thrown up countless memorable matches, introduced us to amazing players, and witnessed some incredible scores—from Michael Jones scoring the first World Cup try to the legendary All Blacks regaining the trophy in a titanic struggle with France 24 years later. In between we have witnessed two triumphs each for Australia and South Africa, and of course England's sole victory to date for a Northern Hemisphere side. Relive France's spectacular wins over Australia and New Zealand; Argentina's repeated upsetting of the world order; last-minute drop goals by Joel Stransky and Jonny Wilkinson; and the sheer exuberance of the Pacific Islanders—in a Rugby World Cup history which will appeal to fans of every nation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785310539
Publisher:	Pitch Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	12/01/2015
Series:	Greatest Games
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.25(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Rob Clark is the lead writer and commissioning editor of the official Six Nations Championship Guide. He was the editor of the British & Irish Lions Tour Guide for the Australia tour in 2013 and is co-editor of the World Rugby Yearbook 2015. He has also been involved in writing and editing matchday programs for the PRO12 and the Barbarians.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 6

Introduction 7

New Zealand v Italy, 22 May l987 9

France v Scotland, 23 May 1987 13

Argentina v Fiji, 24 May 1987 17

Wales v England, 8 June 1987 21

Australia v France, 13 June 1987 25

New Zealand v France, 20 June 1987 29

England v New Zealand, 3 October 1991 33

Wales v Western Samoa, 6 October 1991 37

Canada v Fiji, 5 October 1991 41

Ireland v Australia, 20 October 1991 45

Scotland v England, 26 October 1991 49

England v Australia, 2 November 1991 53

South Africa v Australia, 25 May 1995 57

Ireland v Wales 4 June 1995 61

Japan v New Zealand, 4 June 1995 65

Ivory Coast v Tonga, 3 June 1995 69

Australia v England, 11 June 1995 72

England v New Zealand, 18 June 1995 76

South Africa v New Zealand, 24 June 1995 81

Spain v Uruguay, 2 October 1999 85

Wales v Samoa, 14 October 1999 89

Romania v USA, 9 October 1999 93

Argentina v Ireland, 20 October 1999 97

England v South Africa, 24 October 1999 101

Australia v South Africa, 30 October 1999 105

France v New Zealand, 31 October 1999 109

France v Australia, 6 November 1999 113

Australia v Ireland, 1 November 2003 117

Fiji v Scotland, 1 November 2003 121

Georgia v Uruguay, 28 October 2003 125

England v South Africa, 18 October 2003 129

New Zealand v Wales, 2 November 2003 133

England v Wales, 9 November 2003 137

New Zealand v Australia, 15 November 2003 141

Australia v England, 22 November 2003 145

England v South Africa, 14 September 2007 149

Samoa v Tonga, 16 September 2007 153

Fiji v Wales, 29 September 2007 157

Portugal v Scotland, 9 September 2007 161

France v Argentina, 7 September 2007 165

Georgia v Namibia, 26 September 2007 169

New Zealand v France, 6 October 2007 173

England v South Africa, 20 October 2007 177

France v Tonga, 1 October 2011 181

Argentina v Scotland, 25 September 2011 185

Australia v Ireland, 17 September 2011 189

England v France, 8 October 2011 193

Canada v Japan, 27th September 2011 197

Wales v France, 15 October 2011 201

New Zealand v France, 23 October 2011 205