RWC 1991: Striking gold

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SA Rugby journal appears to be like again on the 1991 World Cup, which was gained by the Wallabies.

One of many criticisms of the 1987 World Cup was that it was hosted by two nations, Australia and New Zealand. The overall consensus afterwards was that the event needs to be staged in a single nation for logistical, focus and administration causes.

Nevertheless, everybody in Europe needed a share of the motion in 1991, so the second World Cup was hosted collectively by the 5 Nations unions. As soon as once more, the Springboks weren’t welcome on the international showpiece, though they might return to worldwide rugby the next yr.

Australia went into the World Cup as slight favourites, having overwhelmed the All Blacks in Sydney earlier that yr earlier than struggling a slender loss in Auckland. So far as the European nations have been involved, solely England got a practical probability of successful the title.

The 1991 World Cup kicked off with the All Blacks beating England 18-12 at Twickenham, however probably the most memorable match of the pool stage was in Cardiff. Wales had completed third on the 1987 World Cup and have been anticipated to cruise into the second spherical. Nevertheless, in one of many largest World Cup upsets, they misplaced 16-13 to Western Samoa (many Welshmen needed to lookup Samoa on a map afterwards).

The islanders virtually repeated their heroics in opposition to the Wallabies, taking place 9-3, they usually hammered Argentina 35-12 earlier than dropping 28-6 to Scotland within the quarter-finals.

In the meantime, the All Blacks certified for the final 4 with an unconvincing 29-13 win in opposition to Canada, and England floor out an uninspiring 19-10 victory in opposition to France.

The choose of the quarter-finals was in Dublin, the place the Wallabies edged Eire 19-18. A attempt from flank Gordon Hamilton had raised the roof and given Eire an 18-15 lead with two minutes remaining, however the Wallabies hit again virtually instantly when David Campese despatched Michael Lynagh over for the match-winner.

The semi-finals pitted outdated foes in opposition to one another – Scotland vs England and Australia vs New Zealand.

As anticipated, the primary semi at Murrayfield was determined by the boot, with Jonathan Webb out-kicking Gavin Hastings for a boring 9-6 win.

The second semi lived as much as all of the pre-match hype, with the Wallabies completely outplaying the defending champions. The Australians’ 16-6 victory at Lansdowne Highway will all the time be remembered for one of many best tries in World Cup historical past.

Campese took the ball at first receiver and, working on a diagonal arc in direction of the left-hand touchline, went for the nook. The All Blacks stood again and waited for him to vary his line of working or do the ‘goose step’. By the point they’d woken up, the Aussies had added one other 4 factors and have been on their approach to Twickenham.

England had reached the ultimate by enjoying conservative, 10-man rugby, and had they stored religion of their sport plan, Will Carling and never Nick Farr-Jones could have lifted the Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham on 2 November 1991. Nevertheless, the host nation inexplicably determined to run the ball at each alternative within the decider, however with little success.

In the long run, just one attempt was scored when Wallabies prop Tony Daly was pushed over from a lineout, and the Wallabies gained 12-6.

1991 Participant of the Event

A continuing risk-taker, Wallabies wing David Campese was the undisputed star of the 1991 World Cup.

Campese started with two tries in opposition to Argentina, scored a brace in opposition to Eire of their quarter-final and added one other within the semi-final in opposition to the All Blacks.

Some credit score for Campese’s success ought to go to educate Bob Dwyer, who introduced his wing into play as a lot as potential. In truth, many of the Wallabies’ backline techniques revolved round Campese, an uncommon ploy again in 1991.

Campese’s World Cup will all the time be remembered for his well-known ‘goose step’ – a hitch-kick movement that left opponents stumbling to attempt to deal with him. After the event, 1000’s of kids world wide have been imitating the legendary Wallabies wing.