In past World Cups, there has been certain types of players who have arrived at the beginning of the competition either as relatively unknowns or players that have played consistently leading up to the tournament.
The first ever Rugby World Cup was in 1987, hosted by New Zealand and Australia, and the showpiece event witnessed some of the best players in the game at the time. Players such as John Kirwan and Michael Jones of eventual winners, the New Zealand All Blacks, Wales’ Ieuan Evans and Serge Blanco of France. But it was the arrival of another New Zealander that encapsulated what the game is all about.
Legends of the Rugby World Cup
Sean Fitzpatrick was selected for the All Blacks World Cup squad, mainly as a backup option at hooker for original captain Andy Dalton. However, an injury to Dalton before the tournament started was to hand Fitzpatrick his big break. Now he was starting the competition as first choice hooker and he never looked back. He became part of a very dominant forward pack for the All Blacks which laid the platform for World Cup glory. Even though Andy Dalton recovered during the World Cup, Fitzpatrick’s performances were so good, that he kept Dalton out for the remainder of the tournament, which is a testament to how the Rugby World Cup can be the springboard for players to become stars for their countries.
1991 witnessed the real emergence of Australia’s hidden gems with players like Michael Lynagh, Captain Nick Farr-Jones and wing wizard David Campese. There was the chance to see Samoa’s big hitters Pat Lam and Brian Lima, the latter going on to be nicknamed ‘the Chiropractor’ because of his ferocious, bone crunching tackling. For France it was the arrival of silky centre Philippe Sella and the Scots’ gave the Hastings brothers, Gavin and Scott the chance to show what they could do, as they went on to set appearance records for brothers playing together for their country.
In 1995, we saw the quality that hosts’ South Africa had at their disposal in not just individual players, but more importantly, the quality they had as a team unit. It was the first World Cup that South Africa was participating in, so they were looking to make a statement. They went on to win the competition, beating New Zealand in the final, and vital to their team ethic were players such as wing Chester Williams, half-backs Joost van der Westhuizen and Joel Stransky and Captain Francois Pienaar. But it was one particular player who would go on to set records across the board and create historical moments that are still being talked about today.
Jonah Lomu, a young man who became rugby’s first superstar. Tipping the scales at 19 st 5 lb, standing at 6 ft 5 in and having the ability to run 100 meters in 10.5 seconds, this guy was something to behold. Despite defeat in the final, Lomu would finish the tournament as top try scorer with 7 tries, scoring a record four tries against England in the semi-final, creating an iconic moment where he trundled straight over England’s fullback Mike Catt to score in the corner.
1999 was situated all across the British Isles, where Australia once again reigned supreme and claimed their second title. South African fly half Jannie de Beer was one of the stars of this tournament, scoring a world record 5 drop goals against England in the quarter final. Ireland captain Keith Wood was a stand out in his position with a record equalling four tries against USA, but it was Aussie centre Tim Horan who was the main man. Despite getting severe food poisoning in the lead up to the semi-final against South Africa, he managed to shake it off, dust himself down and put in a man of the match display to send his team into the final against France.
2003 saw the changing of the guard, with England becoming the first Northern Hemisphere nation to win the Rugby World Cup. Going into the tournament, England were hot favourites having beaten the ‘Big Three’ of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia on their own turf. At the forefront for England was Jonny Wilkinson. A points scoring machine, his left foot was a magic wand every time he struck a rugby ball. However, it was his right foot that struck gold in the final against Australia, scoring a drop goal in the dying minutes of extra time to write his name in rugby folklore. New Zealand wingers Joe Rocokoko and Doug Howlett topped the try scoring charts, but ultimately Wilkinson proved to be the most crucial of all.
It was France’s turn to play the host nation in 2007, even though they didn’t quite use home advantage to the fullest, losing the opening game against great rivals Argentina. South Africa won the final in Paris, defeating England 15-6 and adding to their first World Cup title from 1995. Wing Bryan Habana’s ability to find the try line and score a record equalling eight tries, played a huge role in South Africa’s challenge for gold.
It was the arrival however, of the Argentinians to the competition that took not only France by surprise, but the rugby world. The standout player for the Pumas was their mercurial fly half Juan Martin Hernandez. A wonderfully smooth runner with the ball in hand, he also was able to show off his kicking ability, thumping the ball countlessly from 60-70 meters with the odd drop goal to match. Nicknamed ‘El Mago’ meaning the magician in Latin, Hernandez always had a trick up his sleeve for his opponents to ponder over. This would play a big part in Argentina finishing the tournament in third place, their best ever performance at the Rugby World Cup.
2011 and with New Zealand as hosts for the competition, the kiwi population would only accept victory. After going through all but one tournament as favourites in their history and falling to the great pressure put on them by their country’s expectations. New Zealand played tremendously well throughout the whole tournament, and were worthy champions, joining Australia and South Africa as the only teams to have won the World Cup twice. France were the old foes that New Zealand overcame in the final at Eden Park, Auckland and ironically it was the French who were the last team to beat New Zealand at Eden Park way back in 1994. Unfortunately for France, they fell just short of creating a massive upset, but it didn’t stop us from highlighting their best performers in the tournament.
Vincent Clerc was outstanding on the wing for France, ending the tournament as joint top try scorer. Captain Thierry Dusautoir was colossal in dragging his side through difficult periods in the competition. Putting in a man of the match performance in the final and scoring a try in the process, emphasized his importance to the French. New Zealand had their usual star studded line ups with players such as Kieran Read, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu and Israel Dagg. But for me, the All Blacks wouldn’t have won the title if it wasn’t for the presence of one man.
Captain Richie McCaw had apparently received a stress fracture to his toe on his right foot. This would usually mean the end of the tournament for most players, but not for McCaw. Somehow, through his sheer determination and pure mental strength, he managed to block it out, play through the pain barrier and keep his teams’ challenge for gold on track and lead his country to World Cup glory, to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy and officially be crowned as the World’s best.
As for 2015, who knows what is going to happen and what players are going to make an impact at the tournament? It’s the unpredictability of it all, that entices us to keep our eyes peeled, in anticipation for what is about to happen, and that is always a good thing to look forward to.
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