Iconic moments at Rugby World Cup 


1987 Kirwan Inspires Kiwis 	New Zealand 70 Italy 6

John Kirwan scores stunning 70-metre solo try in opening match of inaugural tournament. New Zealand go on to beat France in final to claim Webb Ellis Cup in Auckland


1991 Wales Humbled 		Western Samoa 16 Wales 13

Minnows Western Samoa beat Wales, unable to cope with athleticism and physicality of Pacific Islanders, in possibly biggest upset in Rugby World Cup


1995 Legend of Lomu 		New Zealand 45 England 29

Jonah Lomu, 20, makes World Cup debut – stellar semi-final display against England includes four tries as Lomu evades countless tackles, leaving defenders stunned by his power and pace


1995 Rainbow Nation Unites 	South Africa 15 New Zealand 12

Iconic moment in sport as President Nelson Mandela (above) – wearing Springbok green – presents trophy to South Africa’s winning captain Francois Pienaar
               

1999 French Spirit 		France 43 New Zealand 31 

Inspired by Christophe Lamaison, France stage remarkable comeback to reach final after trailing All Blacks by 24-10
  

2003 Wallabies’ Masterclass 	Australia 142 Namibia 0 

Australia emphasise gulf in class with record World Cup victory, scoring first of 22 tries after just two minutes
  

2003 Kicking for Glory 		England 20 Australia 17 

England become first northern hemisphere team to win title – Jonny Wilkinson (right) sealing breathtaking drop goal victory with just 26 seconds of extra-time remaining


2007 Los Pumas Arrive 		Argentina 17 France 12

Argentina emerge as new rugby force, claiming third-place finish after topping “Pool of Death” – beating established rugby nations of France, Ireland and Scotland
       

2011 All Blacks Triumph 	New Zealand 8 France 7 

Eden Park erupts as captain Richie McCaw (right) leads New Zealand to second World Cup, ending 24-year wait
          

2015 Japanese Joy 		Japan 34 South Africa 32

Two-time champions South Africa narrowly lose to confident Japan team captained by Michael Leitch – Blossoms’ first World Cup win since 1991 


2019 New Territory 		South Africa 32 England 12
  
World Cup moves outside rugby’s traditional heartlands as Japan plays host. Siya Kolisi becomes first black captain to lead South Africa to victory


2023 World Cup marks 200 years since birth of rugby football


Sources: World Rugby, wire agencies 
Pictures: Getty Images 
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