Australia’s biggest moments within the Rugby World Cup

Australia are famed for being probably the greatest sporting nations on the planet. Nonetheless, for varied causes, rugby union is on the decline down below, and the consequences of which were tremendously felt on the present World Cup in France.

The Wallabies’ struggles had been properly documented previous to the match, as they completed the latest Rugby Championship with no win. Eddie Jones’ facet did handle to open their World Cup account with a routine 35-15 victory over Georgia, however defeats to Fiji and Wales left Australia all however eradicated within the pool stage for the primary time in historical past.

Australia didn’t go to France as one of many favourites within the odds for Rugby World Cup, however few would have tipped a facet of their magnitude to crash out this early. Hopefully, this isn’t an indication of issues to come back and the Wallabies can get better once they tackle internet hosting duties in 4 years’ time.

There’s some severe work to be accomplished earlier than then although. So, as we wait to see what the longer term holds for Australia within the rugby union sphere, let’s take a look at a few of their biggest moments on the World Cup.

1991: Australia win the World Cup at Twickenham

Australia and England are two of the largest sporting rivals on this planet, and we might write a complete article about their enmity on the Rugby World Cup. They met within the pool stage within the inaugural match in 1987, with the Wallabies popping out prime, and the 2 foes went head-to-head again within the 1991 closing at Twickenham Stadium in London.

Australia completed fourth once they co-hosted the primary Rugby World Cup alongside New Zealand in 1987, however they went all the way in which to elevate the Webb Ellis Cup 4 years later. It was a low-scoring affair within the English capital and the hosts had been by no means actually in it, trailing Australia 9-0 at half-time earlier than in the end dropping 12-6.

1999: Australia’s second World Cup success

After crashing out within the quarter-finals on the defence of their World Cup title in South Africa in 1995, dropping 25-22 to England within the final eight, Australia regained the Webb Ellis Cup in 1999 — changing into the first-ever facet to win the sought-after piece of silverware on two events.

The Wallabies edged out South Africa in extra-time at Twickenham to guide their place within the closing against France on the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. It was the primary time France had reached the showpiece match, having received the bronze medal 4 years earlier, however Australia made mild work of their European counterparts — successful 35-1 within the Welsh capital.

2003: Australia’s document win over Namibia

Point out the 2003 Rugby World Cup to an Australian, they usually doubtless received’t wish to speak about it. The match passed off on residence soil and the Wallabies had been constructed as much as win a 3rd Webb Ellis Cup, going all the way in which to the ultimate just for England to interrupt their hearts because of a dramatic Jonny Wilkinson drop aim within the final 30 seconds of extra-time.

Their 142-0 win over Namibia within the pool stage is value remembering, nonetheless, because it’s the largest win in Rugby World Cup historical past. Australia racked up an unbelievable 22 tries against the Africans, with Chris Latham scoring 5 occasions. Lote Tuqiri and Matt Giteau scored 3 times every, whereas Mat Rogers crossed for 2 tries and kicked 16 conversions for a person tally of 42 factors.