Australia’s biggest moments within the Rugby World Cup

Australia are famed for being the most effective sporting nations on the planet. Nevertheless, for varied causes, rugby union is on the decline down below, and the consequences of which have been enormously felt on the present World Cup in France.

The Wallabies’ struggles have been effectively documented previous to the event, as they completed the latest Rugby Championship and not using a 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 return and the Wallabies can get better once they tackle internet hosting duties in 4 years’ time.

There’s some severe work to be achieved earlier than then although. So, as we wait to see what the long run 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 the planet, and we may write an entire article about their enmity on the Rugby World Cup. They met within the pool stage within the inaugural event in 1987, with the Wallabies popping out high, and the 2 foes went head-to-head again within the 1991 last 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 best way to carry the Webb Ellis Cup 4 years later. It was a low-scoring affair within the English capital and the hosts have been by no means actually in it, trailing Australia 9-0 at half-time earlier than finally shedding 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, shedding 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 e book their place within the last against France on the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. It was the primary time France had reached the showpiece match, having gained the bronze medal 4 years earlier, however Australia made gentle work of their European counterparts — profitable 35-1 within the Welsh capital.

2003: Australia’s file win over Namibia

Point out the 2003 Rugby World Cup to an Australian, they usually probably gained’t need to discuss it. The event happened on residence soil and the Wallabies have been constructed as much as win a 3rd Webb Ellis Cup, going all the best way to the ultimate just for England to interrupt their hearts due to a dramatic Jonny Wilkinson drop purpose 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 instances. 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.