ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Rugby World Cup Winners - New Zealand 1987

BY Grant Constable  ·  Thursday Sep 8, 2011

On the eve of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, we take a nostalgic look back to the last time the All Blacks won the tournament, which is incidentally also the last time they hosted it, nearly 25 years ago in 1987.

This brilliant documentary takes us through the build up and various rounds of the tournament from the players’ and fans perspective. It was the amateur era back then, so things were very different but the passion and belief, as well as the pressure of a nation, was very much the same as it is today.

Stars were born as the likes of John Kirwan and Sean Fitzpatrick established themselves and match winners, while halfback David Kirk stepped up so manfully to take over the captaincy after Andy Dalton had been injured. When Dalton returned, Fitzpatrick kept him out the side with good form, so Kirk stayed on to become an intergral part of New Zealand’s success.

It was the inaugral tournament and as you will see, was very much a shock to the system for some of the players. While it was nothing like New Zealand 2011 will be like, it was far larger than anyone had imagined at the time. Having said that, there was a brilliant amateur factor to it all, with Zinzan Brooke talking about how he went to watch some kids playing rugby before the final, and then the monday after winning, most of them were ready to go back to their jobs bright and early.

Current World Champions South Africa weren’t at the tournament due to politcal unrest and sanctions, but Australia, New Zealand, France, England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland were joined by nine invited nations. The qualifying process as we know it today was not in place. That resulted in five of the current Rugby World Cup records for highest scores taking place in that tournament, in 1987.

Against Italy, the All Blacks racked up a 70-6 win and those on hand witnessed one of the greatest ever solo tries seen on a rugby field, scored by John Kirwan as he glided through the defence from a restart. That was just one of many great moments from back then.

They then beat Fiji 74-13, Argentina 46-15, Scotland 30-3, Wales 49-6 in the semi final, and then France 29-9 in the final.

It’s a brilliant show that I’d highly recommend watching, so if you have an hour to spare, make sure you kick back to catch up on the last time the best team in the world won the Rugby World Cup.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    'A really poor imitation' - Shane Horgan...

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Top referee calls time on career following...

  • 48 WEEKS AGO

    2023 Men's Rugby World XV of the Year - The...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All