ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

WATCH: 20 YEARS since the Wallabies last won the Rugby World Cup

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Friday Jul 12, 2019

As preparations begin to take shape for this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, World Rugby took a trip down memory lane to 20 years ago, the last time Australia lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy.

ADVERTISEMENT

It seems crazy to think that the Wallabies have yet to taste victory since then, although back then it was a side quite used to rising to the occasion.

Already winners of the tournament in 1991, the Australians – coached by Rod McQueen at the time – became the first nation to win two World Cups, since the inception of the competition in 1987.

Their opponents on the 6th November in Cardiff were the irrepressable, unpredictable French. Who could forget the journey of Les Bleus in the knock-out stages, particularly after Jean-Claude Skrela’s side had a solid but unspectacular progression from the group stages.

France had just stunned the All Blacks with that semi-final performance at Twickenham a week prior, while Australia saw off South Africa at the same venue on the day before.

Many tipped the French to go one better than their only other Final appearane – against New Zealand in 1987 – but it was Australia who lived up to their pre-tournament favourite status by dominating the match from the start.

Owen Finnegan scored a barraging try early on while Ben Tune added a second. Seven penalties and two conversions from Matt Burke versus four from Christophe Lamaison arguably won the match for the Wallabies (35-12) in the end.

ADVERTISEMENT

Australia reached the final on home soil four years later, but lost out to England and the boot of Jonny Wilkinson in that famous extra time battle.

Since then though, it’s been something of a barren run for the boys in the green and gold. Beaten again by England in the quarter finals in 2007, they finished third in 2011 by beating Wales before narrowly losing to New Zealand in the final four years ago.

The Wallabies and their supporters will be hoping that there is some sort of pattern forming ahead of the 2019 tournament. Third in 2011, second in 2015… Could 2019 be their year?

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 58 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Top referee calls time on career following...

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

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



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Sensational score at the Stadio Olympico

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

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

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 113 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 114 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 137 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

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

View All