New Zealand scored 48 tries in five matches and had the best points differential in Rugby World Cup history in 2007, yet they lost the quarter-final to France.
It was an unthinkable All Blacks loss and someone had to take the blame. Coach Graham Henry was one man in the spotlight and he had to convince those conducting a review that he was still the man to lead the All Blacks after so much disappointment.
Henry and his fellow coaching staff shifted the blame to referee Wayne Barnes, reportedly presenting video evidence to a review committee highlighting 17 errors Barnes and his assistants had made during New Zealand’s 18-20 loss.
The key errors in their eyes were the yellow card of Luke McAlister for blocking Yannick Jauzion, failing to spot a forward pass which led to a France try, and New Zealand failing to receive any penalties for the last hour of the match.
Such was the outrage at the time, there was even calls of match-fixing.
Captain Richie McCaw took aim at the IRB for allowing an inexperienced referee to be in charge of such an important match.
However, former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains defended Barnes, saying decisions in the game went both ways and that the team couldn’t blame a few refereeing mistakes for a loss.
Despite calls for Henry’s sacking, he was re-appointed. Henry and his All Blacks delivered four years later, meeting France again, this time in the final at home in New Zealand.
The 8-7 2011 World Cup final win helped put some demons to rest.
The Roar’s World Cup Countdown:
30. Grant Fox’s record 30 conversions from the 1987 World Cup
29. All Blacks claim the 1987 World Cup, 29-9
28. Tonga stun Italy with Sateki Tuipulotu’s boot, winning 28-25
27. 27 per cent of tries came from scrums in 2003 with Canada showing the value of the set piece
26. David Pocock made 26 tackles in a fantastic performance against South Africa in the 2011 quarter-finals
25. South Africa’s 25 wins from 29 matches at the World Cup
24. Wales scores 24 points in the first half against New Zealand but still lose in 2003
23. Nick Farr-Jones 23 wins as Australian captain including an historic 1991 World Cup win against England
22. The Wallabies notch a cricket score with 22 tries in a 142-0 thumping of Namibia in 2003
21. Georgia’s David Dadunashvili becomes the youngest (21) to start at hooker in a World Cup match
20. The first World Cup classic finishes 20-all between Scotland and France in 1987
19. 19-year-old George North becomes youngest World Cup try scorer in 2011
18. Since their first and only win Japan has gone 18-straight World Cup games without victory
17. New Zealand coaching staff present 17 alleged refereeing errors to explain 2007 loss
16. George Gregan and Jason Leonard involved in 16 wins each at World Cup level
15. Jonah Lomu’s 15 tries in 11 matches
14. Jonny Wilkinson’s 14 World Cup drop goals including his most famous one in England’s 20-17 win over the Wallabies
13. Philippe Sella’s fantastic career at No.13 with 13 starts for France at Rugby World Cups
12. The Wallabies record 12-game winning streak from 1999 to 2003
11. Fiji win 11 out of 11 lineouts against Wales during a stunning 38-34 win in 2007
10. David Campese’s 10 tries for the Wallabies at Rugby World Cups
9. Matt Burke’s 9 points per game average after an amazing 1999 tournament
8. Diego Ormaechea, at age 40, was the oldest number 8 to play at a World Cup
7. No.7 Michael Jones scores the first ever World Cup try
6. Marc Ellis’ record six tries in a match against Japan
5. Jannie de Beer’s five drop goals in a match against England in the 1999 quarter-finals
4. Michael Lynagh’s four tries in World Cup matches including his match-winner against Ireland
3. Cardiff has hosted World Cup matches for three tournaments and will make it a record four in 2015
2. Christophe Lamaison’s two drop goals in semi-final blinder
1. The Webb Ellis Cup.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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