It didn’t take long for the Webb Ellis Cup to get an Australian nickname.
The 38-centimetre trophy known as ‘Bill’ in these parts is steeped in tradition, from the first time it was hoisted by All Blacks captain David Kirk in 1987.
The trophy is of course named after William Webb Ellis, the boy who may or may not have picked up a ball and run with it on Rugby School’s hallowed grounds during a game of ‘normal’ football in 1823.
Whether or not he helped create a new sport on that day, his legend lives on through a mighty impressive trophy.
Weighing in at four-and-a-half kilograms, the gilded silver masterpiece is a 1906 design made by Garrard & Co, which was inspired by a Paul de Lamerie piece from the 1730s.
Cup and Cover Marked by Paul de Lamerie, England (London), 1736-7 (V&A Museum, Wikipedia Commons)
De Lamerie is described by the Victoria and Albert Museum as “the greatest silversmith working in England in the 18th century.”
The cup as we know it now was commissioned by the then-International Rugby Football Board after organisers of the first World Cup, John Kendall-Carpenter and secretary Bob Weighill, visited the jeweller Garrad & Co looking at potential trophies.
The design was officially chosen in February 1987 ahead of the tournament in May. A replica trophy was also produced and is used interchangeably alongside the 1906 original.
Just four countries have had the honour of hoisting the Cup as winners: Australia (1991, 1999), New Zealand (1987, 2011) and South Africa (1995, 2007) twice, and England (2003) once.
Who will wrap their hands around ‘Bill’ in 2015?
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.
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