24 days to go: The Roar counts down to the Rugby World Cup

Wales have long been regarded entertainers at Rugby World Cup tournaments, but so often they’ve been the bridesmaids in thrilling, high-scoring matches.

The Welsh hold the unwanted record for scoring the most points (24) up until halftime without going on to win the game.

To be fair, the game in question was against the All Blacks in 2003, and Wales gave the favourites an almighty scare with tries to Colin Charvis, Sonny Parker, Mark Taylor and Shane Williams. The boys in red spread the ball at every opportunity, taking New Zealand on at their own game.

Wales led 34-28 after 48 minutes before New Zealand slowly wore down the resistance to win the Pool D encounter 53-37 in an amazing game of rugby.

History shows that Wales have the three highest losing scores at World Cups. The 37 mentioned against New Zealand in 2003, 34 against Fiji in 2007 and 31 against Samoa in 1999.

(31 was also the losing score by New Zealand against France in 1999 and Japan against Fiji in 2007.)

We wouldn’t be surprised if Wales scored big points again in the 2015 World Cup after they racked up 61 points against Italy on the final day of the Six Nations in March.

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.