After New Zealand demolished Italy at the very first World Cup match in 1987, the tournament needed a boost. It came in very next game, as Scotland and France played out the first classic encounter in the tournament’s history with a 20-all draw that had everything.
The first try came from a huge Scotland lineout thrown into the centre of the field, with Finlay Calder pouncing on the scraps and passing off to Derek White who showed great speed to score.
France hit back with some wonderful running rugby, crossing for three tries and perhaps should have had four.
Patrice Lagisquet thought he’d scored in the corner, but in an era without video referees the touch judge ruled that the Frenchman had touched the corner flag before getting the ball down.
Despite the setback, Les Bleus continued to be aggressive in attack. Serge Blanco caught Scotland napping by playing on while teammate Pierre Berbizier was down getting treatment. His try put France up 20 to 16 with just a couple of minutes remaining. With tries worth four points up until 1992, Scotland needed a converted try to win.
Mark Neil delivered the first part of the assignment with a well-worked team try, but it left Gavin Hastings with a tough conversion attempt. He missed and the first drawn game at a World Cup was in the history books.
Since that game there’s only been two other draws in World Cup pool matches.
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.
Old Bugger
Guest
ck Yes I was cheering for Messam but I started cheering for him as soon as the Chiefs got knocked out of the SR finals series. I was also cheering for 6 loose forwards when everyone, including yourself, were saying it won't happen. My bad was to suggest taking 4 props when the selectors chose to take 3 locks instead...bah - it's just semantics. I was cheering for Dagg & Piutau but hey, I concede to those who know - the selectors. When will you concede because even after the fact, you're still remonstrating about the selection preferring Laulala over Franks. The team's been named so its time to let go those fave's you're still rooting for and keep reminding everyone that the ABs do have a well balanced, youthful and experienced side to play in, this comp.
taylorman
Roar Guru
CK I'm not fussed either way, they're both good players. No one is right or wrong here. For me it's about the amount of risk. Hansen is well known to weight them up very thoroughly and may be right here, but any strike rate you are talking about is SXV only. He is not yet Savea like in terms of consistency in tests purely because he hasn't played them. He may be, he may not be. Who knows? You or Hansen certainly don't. We will just have to see how it pans out but certainly, Naholo will need to step up, and not just be a passenger on this trip.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Taylorman. I respect your opinion and usually disagree with NB but on this issue I believe he is correct. If healthy, which Hansen must be very confident he will be by the Georgia test, Noholo is potentially the best wing in the world with his amazing pace to go along with his size. His try strike rate is incredible and wing is the one position RWC history shows a rookie can become a superstar over night. NMS was brilliant for the Hurricanes and even better with the ABs. Piutau is in better form than Savea but would you really select him over Savea? No way. Hansen has never started Piutua at 15 and probably never considered him for starting at fullback. That was always Smith or Dagg.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Piutau missed out because NMS and Noholo are far more dangerous attacking threats at wing than Piutau. Hansen selected the best wings available, not the best utility.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Hansen said that Kaino would cover lock, not Vito which makes sense as Kaino is heavier, stronger, and plays a more physical and tighter game. Vito will focus on 6 and 8, as will Messam, while Kaino will focus on 6 and lock.
canadiankiwi
Guest
I hope all the players who missed out stay in NZ and play ITM Cup rugby.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Oh be honest- you are cheering the selection of Liam Messam!!! It is a feel good story after his 2011 axing and well earned for four years of good service. But I hope he finds his 2012-2013 world class form very soon.
canadiankiwi
Guest
OJ this is a fantastic squad! Hansen was brave and selected the outside backs with the highest strike rate for scoring tries- Savea, NMS, B.Smith, and of course, Noholo. There are a lot of All Black posters who do not seem to realize that Noholo started every match with Taranaki at LEFT wing last season and scored a league leading 9 tries to earn his Highlanders contract. Noholo is not a specialist right wing, he was moved to that side because Patrick Osborne was the incumbent at left wing. He can start on either wing. NMS is probably seen as a right wing, but he is a regular fullback for Hurricanes and along with Barrett who is fantastic at the back the ABs have lots of cover at 15 for Ben Smith. I am very relieved that Slade has been selected as the second 10 as he has RWC playoff experience and is the second best goal kicker, behind Carter, in addition to the best tactical kicking game. Barrett is best used when he comes off the bench to play 15 and give the All Blacks a second playmaker the last 20 minutes and he does not need to be responsible for goal kicking! Also very happy Hansen selected 3 hookers and 3 scrum halfs. No Russian roulette. cannot really disagree with the forward selections but would have preferred Nepo Laulala to be selected over Ben Franks as Laulala is a more powerful scrummager and ball carrier.
canadiankiwi
Guest
NB Waisake Noholo started at left wing for Taranaki last ITM Cup and scored 9 tries to lead the league. Noholo started at right wing for Highlanders this Super 15 and scored 13 tries to lead the league. Noholo is more than capable of replacing Savea if injured. In fact, Hansen's plan may be to start him their vs Georgia. We will see.
Old Bugger
Guest
And that winging hooker was quick enough to outstrip both the WB and SB backlines....he'll do me cos he can sea-gull as much as he likes, if he keeps scoring tries like those last two, he's scored.
Old Bugger
Guest
And again I'd emphasise that Sopa's loss was simply due to the NMS/Naholo selections. IMO, if Dagg and Piutau had been selected, I don't believe the utility position would require both BB & Slade. Because NMS/Naholo were chosen, I suggest the selectors then went for the extra cover of 2 x FH/utilities while Naholo's injury, improved over the first 3 pool games. The extra cover then comes into play for FH, wing and FB with further back-up, if needed, provided by NMS. To be honest, I suggest NMS is the wing/FB cover now - same as what Piutau and probably Dagg would've been, if chosen. I'm confident with these selections and cover provided by the FH's, wings and FB chosen.
James in NZ
Guest
They both shouldn't have bragged about getting high on goof balls together during the 2011 RWC.
taylorman
Roar Guru
As expected.. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/71572900/charles-piutau-unluckiest-all-black-to-miss-out-on-rugby-world-cup-squad
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well that's because oz has a prop that can play hooker where we have a hooker that can play winger! :-)
Jerry
Guest
NMS is a fullback, Barrett can play there too. Also, Vito is better at 8 than he is at 6.
Buzzard
Guest
I'd have Barricuda Buckman at 12 or 13!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Ellis was terrible in his one outing, just not up with the play. I'd say Hansen regrets even giving that chance let alone considering him here.
Buzzard
Guest
You know what sarcasm is NB?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes OJ 2007 went terribly with those two where they were both predictable and just tried to ram all day and got nowhere. Naholo is nearer to that style than Piutau and certainly NMS who is the sort you want to test the defensive holes through footwork and timing a bit more. That's my concern with Naholo, that he doesn't gain full confidence after the injury and doesn't reach the heights he did this year in a more safe environment. He may do, it's just whether the risk is worth it.