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.
44bottles
Roar Guru
I actually am really confused as to what was the red card offence. I only remember a missed eye gouge as a talking point, and it wasn't from a kiwi.
Jerry
Guest
The one that allowed them a dodgy turnover that lead to their only try and the one that would have been a red card if spotted.
buzzard
Guest
@Stin.....which decisions are you talking about?
buzzard
Guest
Actually I forgot Bryce Lawrence in 2011 was the worst ever to ref in a RWC!
buzzard
Guest
2007 was rigged! There was no way the IRU wanted the host nation France gone in the 1/4 final so they placed the most incompetent ref going around in charge of that match. The rest is history. In 2011 Joubert was rated as one of the best refs in the world & he rightly so got charge of the RWC final. Keep BARNES away from any playoff games he's a liability to rugby itself!
Stin
Guest
France arguably jibbed by a couple of decisions that could've won them the 2011 final. Two way street.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Nah, more to do with any of that. AB's shouldn't need to rely on refs being correct. Its a fact that refs get things wrong either way, but the AB's should be able to put a game away so the uncontrollable's aren't ever an issue. Red or yellow cards, playing away, refs incorrect decisions- all those intangibles that affect most sides- they just get on with it and score. Three games stand out where they should have done more, and they know it. 95,07 and the 2011 final.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
just keep barnes away from the ABs and they will have a fair shot at it - how that man is still being appointed to top internationals beggars belief. .
taylorman
Roar Guru
Very good, 2011 did help put some demons to rest, especially for those of us that expected wins to come a lot more frequently after 1987, the win so convincing, and NZ rugby in some kind of explosion from 87 onwards that many thought we just needed to roll up every four years. That was how convincing 87 was. No side within 20 points. Then reality kicked in like a big black cloud and twice more we attempted to do an 87, 1995 and 2007... Again...totally convincing wins in every match until the eventual knockout. 2011 we were on track to repeat the 20 point margin of 87 until the semi, when oz sneaked lower than that margin in the semi, and we nearly lost the final. This year will be no different. Regardless of the lost tournaments, NZ will once again try to beat the margins of 87 right through the tournament, including the final. That's simply because that's what they know best. No one enjoys playing in the last minute when the games on the line other than the fans and sponsors. For the ABs that situation means they have not executed their game plan well enough during the previous 79 minutes. So a few more demons to be rid of here...win away, win the third and therefore most, but most of all, win the All Black way. Convincingly...they just can't help themselves.