- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The pool stage at the 2015 Rugby World Cup will be remembered for the minnows, normally just there to make up the numbers, turning in some magnificent rugby.
It will also be remembered for tries outnumbering penalty goals, a feat in itself.
Here is the podium of medals awarded for performances in the World Cup so far.
Bronze Medal
The way Romania fought back from 15-0 down at the 52nd minute mark to beat Canada 17-15, playing some superb rugby, wins them the bronze.
No.8 Mihai Macovei scored in the 52nd and 73rd minutes, Florin Vlaicu converted both, and Romania had clawed their way back to to be down 15-14.
Vlaicu, who had missed his two previous penalty shots, raised the flags from 40 metres out with three minutes to go, and Romania had won 17-15.
The sheer delight shown by the Romanians and their jubilant supporters was the icing on the cake.
Silver Medal
To the Wallabies for their still unbelievable, but simply awesome, defence against all odds during the middle stages of the second half at Twickenham against Wales.
With the Wallabies leading 12-6 in a try-less clash that meant so much to both teams, a converted try would have given Wales a 13-12 lead that probably would have won the game.
But for 12 minutes Wales constantly bombarded the Wallabies to no avail, even though the Wallabies were down to 13 men for eight of those minutes, with Will Genia and Dean Mumm in the bin.
Through sheer guts and determination, the Wallabies kept Wales out despite the boyos crossing the line twice, but both were denied tries.
Bernard Foley later landed a penalty for a 15-6 win that sent Wales into the top half of the finals draw with the Springboks and the All Blacks.
Gold Medal
To Japan for their biggest win in international rugby, downing the Springboks 34-32 in their opening round.
But it was the way they did it that had Japan the talk of the sporting world.
Staying in touch all the way, Japan was down 32-29 right on full-time when they were awarded a penalty right in front. An honourable draw against a former World Cup winner would have been Japan’s biggest ever result.
But skipper Michael Leitch, in what was arguably the bravest decision in the history of Brave Blossom rugby, went for the try and the win.
Benchman Karne Hesketh came on in the 79th minute, and with his first touch of the ball in the 84th he was diving over in the left-hand corner for the winning try.
The crowd erupted, and the joyous scenes, with the tears that followed, will be forever cemented in rugby folklore.
Tries, now there’s a turnaround in World Cup rugby.
Normally penalties outnumber tries, but not this time. In the 40 pool games,there have been 231 tries, and just 176 penalties.
As most of the tries were spectacular and scored out wide, only 164 have been converted. Add three drop goals, and a total of 2020 points have been scored at an average of 50.5 a game.
Take those stats as you will – either great attack, or poor defence.
But for the 1,881,023 spectators who have poured through the gates, and the millions of television viewers in over 200 countries, this World Cup has been grand fare.
Fingers crossed the finals series will be just as rewarding.