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.
rebel
Guest
We've all seen it, glad you admit to it. Now tr0ll off somewhere else.
Hoppers
Guest
+2 for the record
Wolfpack
Guest
25m viewers in Japan watched their game vs Samoa. Thats unbelievable numbers and is a record
MH01
Guest
Lol Peter, that makes sense now....
PeterK
Roar Guru
no sense of humour I see rebel
Lostintokyo
Guest
Fantastic RWC. And what England failed to do on the pitch is compensated for by their support for all the games. Every game near full house and great games too. A feast of rugby. Hope the party continues from the quarters till the fat lady sings.
rebel
Guest
What's that got to do with the Welsh match that David was talking about?
Connor Bennett
Editor
I watched most of the Pool stages and watching the lower tiered nations was great, because they played with a 'nothing to lose' kind of attitude they put on some of the more entertaining clashes. It's great to see some kind of reduction in the gap between the major nations and the lower teams, although still massive gap, it has decreased nonetheless
Connor Bennett
Editor
Bravo to the forever struggling English minnows for at least winning a game?
Cortez
Roar Rookie
I can't believe I'm posting this but I agree with you David. Brushing off the minnows because they have foreign players is very short sighted. I can't see how a Tier 2 nation doing well, regardless of who is playing for them, can do anything other than help grow the game within that country. I would love to think that school children in countries like Japan, Uruguay and Georgia were inspired by their national team doing their country proud. And maybe a few of them will take up the beautiful game and be representative players at a World Cup in 12, 16 or 20 years time. I for one am very happy to see the gap closing. Growing the game by including Tier 2 nations will only improve their quality and depth, and the spectacle of future World Cups. It may not happen by in every nation by 2019, but this is the long game World Rugby is playing and it couldn't be more important.
PeterK
Roar Guru
because england are a minnow and did so well to stay in the match
PeterK
Roar Guru
eddy jones from aust for japan, the head coach of fiji and aussie
David Lord
Expert
Richard, that's a negative attitude. It would be great for international rugby if more countries reached the RWC final. In seven Cups only five nations have made it to the decider: All Blacks three times, won twice. Wallabies three times,won twice. England three times, won once. France three times, losing the lot. And South Africa twice, winning both. On that basis you could rate Scotland, Wales, and Ireland as RWC minnows. In seven attempts Wales has reached the semis twice in 1987 and 2011, Scotland just once in 1991, but Ireland's never been there. So any time Italy, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, USA, Canada, Japan, Romania, Georgia, Uruguay, and Namibia - all minnows - can dramatically improve with the help of good coaches from New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, the better off international rugby will be.
Leister Stewart
Guest
Because David thinks Australia are minnows!
rebel
Guest
Agree, a little bit confused about this article, is it minnows or just best achievements. Why is Aust mentioned in an article about over achieving minnows.
The Battered Slav
Guest
haha, yeah right. The fact that the biggest winning margin barely exceeded 50 points is fairly notable I would think. Remember the last league world cup, where a semi final had a winning margin 64 points...in a semi final. The four best teams. Riiiight. Enjoy your joke of a 'world cup' and slink away now Kev.
tc
Guest
dustby The stats say differently, now wee man run away back to league where your game is going global, NOT.
MH01
Guest
Aside from Japan beating SA, this article has nothing to do with the headline,
richard
Guest
Well,it's relative.They have improved insomuch as they are keeping the scores down.
kris
Guest
calling these teams minnows is an old age philosophy........