Following on from my recent article on the biggest ever international boilovers, I have this time compiled a list of upsets that didn’t quite happen, confining my selection to those results that so nearly altered the course of World Cup history.
1987: France 20 drew with Scotland 20
A win for the latter would have seen them face Fiji in the quarter-finals and France play New Zealand, meaning we could’ve ended up with a Trans-Tasman final.
Of course, had it not been for Serge Blanco’s late winner for France against Australia in the semi-finals, we would’ve had a Trans-Tasman final anyway.
1991: Australia 19 beat Ireland 18
Michael Lynagh snatched a last-minute try for Australia in the quarter-finals, just when it looked like Ireland had stolen victory with winger Gordon Hamilton racing 40 metres to score with six minutes to play.
A win would’ve seen the Irish into the semis – a feat they still haven’t managed – before the likely England vs New Zealand final.
1995: South Africa 19 beat France 15
Hosts South Africa survived a late scare in their rain-sodden semi-final with France when Abdelatif Benazzi drove to the line and claimed he scored.
Had referee Derek Bevan agreed with him, it would’ve been a New Zealand vs France final and Clint Eastwood would’ve never made a film about it.
South Africa survived another scare in the final against the All Blacks themselves, going to extra-time, but on this occasion they were the underdogs.
1999: Australia 27 beat South Africa 21
What goes around comes around, and this time it was South Africa on the receiving end of an extra-time defeat.
Had they not lost to the Wallabies in the semis, they quite likely would’ve become the first double champions and back-to-back winners.
Alternatively, France would’ve got their first title. Meanwhile, Stephen Larkham described his winning drop-goal against the Springboks as a “fluke.”
2003: Australia 17 beat Ireland 16
The Irish almost fought back for an unlikely victory over hosts Australia, which would’ve put them into a more winnable quarter-final against Scotland, while the Wallabies would’ve played France and – surviving that – England in the semis.
Ireland themselves were lucky to survive Argentina in the group stages, while Scotland were almost stunned by Fiji.
Either result would’ve prevented what remains the only quarter-final line-up featuring all eight foundation members of World Rugby.
Also, what if Jonny Wilkinson hadn’t landed that extra-time drop goal for England in the final? Would we still be waiting for a Northern Hemisphere champ?
(Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images)
2007: Ireland 14 beat Georgia 10, South Africa 30 beat Tonga 25
Two upsets that would’ve rivaled Japan’s over the Springboks in 2015 almost occurred in 2007 with Georgia taking Ireland down to the wire and Tonga giving eventual champs South Africa an almighty scare.
Might that have encouraged the powers-that-be to add the Lelos to the Six Nations and the Islands to SANZAAR?
Fiji gave the Springboks another big fright in the quarter-finals, though a late surge saw the Africans home.
2011: Australia 11 beat South Africa 9
Patrick Lambie’s disallowed try against Australia probably prevented South Africa reaching the semi-finals, while in the semis themselves, Sam Warburton’s equally controversial send-off against France probably denied Wales a maiden appearance in the final.
In fact, the final itself went down to the wire, with New Zealand clinging on for the narrowest of victories against France.
Les Bleus would’ve been just the fifth nation to lift the trophy, in what was their third and closet attempt in the final.
2015: Australia 35 beat Scotland 34
Certainly would’ve been interesting if Scotland had beaten Australia in the quarter-finals because it would’ve meant a new World Cup finalist for the first time since South Africa in 1995, and probably that team would’ve been Argentina.
The Scots were certainly unfortunate, as replays appeared to show the Wallabies’ last-minute penalty had been given in error.
Still, it’s in the history books now, and that’s all that matters.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes, scintillating stuff.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes I recall the 10 fumble now, cost them badly. Great match though.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
You're welcome. Yes, those strips looking a little vintage these days!
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
& spare a thought for Italy who have played at all the World Cups, winning 11 of their 28 games, but have yet to progress from the group stages. In fact, they have won twice at every tournament this century, and came closest to reaching the quarters in 2007 when beaten 18-16 by Scotland in their final group game. A drop-goal would have seen them through, and they had ample possession toward the end as well but seemed intent on running it. It was a similar story in 2015 with a 7-point loss to Ireland keeping them, despite wins over Canada and Romania.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Bunce and Little were one of the great center pairings for sure. Stenseness and Clarke were fine attacking players but pretty much useless on defense. Don't think I ever saw a worse defender than Stenseness. On one occasion he actually stepped out of Umaga's way!
Rugby wizard
Guest
I think if you should ask blues fans who was the best winger for them between Lomu and Vidiri most will say Vidiri. Some players have been very unlucky especially in SA and NZL in the nineties too have played at the time they did any other time they would have gotten international caps or more than they got. Most noticeably Stensness and Eroni Clarke was good every season helping blues win titles but was behind bunce and Little.
AJ
Guest
No big one, I only remember because it felt weird that we couldn’t run him down. Big lumbering bloke he was. I loved our reply up the other end though. Great captaincy from Noddy and the classic move from the backs with bodies in motion and precision hands. Brilliant team. Thanks for the article Mate. I love seeing the pic of adidas wallaby uniforms from the 80s. Should revert to that colour again instead of the yellow/mustard of the last 20 yrs.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
South Africa have played in two finals, 190 minutes of rugby in total, and neither scored nor conceded a try.
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
Correct
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
True. Probably just wasn't reported in our press.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
They fumbled that one away, unfortunately.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
What's for certain is that the Pacific Islands are the only tier 2 teams that pose a serious threat to the big guns on a consistent basis. They, more than anyone, bring the tournament to life!
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Was he? Ok, my memory's a little vague. I had to check the name but neglected to check the position.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
I remember going down to Athletic Park in the early years of Super Rugby and thinking the Blues had put a couple of second rowers out on the wing. Lomu and Vidiri were two of the biggest men on the pitch! No wonder they kept winning . . .
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Pacific Islanders are made for rugby, that's for sure. Guiness Book of Records lists Tongans as the world's largest people, in fact. Not the tallest - that goes to the Dutch - but the heaviest. Tonga was never colonized, which is perhaps why. Samoans also have the highest representation per capita in the NFL.
Lindsay Amner
Roar Guru
Sure we're bad losers. That helps to motivate the ABs not to lose. But we're not alone in that. I think you'll find there was a massive outcry among French rugby journalists in 1995, just as there was in 2011. But unless you read French you don't see it.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Interesting idea. Who were the Rugby World Cup's "moral champions?" 87 Only NZ in the picture. 91 England? If only they'd played their natural game! 95 NZ - because Suzie! 99 SA - Bernie's droppie was a fluke! (Aussie won by 6, but we'll go with that) 03 Aus - England's fake blood subs that I just learned about . . . 07 England - Cueto scored! We wuz robbed! 11 France - Ref failed to patrol NZ's offside play 15 Only NZ in the picture
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
The Irish have not been lucky in rugby, and this year we see that the draw has been very unkind to them. To make their first semi this year they'll almost certainly have to beat either SA or NZ in the quarters. A year ago that would've seemed more than plausible. But they had a poor 6 Nations and the World Cup is always a very different story.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Yes there will undoubtedly be "should have beens" at this year's tournament as well. Hopefully Japan will go a step further and actually cause a couple more surprises. Fiji, as someone mentioned, could be a dangerous side this year as well, and I think we're all waiting for something really big from the Lelos. Their time will surely come.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Hate to say it, but we Kiwis are really bad losers in rugby. I guess it comes with being top dog and under so much pressure from the fans. I don't think I ever heard the French complain about their loss in the 95 semi-final. I was happy with the result in 95 personally, because the game needed a strong South Africa back in the fold. I was happy to see England win in 2003 as well, because the tournament needed a Northern Hemisphere champion.