Which World Cup winning team overcame the toughest challenge?
Every World Cup winning team deserves its place in rugby’s pantheon. These nine squads, captained by eight men, representing just four nations, are totems of excellence. They are the grand masters of their sport. But they are not necessarily equals.
To put it another way, not every title run is the same. If one of Ireland, France, New Zealand, South Africa or Scotland lift the Webb Ellis Cup in Paris later this year, they’d have accomplished the greatest challenge this game has ever presented. Their side of the draw resembles Mordor while the other half, one containing England, Wales, Australia, Argentina and Japan, is The Shire by comparison.
With that in mind, and at the risk of angering fans around the world, I’ve ranked each World Cup winner according the hardships they faced in the tournament according to a simple scoring system, awarding one point for each of the following:
- If the World Cup was away from home.
- If the World Cup was outside of region (eg. European team in the southern hemisphere)
- If the team beat the previous champions.
- If the team beat best ranked team (author’s discretion)
- If the team beat hosts
- If the team beat reigning Five/Six Nations champions
- If the team beat Tri Nations/Rugby Championship champions
- If the team emerged from group of death (ie, three quality teams)
- For any victory over a tier one team (competing in that year’s continental competitions)
New Zealand 1987 – 4*
Admittedly, the very first champions would always lose out on some of the above points on offer, but the All Blacks’ march to victory was hardly Hannibal crossing the Alps.
They whipped Italy, Fiji and Argentina in the group stage, scoring 30 tries along the way, and then made mincemeat of Scotland, Wales and France in the knockout rounds.
David Kirk’s team pick up three points for these wins, another for getting the better of the reigning Five Nations winners in the final, but that showpiece game was the first real test for what was clearly the best side in the competition.
*Admittedly, this tally needs a caveat given the parameters of the scoring system.
Australia 1991 – 9
The Wallabies under Nick Farr-Jones might not rank alongside future iterations in terms of greatness on the field, but there can be no denying the arduous slog they had to endure to lift Australia’s maiden World Cup.
They beat Wales in the group stage before edging Ireland by a point in the quarterfinals. Next they beat the reigning champs and favourites, New Zealand, in the semi-finals, and proceeded to get the better of the Five Nations holders, England, in the final.
David Campese finished as the tournament’s top-try scorer and southern hemisphere rugby had officially underlined its status as the game’s epicentre of excellence.
South Africa 1995 – 5
There’s a reason the Springboks’ win just a year after the country’s first democratic elections is the only rugby story to get the Hollywood treatment. It defied belief and was a living example of what is possible when a nation’s divided people can come together for a single purpose.
Too bad it doesn’t score highly here. Francois Pienaar’s men lose out on points as their tournament was contested on home soil. They were also fortunate in that they played Western Samoa in the quarterfinals, rather than an established tier one nation.
But that was a consequence of beating the reigning champions Australia in the opening game in Cape Town. They pick up another point for edging France in a thriller in Durban and then the mighty All Blacks, unquestionably the tournament favourites.
Australia 1999 – 9
Another Australian victory across the world earns them four points and they collect another two for squeezing past the previous winners, South Africa, in the semi-finals thanks in large part to Stephen Larkham’s first ever drop goal.
Avoiding pre-tournament favourites New Zealand helped, but this was no simple stroll to the final. They beat three tier one teams along the way, including Ireland in Dublin, Wales in Cardiff and the reigning champions, South Africa, before they met France at the end of the road.
Once they got there, they took advantage of a knackered French team that had emptied the tank against the All Blacks the week before. Australia scored two tries and Matt Burke kicked 27 points in a one-sided affair.
England 2003 – 8
Martin Johnson’s side arrived in Australia as the supreme team on the planet, which served them well but isn’t helpful here. They’d already claimed a Six Nations grand slam and boasted several players who were the leading figures in their respective positions.
They made light work of South Africa in the group stage and then steamrolled Wales and France in the knockouts. Facing the hosts in the final would prove no easy task, especially as the Wallabies had just vanquished the All Blacks by 12 points in Sydney.
It was a tight affair which was settled by the second most famous drop goal in rugby history. Eight points on this chart is a decent haul, but it’s not good enough for a win. No doubt Jonny Wilkinson is fuming.
South Africa 2007 – 6
Like England in 2003, the Springboks of 2007 had a claim to being the most complete outfit around. 2009 was the team’s zenith, but an indomitable tight five, a dynamic back row, pace out wide, the world’s best scrum half in Fourie du Preez and Jake White’s simple game plan meant they had the tools to beat anyone on their day.
It’s a shame they weren’t better tested. Two wins over England – 36-0 win to start and then 15-6 in the final – hands them four points for beating the previous champions, but that’s as challenging as it got for the Boks as they avoided any other Six Nations or Tri-Nations team (Argentina, who were beaten 37-13 in the semi-final, hadn’t been included yet).
The Springboks would prove their pedigree two years later when they won both the Tri-Nations and a British & Irish Lions series. But at this World Cup in France, they hardly had to leave second gear.
New Zealand 2011 – 4
The All Blacks were on home soil. The All Blacks were the number one ranked team on World Rugby’s metrics. And though the All Blacks were beaten by Australia in the year’s Tri-Nations, the All Blacks were expected to finally end their World Cup drought.
So they did, but they made it far more difficult than it should have been, especially in the final where they almost bottled it (again) against France, clinching a one point win.
They first emerged from a treacherous group which included France and a spirited Tonga, but this was not the tournament’s group of death. They were blessed with a favourable draw in the quarterfinals against Argentina before seeing off Australia in the semis and then France in a nail-biter at Eden Park
New Zealand 2015 – 7
By now the All Blacks were firmly established as the greatest rugby team that had ever existed. They were in the midst of a 509-week stretch as World Rugby’s top-ranked side and could still call on the services of a large chunk of the squad that won the title four years before.
That’s not to say their victory was guaranteed as they’d need to travel across the world to England to reclaim their crown. They cut their teeth with group stage wins over Georgia and Argentina, now part of the Rugby Championship, before thrashing France in the next round.
A gruelling two point win over the Springboks in the semi-finals was the ideal tune-up for the main event against the Rugby Championship holders, Australia. It was there in Twickenham that Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Ma’a Nonu and the rest cemented their legendary status as the first team to claim back to back World Cups with a comprehensive win.
South Africa 2019 – 8
That South Africa were even contenders at the World Cup four years ago was a testament to the work done by Rassie Erasmus and his deputy, Jacques Nienaber, who inherited a disjointed team and turned them into champions.
They arrived in Japan with the Rugby Championship locked away in the cabinet but were reminded of the challenge they’d face when they lost their tournament opener to New Zealand. If they were to leave Asia with more silverware, they’d have to become the first team to drop points en route to the final.
Japan’s heroics in the group of death resulted in a relatively kind draw for the Boks who still had to perform to beat the hosts in the quarters. A scrappy win over the Six Nations champions, Wales, set them up for a final against England, who had just produced one of the most complete rugby performances in living memory, beating the All Blacks 19-7. Some pundits and former players were already etching England’s name on the trophy.
Instead it was Siya Kolisi who hoisted the golden trophy as his pack obliterated the English and Cheslin Kolbe turned Owen Farrell into a Ferris wheel.
Final standings:
Team – Year | Points |
Australia – 1991 | 9 |
Australia – 1999 | 9 |
England – 2003 | 8 |
South Africa – 2019 | 8 |
New Zealand – 2015 | 7 |
South Africa – 2007 | 6 |
South Africa – 1995 | 5 |
New Zealand – 1987 | 4* |
New Zealand – 2011 | 4 |
Comments on RugbyPass
What about changing the ball? To something heavier and more pointed that bounces unpredictably. Not this almost round football used these days.
35 Go to commentsThis is the problem with conservative mindsets and phycology, and homogenous sports, everybody wants to be the same, use the i-win template. Athlete wise everyone has to have muscles and work at the gym to make themselves more likely to hold on that one tackle. Do those players even wonder if they are now more likely to be tackled by that player as a result of there “work”? Really though, too many questions, Jake. Is it better Jake? Yes, because you still have that rugby of ole that you talk about. Is it at the highest International level anymore? No, but you go to your club or checkout your representative side and still engage with that ‘beautiful game’. Could you also have a bit of that at the top if coaches encouraged there team to play and incentivized players like Damian McKenzie and Ange Capuozzo? Of course we could. Sadly Rugby doesn’t, or didn’t, really know what direction to go when professionalism came. Things like the state of northern pitches didn’t help. Over the last two or three decades I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have all that Jake wants. There was International quality Super Rugby to adore, then the next level below I could watch club mates, pulling 9 to 5s, take on the countries best in representative rugby. Rugby played with flair and not too much riding on the consequences. It was beautiful. That largely still exists today, but with the world of rugby not quite getting things right, the picture is now being painted in NZ that that level of rugby is not required in the “pathway” to Super Rugby or All Black rugby. You might wonder if NZR is right and the pathway shouldn’t include the ‘amateur’, but let me tell you, even though the NPC might be made up of people still having to pull 9-5s, we know these people still have dreams to get out of that, and aren’t likely to give them. They will be lost. That will put a real strain on the concept of whether “visceral thrill, derring-do and joyful abandon” type rugby will remain under the professional level here in NZ. I think at some point that can be eroded as well. If only wanting the best athlete’s at the top level wasn’t enough to lose that, shutting off the next group, or level, or rugby players from easy access to express and showcase themselves certainly will. That all comes back around to the same question of professionalism in rugby and whether it got things right, and rugby is better now. Maybe the answer is turning into a “no”?
35 Go to commentsWow, didn’t realise there was such apathy to URC in SA, or by Champions Cup teams. Just read Nick’s article on Crusaders, are Sharks a similar circumstance? I think SA rugby has been far more balanced than NZs, no?
2 Go to commentsBut here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.
15 Go to commentsIt could be coincidental or prescient that the All Blacks most dominant period under Steve Hansen was when the Crusaders had their least successful period under Todd Blackadder and then the positions reversed when Razor took over the Crusaders.
15 Go to commentsDefinitely sound read everybodyexpects immediate results these days, I don't think any team would travel well at all having lost three of the most important game changers in the game,compiled with the massive injury list they are now carrying, good to see a different more in depth perspective of a coaches history.
3 Go to commentsSinckler is a really big loss for English rugby.
1 Go to commentsThanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause
15 Go to commentsNo way. If you are trying to picture New Zealand rugby with an All Blacks mindset, there have been two factors instrumental to the decline of NZ rugby to date. Those are the horror that the Blues have become and, probably more so, the fixture that the Crusaders became. I don’t think it was healthy to have one team so dominant for so long, both for lack of proper representation of players from outside that environment and on the over reliance on players from within it. If you are another international side, like Ireland for example, sure. You can copy paste something succinct from one level to the next and experience a huge increase in standards, but ultimately you will not be maximizing it, which is what you need to perform to the level the ABs do. Added to that is the apathy that develops in the whole game as a result of one sides dominance. NZ, Super, and Championship rugby should all experience a boom as a result of things balancing out. That said, there is a lot of bad news happening in NZ rugby recently, and I’m not sure the game can be handled well enough here to postpone the always-there feeling of inevitable decline of rugby.
15 Go to commentsNo SA supporter miss Super Rugby - a product that is experiencing significant head wind in ANZ - the competition from rival codes are intense, match attendance figures are at a historical low and the negativity of commentators such as Kirwan and Wilson have accelerated the downward spiral in NZ. After the next RWC in 2027 sponsors will follow Qantas and start leaving in droves.
2 Go to commentsLike others, I am not seeing the connection between this edition of the Crusaders and the All Blacks future prospects under Razor. I think the analysis of the Crusaders attack recently is helpful because Razor and his coaching team used to be able to slot new guys in to their systems and see them succeed. Several of Razor’s coaches are still there so it would be surprising if the current attack and set piece has been overhauled to a great extent - but based on that analysis, it may have been. Whether it is too many new guys due to injuries or retirement or a failure of current Crusaders systems is the main question to be answered imo. It doesn’t seem relevant for the ABs.
15 Go to commentsharry potter is set in stone. he creates stability and finishes well. exactly what schmidt likes. he’s the ben smith of australian rugby. i think it could quite easily be potter toole and kellaway for the foreseeable future.
5 Go to commentsThis is short sighted from Clayton if you ask me, smacks of too much preseason planning and no adaptability. What if DMac is out for a must win match, are they still only going to bring their best first five and playmaker on late in the game? Trusting the game to someone who wasn’t even part of planning (they would have had Trask pinned in as Jacomb preseason). Perhaps if the Crusaders were better they would not have done this, but either way imo you take this opportunity to play a guy you might need starting in a final rather than having their 12th game getting comfortable coming off the bench.
1 Go to commentsThanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.
21 Go to commentsWhat a load of bollocks. The author has forgotten to mention the fact that the Crusaders have a huge injury toll with top world class players out. Not to mention the fact that they are obviously in a transition period. No this will not spark a slow death for NZ rugby, but it does mean there will be a new Super Rugby champion. Anyone who knows anything about NZ rugby knows that there is some serious talent here, it just isn’t all at the Crusaders.
15 Go to commentsI wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
5 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
7 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to comments