| 10. Player: David Kirk |
| Match:
New Zealand v France final 1987 |
| It was the try that sealed the first
World Cup title, a perfect one two with Michael Jones from the base of the scrum back
inside to Kirk who darted in at the corner. A well worked move that paid off at the right
time and ensured New Zealand were the first world champions, scored by their inspirational
captain in the final. |
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| 9. Player: Alfred Uluinayau |
| Match: Fiji v France, 1999 |
| It was a game that should have given Fiji their greatest upset of their World Cup
history, but for two poor decisions by now IRB referee boss Paddy O’Brien. Uluinayau
hit the line at pace, managed to break the first tackle and get momentum, before a
wonderful step beat the French defence and sent him over for the game’s first try. It
was a moment of glory for Fiji, which deserved a better result. |
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| 8. Player: Gordon Hamilton |
| Match: Quarterfinal, Ireland v Australia 1991 |
| It was the moment Ireland thought they had won a place in the semifinals, only to have
Michael Lynagh rip it away from them in the third minute of extra time. A beautiful
grubber by Jim Staples beat David Campese and when Hamilton received the ball, his 40
metre sprint to the corner was enough to send Landsdowne Road into a frenzy. Not often do
youy see 40 metre runs from flank forwards, and if Ireland had kept the Aussies out, it
probably would have been one of the tries of the century. |
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| 7. Player: Stephen Jones |
| Match: Wales v England 2003 |
| An excellent try started and almost finished by the Welsh dynamo Shane Williams. The
little winger collected the ball from a kick just outside his own 22 metre area, turned
and stepped two players before sending Dwayne Peel downfield. Williams collected the ball
again two passes later, to juggle it and almost lose it, before regaining the ball and
passing inside to Stephen Jones for a sensational try. While England went on to win, it
showed just how dangerous Williams was with ball in hand, and will forever be remembered
by Welsh fans as a moment of glory. |
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| 6. Player: Jonah Lomu |
| Match: New Zealand v England 1999 |
| Like 1995, Lomu will forever be etched in the nightmares of the English side for his
powerful runs. In this one he had acres of space when receiving the ball and started to
pump the legs as Jeremy Guscott came across for the cover tackle. Not only did he beat
Guscott easily, he beat two more and powered his way over the line. While Lomu didn’t
run over anyone ala Mike Catt, his demolition job was just as impressive, prompting the
commentator to scream “its 1995 all over again” as the try was scored. |
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| 5. Player: Takudzwa Ngwenya |
| Match: USA v SA 2007 |
| Possibly the try of the 2007 World Cup. Zimbabwean born Ngwenya was a sensation in the
American Eagles team, and finished a beauty of a try that started almost on his own
tryline. After receiving the ball, he stopped then decided to take on 2007 IRB Player of
the year Bryan Habana on the outside, beating the Springbok speedster for pace and
precision as he left him for dead. It was a moment Springbok fans couldn’t believe,
and one that rugby fans across the world will savour for a long time. |
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| 4. Player: David Campese |
| Match: Australia v New Zealand 1991 |
| Campese was at his best, and came off his wing to slot in at flyhalf and take the ball
at amazing speed, running across the field and away from the All Black defence. Campese
was so good that the All Blacks never even came close. |
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|
| 3. Player: Serge Blanco |
| Match: France v Australia 1987 |
| In an epic ding dong match that was the highlight of the 87 World Cup, Blanco proved
why he was so highly rated in world rugby, taking the ball after the French turned over
possession and attacked with flair and gusto. Blanco had almost left the field and was
battered in a game that held nothing back, but had enough in the tank to sprint for the
corner to score the match winning try in the semifinal. |
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|
| 2. Player: John Kirwan |
| Match: 1987 Opening match, New Zealand v Italy |
| Considered by some to be the best individual try ever scored in a World Cup match, it
showed Kirwan at the height of his talent, as he carved up the entire Italian defence from
his own 22 to run the length of the field to score a sensational try. Fair enough, the
Italians were hovering on a 50 point loss by then, but it took vision, skill and speed to
score one of the most sensational tries in rugby history, and set the tone for the 1987
Rugby World Cup. |
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|
| 1. Player: Jonah Lomu |
| Match: New Zealand v England 1995 (2nd try) |
Poor Michael Catt. He will forever be remembered as the man Lomu bulldozered over in
Cape Town to confirm the All Black’s status as rugby’s first superstar. While
Lomu had already set the World Cup alight in 1995, the semifinal in Cape Town was his
crescendo.
Lomu received the ball from a bad pass, had to turn and collect, fend off Rory Underwood
before powering past Will Carling and finally over the unfortunate Catt. It was the most
memorable moment from the 1995 World Cup, and despite all the power and precision in Cape
Town, the Springboks found a way to stop him a week later. The fact that Lomu never scored
against the Boks remains a talking point today, while Catt will be one of the few who want
to forget the moment forever. |
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