RWC semis down the years
It is true that Southern Hemisphere teams have dominated the semifinals in the eight Rugby World Cups so far, though hot was conclusively as they have dominated winning the competition where they will lead 7-1 after the end of the month. Overall the Southern Hemisphere leads 19-13.
It is a change from last year when the semifinalists were 2-2, the same four teams as played in the first semifinal of 1987 – New Zealand, France, Australia and Wales. On both occasions this combination produced the same finalists – New Zealand vs France, with the same winner, New Zealand.
1987
Results:
France vs Australia, 30-24
New Zealand vs Wales, 49-3
There were 16 invited teams at the inaugural World Cup, played in New Zealand and Australia in May-June 1987. In the quarterfinals, Wales beat England, Australia beat Ireland, France beat Fiji and New Zealand beat Scotland.
Both semifinals were played in Australia. The outstanding match of the 1987 Rugby World Cup was the one between France and the pre-tournament favourites Australia. It was a great match won in the last minute by a dramatic try scored by Serge Blanco. It would certainly be a candidate for the best World Cup match so far. The match seemed headed for a draw when Didier Cambérabéro kicked a penalty to take the score to 24-all. The crowd was expecting extra time when France won a turnover near their 22, Cambérabéro kicked downfield, David Campese was negligent and Eric Champ got the ball for his side. Some 11 pairs of hands later Blanco eluded Tom Lawton and swept over in the left corner, kneeling arms aloft in triumph.
In the other semi New Zealand gave Wales the biggest hiding it had received up till then, this after Wales had had a good win over England in the quarters. After 25 minutes New Zealand were leading 24-0 and the final score is still a record for a World Cup semifinal. The Welsh cause was not helped when Huw Richards punched Gary Whetton and was sent off. In between the punch and the sending off Buck Shelford dropped Richards and Richards had to be revived to be told that he was being sent off, and off he went on a stretcher. No action was taken against Shelford.
The extent of the New Zealand victory was remarkable as this was a talented Welsh side.
There were not big crowds for the matches by today's standards – 17 768 in Sydney and 22 576 in Brisbane.
Semifinals (A try was worth four points at that World Cup)
France vs Australia at Concord, The Oval in Sydney on 13 June 1987
Scorers:
For Australia:
Tries: Campese, Codey
Cons: Lynagh 2
Pens: Lynagh 3
Drop: Lynagh
For France:
Tries: Lorieux, Sella, Lagisquet, Blanco
Con: Cambérabéro 4
Pen: Cambérabéro 2
The Teams
France: Serge Blanco, Didier Cambérabéro, Philippe Sella, Denis Charvet, Patrice Lagisquet, Franck Mesnel, Pierre Berbizier, Laurent Rodriguez, Dominique Erbani, Eric Champ, Alain Lorieux, Jean Condom, Pascal Ondarts, Daniel Dubroca (captain), Jean-Pierre Garuet-Lempirou.
Australia: David Campese, Peter Grigg, Andrew Slack (captain), Brett Papworth, Matt Burke, Michael Lynagh. Nick Farr-Jones, Troy Coker, Simon Poidevin, Jeff Miller, Steve Cutler, Bill Campbell, Andy McIntyre, Tom Lawton, Cameron Lilicrap
Replacements: Herbert for Papworth, Codey for Campbell
Referee: Brian Anderson (Scotland)
New Zealand vs Wales at Ballymore, Brisbane on 14 June 1987
Scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Shelford 2, Kirwan 2, Drake, Alan Whetton, Stanley, Brooke-Cowden
Cons: Fox 7
Pen: Fox
For Wales:
Try: Devereux
Con: Thorburn
Teams
New Zealand: John Gallagher, John Kirwan, Warwick Taylor, Joe Stanley, Craig Green, Grant Fox, David Kirk (captain),
Buck Shelford, Alan Whetton, Mark Brooke-Cowden, Gary Whetton, Murray Pierce, Steven McDowell, Sean Fitzpatrick, John Drake
Replacement: Bernie McCahill for Joe Stanley
* Michael Jones did not play because the match was played on a Sunday.
Wales: Paul Thorburn, Ieuan Evans, John Devereux, Bleddyn Bowen, Adrian Hadley, Jonathan Davies, Robert Jones, Phil Davies, Richie Collins, Richard Moriarty, Huw Richards, Paul Moriarty, Anthony Buchanan, Kevin Phillips, Dai Young
Replacement: Stave Sutton for Richie Collins
Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia)
1991
Australia scraped home against Ireland in the dramatic quarterfinal when a late try by flank Gordon Hammond seemed to have secured Ireland a victory and then enjoyed some David Campese magic to defeat New Zealand.
England won a tryless semifinal over Scotland. The scores were 6-all when Rob Andrew kicked a dropped goal. There was more drama after the dropped goal when Gavin Hastings missed the easiest of penalties, slap in front of the posts.
Australia vs New Zealand, 16-6
England vs Scotland, 9-6
1995
Both semifinals were remarkable. The first one, between South Africa and France in rain-drenched Durban, nearly did not happen because of the water on the field. The start was delayed the match played in standing water. Ruben Kruger scored a try and James small stopped Beatify Benazzi right at the line.
The one the next day in perfect weather at Newlands was over as a contest after four minutes when Jonah Lomu went on the rampage.
New Zealand vs England, 45-29
South Africa vs France, 19-15
1999
Again both semifinals were remarkable. It took a rare Stephen Larkham drop in extra time to set up an Australian victory. It was the first dropped goal of his career in any form of rugby and he managed only one more.
The second semifinal produced the biggest World Cup shock before Japan's victory over South Africa in 2015. It was a brilliant game of rugby. Down 24-10 and looking well beaten France suddenly started running and star performances by Christophe Dominici, Christophe Lamaison and Olivier Magne contrived to run New Zealand ragged for a famous victory.
Australia vs South Africa, 27-21 at Twickenham
France vs New Zealand, 43-31 at Twickenham
2003
There were three tries scored in the two matches. Australia (Stirling Mortlock), New Zealand (Reuben Thorne) and France (Serge Betsen) scored a try each. The big winners, England, did not score a try but Jonny Wilkinson kicked five penalty goals and three drop goals.
Australia vs New Zealand, 22-10 at Telstra Stadium, Sydney
England vs France, 24-7 at Telstra Stadium, Sydney
2007
France who had knocked New Zealand out in the quarterfinal, succumbed to England's power in the semifinal.
England vs France, 14-9 at Stade de France
South Africa vs Argentina, 37-13 at Stade de France
2011
Wales suffered badly when Sam Warburton, their captain was sent from the field for a tip tackle after 19 minutes of the first half. Mike Phillips of Wales scored the only try of the match while Morgan Parra kicked three penalty goals.
There was only one try in the other semifinal, scored by Ma'a Nonu. Most of the points came from Piri Weepu's boot.
New Zealand vs Australia, 20-6 at Eden Park in Auckland
France vs Wales, 9-8 at Eden Park in Auckland
2015
New Zealand vs South Africa at Twickenham
Argentina vs Australia at Twickenham
Semifinalists
1987: Australia, France, New Zealand, Wales
1991: Australia, England, New Zealand, Scotland
1995: England, France, New Zealand, South Africa
1999: Australia, France, New Zealand, South Africa
2003: Australia, England, France, New Zealand
2007: Argentina, England, France, South Africa
2011: Australia, France, New Zealand, Wales
2015: Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
Number of semifinals
7- New Zealand
6 – Australia, France
4 – England, South Africa
2 – Wales, Argentina
1 – Scotland
