The absence of a major competition involving the oval-shaped ball was thoroughly felt during the late 20th century. Despite the sport evolving for a century, its dominant forces felt the deprivation of a global competition.
The dream of a major global tournament became reality when a motion was carried during the annual IRB board meeting at Paris in 1985. It was decided that Australia and New Zealand would be the host nations in the inaugural edition which was to be held in two years’ time. The trophy was named after William Webb Ellis, who is considered as the founder of the modern sport.
The first tournament featured 16 teams in 4 pools. 7 places were filled by the IRFB members, New Zealand, Australia, France, Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland. It did not comprise of a qualification process and invitations were sent to the 9 remaining teams which were Argentina, Fiji, Italy, Canada, Romania, Tonga, Japan, Zimbabwe and the US. 32 games were played, 20 across 9 venues in New Zealand which included the opening match and the finals while 12 contests were held in 2 venues Down Under.
Most of the matches in the tournament were seemingly one sided as the giants of the game proved to be too strong for the minnows. The eventual champions New Zealand fielded one of the greatest All Blacks sides in history. Led by scrumhalf David Kirk, the ferocious unit was blessed with the strengths of greats such as hooker Sean Fitzpatrick, winger John Kirwan, fly half Grant Fox, centre Joe Stanley flanker Micheal Jones whose mastery mesmerized the world stage. Their relentless domination in every game seemed too much for their opponents,as they went on to seal the ultimate prize for the nation.
All Blacks Rout the Azzurri
On 22nd May, Eden Park in Auckland hosted the first ever RWC game between hosts New Zealand and Italy. The match was a reflection of All Blacks superiority as they annihilated the Italians by 70-6 after leading 17-3 at half time. Kirwan, Kirk and Craig Green scored two tries each while Grant Fox converted 8 tries and two penalties.
A Thriller at Christchurch
When France met Scotland at Lancaster Park in a Pool 4 game on 23rd May, Scotland opened the scoring through Derek White with long throw from a line out before leading at 13-3 at the half. France later got back into the game to make it 10-16 with a similar throw and a perfect move to force a try by centre Philippe Sella, who thereby equaled the French record for most tries with Serge Blanco. Another try by scrumhalf Pierre Babizier reduced the deficit to 14-16. After a brilliant run from Patrice Lagisquet resulted in a disallowed try, the eventual 22-metre restart ended with a sublime try by the celebrated fullback Serge Blanco who himself converted it to give France the lead at 20-16. However the Scotsmen weren’t done yet and their resilience during injury time created a try scoring pass by Derek White to winger Matt Duncan to equalize. A rather difficult conversion, which was also the last kick of the game, was missed by Gavin Hastings as the match ended 20-20 at the final whistle.
The Powerhouses Tyrannize the Pools
Co-Hosts Australia topped Pool A, with wins over England (19-6), USA (47-12) and Japan (42-23) followed by England who had two wins over Japan (60-7) and USA (34-6).
Wales and Ireland qualified from Pool B while New Zealand ran riot, amassing 190 points with massive wins over Italy (70-6), Fiji (74-13) and Argentina (46-15) in Pool C. Fiji claimed the second place behind them.
In Pool D, France and Scotland booked their place in the quarters with equal points (5) but France held the top spot having scored more points in the matches.
Group Champions Continue their Ascent
During the quarterfinal stage, all four leaders from the respective groups resumed their journey towards the top. New Zealand assured their semifinal spot with a 30-3 win over Scotland while Wales beat rivals England 16-3 at Brisbane to face the All Blacks in a week’s time. France and Australia secured their places with comfortable wins over Fiji (31-16) and Ireland (33-15) respectively.
Blanco’s Moment, Australia’s Waterloo
It was perhaps the moment of the tournament. Having already witnessed too many one sided affairs, the World Cup needed some fight. And as ardent fans gathered at Concord Oval in Sydney expecting a cracker between hosts Australia and France, the two sides did not disappoint. A marginal (9-6) lead by Australia at the half, displayed signs of a tussle that would go down to the wire. As expected, the scores were level 24-24 at the dying stages of the match, with both teams looking to find an opening. The moment came when the French assault took the upper hand through a scrappy play by Australia. Centre Denis Chavet making his run on the right corner switched the play back to the left when scrumhalf Berbizier’s long cut-out pass found Lagisquet who gained few yards before Laurent Rodriguez passed to Serge Blanco who beat four defenders and scored a fantastic try at the left corner. Didier Camberabero’s conversion sealed a memorable 30-24 victory for France in this mouthwatering semifinal.
New Zealand Submerge France to Reach the Pinnacle
On 20th June, Auckland welcomed the two finalists New Zealand and France as 46,000 spectators gathered at Eden Park to watch the inaugural RWC final. The confident All Blacks were fittingly placed and in line to win the title especially after their semifinal trouncing of Wales. France on the other hand were trusted to challenge the All Blacks after their last gasp win against Australia but they seemed overwhelmed from the start.
Kerry Fitzgerald’s whistle opened the proceedings as the All Blacks deployed a strategy using Grant Fox’s kicking. Fox’s 14th minute drop goal was followed by Michael Jones’s try minutes later. Fox converted the try, taking the score to 9-0 at the breather.
France woke up in the second half as a Camberabero penalty opened their scoring but the attack was momentary. New Zealand came out with staunch forwards and were backed by the faultless kicking boots of Fox. Tries by skipper David Kirk and John Kirwan took the score to 29-3, sending the game out of France’s reach. A consolation try by Berbizier was converted by Camberbero at the final kick of the game, leaving the final score at 29-9.
Despite the strength of the home team, the French were expected to confront the force but they looked humdrum, probably due to energy expended during the stunner against Australia. However nothing could have taken away from the impressive All Blacks outfit that deserved the highest honour on the biggest stage. Amidst the roar at Eden Park, David Kirk raised the Webb Ellis Trophy, relishing the moment for the All Blacks, a moment which wouldn’t taste for the next 24 years. Grant Fox scored most points in the tournament (126) while wingers Craig Green and John Kirwan planted most tries with 6 each.
