Five great Rugby World Cup knockout wins

Springboks' hero from Saturday's nail biting win over Wales, Fourie du Preez, was among the try scorers in 2007 semi-final, but it was another of their present squad Bryan Habana who took the eye scoring two tries including a stunning individual effort chipping ahead.

Published : Oct 18, 2015 13:05 IST , London

France's thrashing by New Zealand on Saturday broke two unwanted records in the World Cup knockout stages.
France's thrashing by New Zealand on Saturday broke two unwanted records in the World Cup knockout stages.
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France's thrashing by New Zealand on Saturday broke two unwanted records in the World Cup knockout stages.

France's 62-13 thrashing by New Zealand on Saturday broke two unwanted records in the World Cup knockout stages — the margin of defeat and points scored by the winners.

Here are five other mismatches in the World Cup knockout stages (note — 1995 first edition when tries were worth five points):

1987 Semi-final New Zealand 49 Wales 6

Wales had defied losing several key players to reach the semi-final, but against a formidable All Blacks side they were exposed badly. Their frustration at the measure of the thrashing got to second row forward Huw Richards who punched an All Black in a lineout but was himself then knocked unconscious. His bad day at the office made worse as he was given a red card as he was stretchered off. Wales scrum-half Robert Jones summed up the bitter experience: "It is an extraordinary experience to play against a team which is so much better than you. Within two minutes we were in awe of them." The All Blacks went on to win the inaugural title while the Welsh bounced back to beat Australia in the third place playoff.

1995 Quarter-final South Africa 42 Samoa 14

Samoa had upset the established order for the second successive World Cup in reaching the last eight. However, the fairytale ended abruptly against the hosts, for whom Chester 'The Black Pearl' Williams -- the only black player in the squad — was the star of the show scoring four tries on his World Cup debut. He was the first Springbok to pull off such a feat and would share in their remarkable win against hot favourites the All Blacks. New Zealand's 48-30 win over Scotland was the previous record for points scored by the winner until Saturday's destruction of France.

1999 Quarter-finals South Africa 44 England 21

South Africa found their diamond in Jannie de Beer who tortured England — and their coach Clive Woodward who had said publicly 'judge me on the World Cup'. The god fearing fly-half scored 34 points with his boot including a record five drop goals which only added to the humiliation. Ironically the 'Boks were to lose to Australia in the semi-finals through a long range (believed to be from 48metres) wonder drop goal by Stephen Larkham. It was also the final Test de Beer ever played. Fortunately for Woodward he survived his bold statement and four years later England won the trophy ... thanks to a drop goal.

2003 Quarter-finals France 43 Ireland 21

A far happier memory for mercurial Frederic Michalak and a France side coached by Bernard Laport. This was the game where a 21-year-old Michalak announced his great talent in destroying the Irish — led by their 2001 world player of the year Keith Wood — as he toyed with them in open play and kicked 23 points. However it was not to be a sign of things to come as he disappeared in the semi-final loss to eventual champions England, who were to deny Laporte again in the 2007 semi-finals.

2007 Semi-finals South Africa 37 Argentina 13

Argentina had been the surprise packages of the tournament and in Juan Martin Hernandez, 'The Magician', a player of mesmerising talents and trickery. However, his magic deserted him and the Pumas were put to the sword by the eventual world champions. Their hero from Saturday's nail biting win over Wales, Fourie du Preez, was among the try scorers but it was another of their present squad Bryan Habana who took the eye scoring two tries including a stunning individual effort chipping ahead and, despite being obstructed, collected the ball and touched down. Argentina bounced back to beat hosts France for a second time in the tournament for third placed.

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