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Martin Devlin - Source: ONE News -
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100 Days 'til the Rugby World Cup kicks off, welcome to the "Did you know department"...
Here are 24 key facts 'n' figures - one for every year it's been since an All Blacks triumph. Arm yourself with these to become king of all pre-tournament RWC trainspotters.
1. In terms of making semi-finals and finals, Australia is the most successful team ever, (Winners '91/'99, Runner-Up '03, S/F '87) while NZ and France are the only 2 sides to have made at least the semi-finals in 5 of the 6 tournaments. Thus far, (NZ W '87, R-up '95, S/F '91/'99/'03, France R-up '87/'99, S/F '95, '03, '07).
2. Only eight tries have been scored in all six RWC finals.
3. Only five tries have been scored in the last five finals.
4. No coach has gone back-to-back and led his team to consecutive wins.
5. Neither has any captain (does that mean bye-bye SA & John Smit 2011?).
6. Three players have won the RWC twice (Eales and Horan for Australia, du Randt for South Africa)
7. No back has captained a winning side since 1991.
8. No team has ever won the Tri Nations and RWC in the same year (does Mr Henry know this ahead of the upcoming Tri Nations?)
9. The winners of the 6 or 5 Nations have a great track record at that year's RWC, making at least the semi-finals on each and every occasion.
10. 16 teams played the first WC in 1987. There was no qualification process; it was all done by invite only, with Western Samoa missing out despite being a better side than many that were invited, e.g. USA, Zimbabwe, Japan.
11. In each tournament the winner has had to knock out the defending champ en route:
1991: Australia beat New Zealand (semi-final)
1995: South Africa beat Australia (opening pool match)
1999: Australia beat South Africa (semi-final)
2003: England beat Australia (final)
2007: South Africa beat England (final)
(2011 NZ, according to seedings, are scheduled to meet South Africa
in one semi-final)
12. New Zealand has never beaten Australia at a RWC (lost twice in semis, '91/'03)
13. Ireland is the only one of the Home Nations never to make a semi-final
14. The last three winners of the RWC haven't had to play New Zealand at any time in the tournament.
15. Of the five teams to have ever made a final, South Africa is the only side not to have lost one.
16. Australia and England have made the most finals with three each.
17. South Africa has won two finals without scoring a try in either of them.
18. Two finals have been won by drop goals '95/'03. Significantly both are also the only finals to have gone to extra time.
19. Only two host countries have ever won the World Cup (NZ '87, SA '95).
20. 2007 is the only time the All Blacks have failed to make at least the semi-finals.
21. England is the only country outside the Tri Nations sides to have won the tournament.
22. The All Blacks have never won any Test match by kicking a drop goal.
23. The only team to ever win a RWC on Eden Park is... guess who?
24. The last time the All Blacks lost a Test at Eden Park, Sonny Bill was not quite nine years old!
What do you think? Have your say on the messageboard below.
Read opinion pieces 100 days out from the Rugby World
Cup, written by our RWC experts.
Jeff Wilson: 100 days until the party
Buck Shelford: Stop the World Cup bashing
Keith Quinn: Back-history of RWC - part one
Andrew Saville: Lessons learnt from 2007
Add a Comment:
Post new commentiankiwinz said on 2011-06-08 @ 05:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
Living in the UK but looking forward to the RWC. Not sure if the All Blacks will win but what an opportunity to promote NZ and banish some of the dark memories of the ChCh earthquake and Pike River mining disaster.
african said on 2011-06-03 @ 12:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
Actually GoldEarth, I'm an Early Childhood Teacher. I break my back every day trying to make sure the youth of tomorrow are intelligent and capable enough to clean up the idiotic and greedy decisions of the baby boomers. The World Cup is another example of this. And Finlaay, if you actually look at the numbers, the financial benefits of the World Cup are short term. A couple of months afterwards and you won't have even noticed it's happened.
london leo said on 2011-06-02 @ 12:58 NZDT: Report abusive post
I can't believe that some people are like winging pomms. I'm a kiwi in London working, and I will be wearing my All Black Jersey with pride. Didn't we loose some of world cup a few years ago? All because some stadiums wanted to keep there own advertising? Can't remember 100% if anyone can enlighten me? but everyone moaned about loosing the games also! (BRING BACK BUCK!)
Chris I said on 2011-06-01 @ 17:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
Martin - for a trainspotter of your elk it's surprising your facts on the tries scored in finals is wrong. According to you only 8 in total and 5 since 1991. Therefore only 3 in the 87 final if my maths is correct. 3 for the All Blacks maybe but France did manage a late consolation try to Berbizier.
Cann River Bob said on 2011-06-01 @ 15:47 NZDT: Report abusive post
I agree with your comments Andrew. This year we will almost certainly have the Number 13 playing who should clearly have played in 2007 - Conrad Smith - and with him comes that defensive package and work ethic that invariably identifies WC winning sides. Unless the selectors go nuts again my money is firmly on the AB's.