It was a moment to cherish for the team for the Wallabies as a semifinal heartbreak 4 years ago was turned to jubilation at Twickenham, with the taste of the ultimate prize.
The staunch unit led by Nick Farr-Jones and spearheaded by the eventual player of the tournament David Campese, entered the tournament with their bitter rivals and defending champions New Zealand lurking behind them. Affectionately known as ‘Campo’, their superstar winger David Campese became the sensation of the tournament with his famous ‘goose step’ a move which left his opponents tottering.
The RWC moved to the northern hemisphere for the first time as the United Kingdom, alongside 2 other nations, Ireland and France hosted the second edition. Once again, 16 teams participated as the 1987 quarterfinalists were granted automatic qualification while the remaining 8 spots were competed for between 25 IRB members. Subsequently, all the teams from 1987, except Tonga featured in this competition as they were replaced by Western Samoa. 32 matches were hosted in 19 venues across the 3 countries.
Defending Kings edge Hosts
On 3rd October 1991, in the opening game of the campaign, pre-tournament favourites and co-hosts England were beaten 18-12 by the All Blacks at Twickenham as fullback Jonathan Webb’s kicking wasn’t enough to outclass the Jones-Fox combination of the All Blacks.
Samoans Shock Wales
Not only the shock of the tournament, but also one of the biggest upsets in RWC history came in the group stages when minnows Western Samoa beat the European powerhouse Wales at Cardiff. The determined men from the remote Pacific islands possessed a proficient line up with the likes Centres Frank Bunce and To’o Vaega, Pat Lam, Apollo Perelini and Winger Brian Lima who was known as ‘The Chiropractor’ for his vicious hits on opponents. The pre-match war dance ‘Siva Tau’ by the strong-willed side was only half the story. Brutal tackling by the Samoans left Phil May, Tony Clement and Ritchie Collins injured as an astounded Wales team merely survived the battle. A 3-3 score at the half changed when To’o Vaega opened the scoring in the 2nd half with his try that was followed by another by Sila Vaifale. Although Arthur Emyr and Ieuan Evans struck back with two tries for the Welsh team, the robust Samoan defense seemed too much as the final whistle sealed a momentous 16-13 victory, a result which saw the elimination of the 1987 semifinalists from the group stage.
A Mix of Favourites and Surprises to the Knockouts
Defending champions New Zealand topped Pool 1 with wins over England (18-12), USA (46-6) and Italy (31-21) while England held the second spot with wins over Italy (36-6) and USA (37-9).
Pool 2 was dominated by Scotland and Ireland who secured their places with comfortable wins over Japan and Zimbabwe while Australia led Pool 3 with victories over Argentina (32-19), Western Samoa (9-3) and Wales (38-3). Western Samoa, who shocked Wales, claimed the second spot in Pool 3.
Quarterfinal berths from Pool 4 were sealed by the 1987 finalist France and Canada. France posted wins against Romania (30-3) and Fiji (33-9) alongside a hard-fought win over Canada (19-13). The dark horses from the land of the maple leaf booked their name in the knockouts by beating Fiji (13-3) and Romania (19-11). So far it remains Canada’s best performance in a RWC.
A Hemispheric Battle to the Grand Final
The quarterfinals got underway with a brutal affair at Parc des Princes in Paris between England and France. Recalling the Anglo-French rivalry, the game became known for Mickey Skinner’s eye balling of Eric Champ. The fiercely competitive game ended 19-10 in favour of the English.
On the same day, the Western Samoan dreams were finally shattered by Scotland who registered a comfortable 28-6 win over the islanders. However the Samoans left Murrayfield with a standing ovation, something they deserved after a terrific run on the big stage.
New Zealand too sealed their place in the semifinal with a 29-13 victory over the surprise package Canada.
Australia’s Scare, an Irish Agony
Perhaps the most memorable showdown in the 1991 edition came down in Lansdowne Road, Dublin on the 20th of October during the quarterfinal between Australia and Ireland. It was a moment where the strong Australian side was pushed to the limit by the spirited Irish.
With two Campese tries taking the score to 15-12 in favour of the Wallabies in the dying stages, a break by the hosts saw Gordon Hamilton scoring a splendid try following a 40 yard sprint. Adding extra points, Ralph Keyes’ conversion turned the scores 18-15 in favour of Ireland. But before the celebrations began, Ireland conceded a penalty and the ever composed deputy Micahel Lynagh looked to set take the kick that would level the scores. But instead the Fly-half chose to take a quick tap penalty. The perfectly worked ball gave space to Tim Horan and Jason Little who found the hands of Campese amidst an astounded Irish defense. Campo’s leap, although short of the line provided him enough time to find Lynagh who went over for a famous victory; dejection for the Irish, elation for the Wallabies.
Wallabies Revel in the Final Dual
Over 56,000 spectators gathered at Twickenham on 2nd October, 1991 to see the two finalists, hosts England and Australia lock horns for the ultimate prize. The Aussies, after a thrilling clash against Ireland, didn’t see overwhelmed as they beat the defending champions New Zealand in the penultimate game 16-6. England on the other hand, squeezed pass Scotland in a close 9-6 win to reach the final, a match that was remembered for Gavin Hastings’ miss in front of the posts which could’ve changed the Scottish fate.
From the beginning, England’s open play led by their skipper Will Carling was equal to Australia’s solid defense which denied any threat. The game was deadlocked until the 27th minute when a Lynagh penalty opened the scoring and despite relentless ball possession by England, Prop Tony Daly scored for Australia following a break by the forwards which was later converted by Lynagh to take a 9-0 lead at the half.
At the hour mark, Jonathan Webb’s penalty finally put England on the score sheet but Lynagh’s second spot kick kept a safe 12-3 margin for the visitors. Later, in a dramatic turn of events, Flanker Peter Winterbottom’s pass to Winger Rory Underwood was knocked down by Campese. With a seemingly deliberate knock-on, English players were convinced they deserved a penalty try but instead Welsh referee Derek Bevan awarded a regular penalty, despite their constant appealing. Webb scored his second penalty but time remained the enemy for the hosts as Australia secured a momentous 12-6 win at the final whistle. It was their first title, and the second RWC won by a team from the southern hemisphere. Skipper Nick Farr-Jones and David Campese jointly hoisted the Webb Ellis trophy, savouring the moment they would taste again 8 years later. Irish Fly-half Ralph Keyes was the top scorer of the tournament with 68 points while Man of the Tournament David Campese and Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Lafond led the try scorers list with 6 tries each.
