Five Great Games

FRANCE 30 AUSTRALIA 24 (1987 Semi-Final)
France's knack of pulling off incredible World Cup fightbacks began at the very first tournament when it came from behind three times to beat favourite Australia in Sydney.

With the scores level at 24-24, extra-time appeared inevitable until France scored arguably the finest try in World Cup history.

Starting deep within their half, the French ran the ball through the hands of 11 players before Serge Blanco powered over in the corner.

Australia had earlier led 9-0 and 15-12 but No.10 Michael Lynagh missed kickable chances to boot them further in front.

ENGLAND 25 AUSTRALIA 22 (1995 Quarter-Final)
The match that will forever be remembered for Rob Andrew's last-gasp winning drop goal from 50 yards.

It may not have been one for the purists, but as sporting nail-biters go it is right up there.

England was looking for revenge for its defeat in the final four years earlier and looked set to get it when it led 13-6 at half-time thanks to Tony Underwood's superb try.

But Australia had never lost to England outside the northern hemisphere and drew level barely a minute after the restart as Damian Smith chased down a kick ahead and touched down.

Andrew and Lynagh then traded penalties as the game finished 22-22 after 80 minutes. Then came Andrew's moment of inspiration.

FRANCE 43 NEW ZEALAND 31 (1999 Semi-Final)
The greatest World Cup game and one of the best rugby matches of all time.

Even now, it almost defies belief how France managed to come back from 24-10 down against a New Zealand side that had swept all before it.

Victory was inspired by five-eighth Christophe Lamaison, only in the side due to an injury to Thomas Castaignede, and he scored the first try.

However, Jonah Lomu twice powered over before half-time as the All Blacks assumed total command.

Two drop goals and two penalties from Lamaison cut the deficit before France unleashed its full array of attacking skills to score three breat-htaking tries and stun New Zealand into submission.

NEW ZEALAND 53 WALES 37 (2003 Group Stage)
What could have been the greatest of all World Cup upsets is no less worthy of mention despite Wales ultimately failing to pull it off.

The game was a feast of running rugby as Wales stayed faithful to its principles, matching the All Blacks for attacking brilliance.

There were 12 tries in total, New Zealand scoring eight of them.

But they were made to fight all the way as Wales took a 37-33 lead early in the second half before the All Blacks regained their composure and pulled clear.

ENGLAND 20 AUSTRALIA 17 (2003 Final)
Despite a number of great games down the years, the World Cup had failed to provide a fitting final, with matches either too one-sided or simply insipid affairs.

England and Australia changed all that four years ago in a thrilling encounter at Sydney's Telstra Stadium.

The heart-stopping Jonny Wilkinson drop goal just 26 seconds from time - in extra-time - was merely the icing on the cake of what was a titanic struggle from the moment Lote Tuqiri gathered a crossfield kick to touch down for Australia.

England responded like a champion, Jason Robinson finishing a flowing move in the corner.

Wilkinson and Elton Flatley then traded penalty after penalty, the latter slotting a controversial last-gasp effort to take the game to extra-time.

The rest is history.