Ranking Greatest Rugby World Cup Final Moments

The Rugby World Cup has brought us a catalogue of inspirational moments over the past 28 years, and it's no surprise some of the most memorable ones materialised in the final itself.

New Zealand and Australia are on a collision course this Saturday as they each bid to become the first nation ever to win three World Cups, and each have provided huge excitement since the inaugural contest in 1987.

Fans can only hope this weekend's Twickenham showdown gives us a host of new final memories, and, here, we provide a look at some of the greatest to date.

Honourable Mention: Nigel Owens Appointed First Openly Gay Final Referee

Michel Euler/Associated Press

Nigel Owens' first Rugby World Cup final appointment gets an honourable mention due to the fact it hasn't actually happened yet, but the official will make sporting history when he takes charge at Twickenham on Saturday.

In doing so, the Welshman will become the first openly gay referee to officiate such an occasion, and former British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan believes Owens is the best man for the job, per his Daily Telegraph column:

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Under the pressure that this tournament naturally generates, I think the officials have done exceptionally well, but it is just that Owens has done the best. On Saturday, we will have, in New Zealand and Australia, the best two teams appearing, as well the best referee, in Owens. It should be the perfect finale.

It is undoubtedly the correct decision for Owens to be refereeing. And it is not a surprise because, since he took charge of the New Zealand versus South Africa Test in Johannesburg in 2013, which, with its thrilling 38-27 victory for the Blacks, was probably the best game of the last decade, it has been obvious that he is at the very front of this current crop of officials.

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While giving this watershed moment its deserved time in the spotlight, it's important one also doesn't put too much emphasis on Owens' orientation, as it's ultimately his refereeing talent that secured him the job.

That being said, it's encouraging to see rugby embracing diversity and unity with such a decision, escaping the shackles of any brutish stereotypes as a sport to promote the right viewpoint on the matter.

5. Elton Flatley's Cool Nerve in 2003 Final

The 2003 Rugby World Cup final is largely remembered for one particular kick from victors England, but Australia's Elton Flatley often gets forgotten for an effort that was, in a way, just as important.

The Wallabies trailed 14-11 heading into the final minute of normal time, and despite missing a couple of efforts already that day, it was centre Flatley who stepped up to force extra-time under crushing pressure.

Flatley spoke to ESPN Scrum's Sam Bruce and detailed the mechanics of that game, particularly how confidence came to have a major impact on his success from the tee:

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The first kick I was actually pretty nervous; I was at the stage where I didn't really get nervous kicking anymore but that kick I was definitely a bit nervous. The technique of the kick—if you have a look at it—was pretty horrible. As I kicked, my head was up looking where the ball was going and, thank God, it did go through the posts. That was a great sense of relief actually; there wasn't a lot of air-punching.

But the second one and obviously the last one, I was very confident and that was really a very nice kick off the boot with good technique; it was a much sweeter kick and far more confident than the first one. But in the end, the same result.

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Flatley brought the scores level once again in extra-time at 17-17, but it was a certain England No. 10 who had the last laugh.

Having said that, it never would have gone for 20 extra minutes in 2003 were it not for Flatley holding his nerve with an 80th-minute strike that almost brought Australia back-to-back World Cups.

4. France Face Down the Haka

The haka is something of an oddity in world rugby; New Zealand's unique pre-match war cry has been treated with both respect and disdain by teams down the years, with differing results.

Before the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, France chose not to merely stand back and take in the intimidatory tactic, but instead, they marched down upon it.

A positive end result didn't come about for Les Bleus as they suffered an 8-7 defeat, but their tactic provided the world with a stop-and-stare moment for the ages.

At the very least, France can take come solace in claiming the smallest-ever losing margin from a final.

3. New Zealand End 24-Year World Cup Wait

The All Blacks are one of rugby's most respected institutions, signified by their constant ability to challenge for the top finishing places at the Rugby World Cup every four years.

This year's final puts New Zealand on the cusp of becoming the first nation ever to clinch successive Webb Ellis trophies, and no country has made it to the final four of the tournament more than the Kiwis (seven).

However, the All Blacks had to endure a 24-year wait between World Cup triumphs, winning the first competition back in 1987 before claiming their second four years ago.

The 2011 victory over France was particularly special as it saw third-string fly-half Stephen Donald come on for Aaron Cruden—filling in for injured Dan Carter—and score the penalty that ultimately saw them across the line.

2. Jonny Wilkinson's 2003 World Cup-Winning Drop Goal

Of course, the most famous of the previously mentioned kicks in the 2003 final is Jonny Wilkinson's 100th-minute drop goal against the Wallabies, the score that saw England clinch their first Rugby World Cup.

Lote Tuqiri and Jason Robinson scored first-half tries for Australia and England, respectively, but the fixture eked into a tense showdown bereft of many gaping try chances in the second half.

With the scores perched at 17-17 in extra-time, England's pack provided the foundation for their last-minute lunge up the pitch, with substitutes Jason Leonard and Lewis Moody having their hand in that regard.

Ultimately, the plaudits will rest deservedly with Wilkinson, considering it was he who had to steady what must have been rattling nerves to ping his 25-metre kick over on his less-favoured right foot.

To this date, that victory is the only World Cup ever won by a northern-hemisphere team and will remain so until 2019 at the earliest.

1. South Africa United, 1995

June 24, 1995, will always be chronicled as a date where the power of sport was so sweetly exemplified in bringing post-apartheid South Africa together under a unified front.

The image of Nelson Mandela handing that year's Webb Ellis trophy to Springboks captain Francois Pienaar served as a symbol in itself as to how far the nation had come, past the game and tournament itself.

Former Springbok Chester Williams played a part in the 15-12 extra-time defeat of New Zealand, and he spoke to ESPN Scrum's Tom Hamilton earlier this year, insisting the win meant more than a mere rugby crown.

He said: "It showed what we can achieve—if we stand together, [we] are a powerful nation. Sport is powerful which is why the World Cups in the various sports are so important. That brings memories, brings people together, helps them communicate and build newfound respect."

Rugby isn't unique in these instances, and one can only hope the sport progresses to create even more breakthroughs of this nature, but South Africa's 1995 win transcended the result and thus should be celebrated.