Rugby: 10 Most Memorable Games in World Cup History (With Video Highlights)

What makes for a memorable match? 

Some would say a dramatic finish and others say a standout individual performance, while some prefer to see the underdog come through and upset the favourite.

The Rugby World Cup has produced matches containing all of these, making for some truly memorable encounters that will go down in history.

With the 2011 tournament merely a week away, what better time to look back on the past six tournaments and remember some classic matches that will forever linger in the memories of those who watched them. So prepare yourself for a trip down memory lane as we relive the joy, heartache and shock of the rugby's greatest tournament.

10. 1995 All Blacks vs Japan

We kick off this list with one of the two most one-sided affairs in Rugby World Cup history. The rampant All Blacks took on the Japanese in a mismatch if there was ever one. 

The All Blacks ran in 20 tries to notch up 145 points to Japan's 17. Simon Culhane converted every single one of these, scoring 40 points from conversions plus five for his one try. His total of 45 points in a single match remains a World Cup record.

Marc Ellis famously ran in six tries, but was later criticised by coach Laurie Mains for not looking to set up his wingers more.

Perhaps not the closest or most exciting game, but memorable nonetheless.

9. 1987 New Zealand vs France

Much has been made of the All Blacks choking at World Cups. So much, that it is often forgotten that they have indeed won a World Cup.

The All Blacks breezed into the 1987 final on the back of some dominant performances and were heavily favoured to beat France in the final.

After an average first half which saw them lead 9-3 at the break, the All Blacks came out and completely blew the French out of the park in the second half, scoring 20 points in a commanding display. The French scored a try in the dying minutes, but New Zealand were never in danger of losing this game, running out winners 29-9.

It was one occasion where the All Blacks didn't fail to deliver the goods, and it remains both a good and bad memory for All Black fans as the one time their team has one the World Cup.

8. 1991 Samoa vs Wales

At the time it was dubbed as the greatest game in Samoan rugby history. Indeed many still claim this.

The island men were given little chance of toppling one of rugby's superpowers in their pool game at the 1991 World Cup. In fact, Samoa weren't even present at the previous World Cup.

But Samoa had something to say about that. It was here that the world first saw the Samoans' physical defence, mixed with their flair out wide.

Halfback Matthew Vaega was key, scoring a try and kicking three goals, while the game also marked the emergence of the now-legendary Brian Lima. Future All Black legend Frank Bunce made his test debut and was influential, while future Samoa captain Pat Lam also made his debut here.

But it was as a team that they were able to topple the Welsh in the most unlikely of wins.

Twenty years later, 16-13 is still a score all Samoans are proud of.

7. 1991 Australia vs Ireland

Ireland entered this game as huge underdogs against a star-studded Wallaby outfit, but came oh so close to pulling off the most unlikely of victories.

Late in the second half, the Irish trailed by three points, before Irish flanker Gordon Hamilton broke away and scored a long-range try in the corner to give Ireland an 18-15 lead. The try is still regarded as one of Ireland's finest ever.

But it wasn't to be, as Australia worked their way down field and after a David Campese run, Michael Lynagh touched down to score the winning try.

Ireland were left heartbroken, but the game will forever go down as the biggest "almost" upset in Rugby World Cup history. 

6. 2007 France vs New Zealand

The 2007 All Blacks were billed as the strongest team ever sent to a World Cup. They entered the tournament as red-hot favourites and it was hard to see who was going to stop them.

Sure enough, they racked up some easy wins in pool play and entered their quarterfinal against France full of confidence.

No one gave the French a chance. 

What followed has become the biggest talking point of the rugby world over the past four years.

After a solid first half, the All Blacks led 10-3 and looked as though they would safely progress to the semifinal.

But a yellow card to Luke McAlister saw the momentum turn and the game became an even contest.

Frederic Michalak entered the game as an impact player, and what an impact he made. He would make a break that led to France's second try of the game, which saw the French take the lead and run out winners, 20-18. The try would prove to be controversial as many claim a forward pass in the lead-up to the try.

The loss marked the All Blacks' worst ever performance at a Rugby World Cup, being the only time they have never made the semifinals. 

5. 1987 France vs Australia

Starting to notice a theme here?

This time it was Australia who felt the wrath of the French flair, as the pre-tournament favourites were knocked out in what was the match of the tournament. 

It was a close game throughout, but with time almost up and the score at 24-all, it was going to take a special effort to clinch the game.

France dominated territory in the dying minutes, but couldn't break the Wallaby defence and it seemed the game was heading for extra time. With their last roll of the dice, the French gave the ball to their star fullback, Serge Blanco, who made a run for the corner and was able to touch down to give France a 30-24 win, booking a place in the final against the All Blacks.

4. 1995 New Zealand vs England

New Zealand entered their semifinal against England expecting a tough game. Brian Lochore can be quoted as saying, "They didn't have a weakness anywhere on the park."

No one told Jonah Lomu that.

It was this game that saw Lomu fully stake his claim as rugby's first global superstar. His destructiveness was key in the All Blacks' 45-29 win, scoring a mind-boggling four tries in what ended up being the most legendary individual World Cup performance of all time. 

He was simply unstoppable that day. 

England mounted a comeback, but the game was already well and truly won for New Zealand.

3. 2003 England vs Australia

The 2003 Rugby World Cup was billed as the northern hemisphere's best chance at winning the Webb Ellis Trophy. An experienced outfit, boasting a strong forward pack and wonder boy Johnny Wilkinson arrived in Australia to do what had never been done before.

And all went according to plan, as England progressed through to the final with relative ease on the back of some dominant displays. They were by no means pretty, but they sure were effective.

The final saw them come up against the host nation, Australia, who had upset the All Blacks in the semifinal. 

The game was a tight one, with nothing separating the teams at full time, the score being locked at 17-all.

This saw the game go to extra time, when Wilkinson kicked one of the most memorable dropped goals in rugby history to give England their first and only World Cup win.

The win remains the only time a northern hemisphere team has won the tournament.

2. 1995 South Africa vs New Zealand

The game that made a nation fills our No. 2 spot. Although if you ask a South African they will surely tell you that this isn't just their most memorable Rugby World Cup game, but most memorable game in sports history.

The heavily favoured All Blacks entered the 1995 final on the back of their dominant performance over England, while the Springboks scraped through after a tight encounter with France. Despite this, it would be foolish to write the Springboks off. Beating the Springboks in South Africa has proved to be the greatest challenge for the All Blacks. Beating the Springboks in South Africa, while having the extra incentive of possibly changing South Africa, was going to be near impossible.

All the talk was of rugby's newest superstar, Jonah Lomu. How many tries would he score? How did you stop him?

The answer to these questions was zero, and by simply tackling him as a team.

The Springboks shut down Lomu better than he's ever been shut down before, while also remaining rock solid all over the park. It was a tremendous effort to hold this All Black team to no tries. 

The All Blacks matched this defensive intensity, holding the Springboks tryless also. 

After 80 minutes the score was locked at 9-all, meaning the World Cup would go into extra time for the first time.

Both teams traded penalties, before Joel Stransky kicked that fateful dropped goal minutes from the end, giving South Africa a 15-12 win. 

Nelson Mandela presented the trophy to Francois Pienaar at the postgame presentations and South Africa became united.

If you only watch one of the video's in the article, make it this one. A very good short film on the story of South Africa's 1995 Rugby World Cup win. 

1. 1999 France vs New Zealand

Once again, France entered a semifinal being given little chance by many. They faced a rampant All Blacks side who boasted some of the best players in the world and who had dispatched of the French by 50 points earlier in the season.

And indeed after 50 minutes, it was all going to plan for the All Blacks who looked destined for their third World Cup final in four tournaments. They led by 24-10 and with Jonah Lomu in great form, having scored two tries already and looking like he may repeat his performance against England from four years earlier.

What followed was the most magnificent 30 minutes of rugby you will ever see, as France scored 33 points to win the game 43-31. Christophe Lamaison didn't miss a kick, while the French backs showed just how dangerous they could be when given half a chance.

The biggest upset in World Cup history, coupled with some unbelievable rugby, sees this match rises above all to be the most memorable game in Rugby World Cup history.