It’s once again time for the Rugby World Cup
The 10th renewal of the contact sport’s premier event is taking place in France between September 8 and October 28, and three-time champions New Zealand are the unsurprising favourites in the Rugby World Cup odds as they seek a third success in four renewals.
The All Blacks aren’t the most convincing of favourites, as the consensus amongst fans and pundits alike is that this isn’t the strongest of New Zealand sides. Therefore, hosts France or World No.1-ranked side Ireland could win the Rugby World Cup for the first time, while it would be foolish to rule out defending champions South Africa after their stunning 35-7 win over New Zealand at Twickenham toward the end of August.
Given that we have seen just four different recipients of the Webb Ellis Cup in its still relatively short history, it is refreshing to see this year’s renewal looking relatively open at this stage and with the real potential for a couple of new nations to add their name to the roll of honour.
So, with anticipation growing for what promises to be a thrilling World Cup, let’s take a look back at the last five winners of the tournament.
2003 – England
Having been beaten by Australia in front of a home crowd at Twickenham in 1991, England got revenge on their Southern Hemisphere rivals in 2003 — beating the Aussies 20-17 thanks to a dramatic Jonny Wilkinson drop-goal on his weak right foot with less than 30 seconds remaining in overtime at Stadium Australia in Syndey.
2007 – South Africa
South Africa fans will head to France for this year’s tournament with happy memories of the last time they touched down in the European nation for a World Cup, as the Spingboks won their second Webb Ellis Cup at the Stade de France. They beat defending champions England 15-6 in Paris and became just the second team after Australia to win two World Cups.
2011 – New Zealand
Not to be left behind by their South Hemisphere foes South Africa and Australia, New Zealand added a second Webb Ellis Cup to their cabinet when winning the World Cup on home soil for a second time in 2011. Back at Eden Park in Auckland, the scene of their first success in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 1987, the All Blacks beat France 8-7 in what is the lowest-scoring final on record.
2015 – New Zealand
New Zealand became the outright title holders in 2015, beating Australia with relative ease at Twickenham Stadium. A contest between two of the biggest rivals and sides in the sport would have rugby fans licking their lips, but it wasn’t much of a contest at all as the All Blacks won 34-17 to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups.
2019 – South Africa
Ensuring that the Webb Ellis Cup has been in possession of a South Hemisphere country every year since 2007, South Africa matched New Zealand’s record of three World Cup successes with a comfortable victory over England in Japan. The first edition of the tournament to be held in Asia, the Springboks won 32-12.