Watch Australia take their second Rugby World Cup (9.59)
New Zealand were the firm favourites to add to their 1987 title, but after three previous World Cups without a team from the northern hemisphere lifting the Webb Ellis trophy it was widely anticipation that a side from the north could break the southern hemisphere strangle-hold on their home soil. The magnificent Millennium Stadium was built in Cardiff for the tournament and with its retractable roof it would be the first time rugby could be played 'indoors'.
While Lomu was the leading tryscorer at the tournament with eight, it was not yet known by the public that he was suffering from a debilitating kidney disease which would cut his career short, making this his second and final World Cup. Australia centre Tim Horan was named the of Player of the Tournament while Argentina's Gonzalo Quesada won the Golden Boot.
| Player | Matches | Points |
|---|---|---|
| G Quesada (Arg) | 5 | 102 |
| MC Burke (Aus) | 6 | 101 |
| JH de Beer (SA) | 5 | 97 |
| AP Mehrtens (NZ) | 5 | 79 |
A 13-minute period of sheer and utter demolition of New Zealand's lead by France will be forever etched in World Cup history. France turned around a 17-10 deficit, scoring 33 unanswered points before Wilson scored a consolatory try in the last minute. The All Blacks were left stunned by a fighting display of Gallic flair and finesse that would haunt them for World Cups to come.
| Player | Matches | Tries |
|---|---|---|
| JT Lomu (NZ) | 6 | 8 |
| JW Wilson (NZ) | 6 | 6 |
| P Bernat-Salles (Fra) | 5 | 4 |
| DD Luger (Eng) | 5 | 4 |
| Host nations Wales |
| Dates October 1 - November 6 |
| No of nations 20 (65 qualifying) |
| Champions Australia |
| Runners-up France |
| Matches played 41 |