15 greatest moments from the 2003 Rugby World Cup - in pictures

Wednesday, 22 November 2017 at 12:11

bySteven Smith

The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England.

Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Union and Rugby World Cup Limited.

Here are the 15 best moments from a very memorable World Cup:

15. Wales threaten pool-stage upset against New Zealand

The All Blacks, were ever, overwhelming favourites but they were given a might fright by Wales. The Welsh were magnificent as they took a 37-33 lead early in the second half, with Colin Charvis (pictured) scoring one of the tries. It didn't last long with New Zealand eventually winning 53-37, but it was fun while it lasted

14. Australia score 22 tries against Namibia

There has never been a bigger margin of victory than this. Chris Latham ran in five tries in this pool game in Adelaide and his team-mates racked up another 17 between them. Namimbia offered nothing in response.

13. Brian O'Driscoll tackles George Smith by the dreadlocks

More noted for rugby brilliance, the Ireland legend took an innovative approach to dealing with George Smith after the Australian had handed him off. O'Driscoll grabbed Smith's dreadlocks and pulled him to the floor with him.

12. Will Greenwood makes dash across the world

After his with suffered complications with her pregnancy, the centre made a two-day trip home, missing the Samoa pool game but returned in time to play an integral role in the rest of the tournament. The story had a happy ending as Greenwood's wife, Caro, safely give birth to a boy the following January.

11. The first Lion tamer plays in the World Cup

Schalk van der Merwe, a game park warden from Namibia, became an unlikely hero in Australia when he turned out for his country. Facing some of the worlds fiercest rugby players was nothing compared to his day job. He once had to leap into a lion cage to save his sister's pet monkey from the mouth of a hungry cat.

10. Haka showdown between New Zealand and Tonga

The Tongans responded to the haka by performing their own version at the same time. However, it only served to wind the All Blacks up as they went on to thump the Pacific Islanders 91-7.

9. David Campese's walk down Oxford Street

Ever the provocateur, former Wallabies speedster David Campese had labelled England boring and written off their chances of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup. The evidence of the final forced him to reconsider and he agreed to walk down Oxford Street with a board saying "I admit the best team won. And - of course - a sponsor's logo.

8. Ligairi's try for Fiji vs Japan

Norman Ligairi's second try of their 41-13 victory was genuinely brilliant. He kicked from 30 metres out, chased after the ball and scooped it up with one hand before dotting down in the corner.

7. Alan Quinlan dislocates shoulder

The Ireland flanker charged home from 25 yards out to score a crucial try in a 16-15 win against Argentina, which meant his country reached the knockout phases at the expense of the South Americans. But in the process of scoring he dislocated his shoulders and was ruled out for six months.

6. Robinson sets up Greenwood try

Robinson showed his brilliance in England's quarter-final against Wales. He sprinted from well inside his own half, speeding past hald a dozen Welshman before releasing Greenwood to finish from 10 yards out.

5. Carlos Spencer's through the legs pass

The ball came out to the fly-half about 10 metres out and seemingly without looking he flung a pass through his legs to set up Joe Rokocoko for a try. New Zealand went on to win the quarter-final 29-9.

4. Stephen Jones try v England

It may have been in a losing cause, but there have been few better team tries in World Cup history than the one scored by Stephen Jones for Wales against England in the quarter-final. It was inspired - of course - by speedster Shane Williams.

3. Stirling Mortlock's interception try

The All Blacks reached another semi-final as firm favourites, but within nine minutes they were behind after Mortlock picked off Carlos Spencer's wayward pass to score. The Wallabies eventually triumphed 22-10.

2. Jason Robinson try in the final

England's only try of the final showed Clive Woodward's team at their attacking best. A flowing move was finished off by Jason Robinson in the corner to give England a 14-5 lead at the break.

1. Jonny's drop-goal

Does anyone need reminding of the story? With less than half a minute of extra-time remaining, Jonny Wilkinson dropped 'for World Cup glory', as the commentator Ian Robertson put it.

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