RWC 2015: RUCK's Five Favourite Moments

RWC2015: RUCK’s Five Favourite Moments

Over the last 28 years, the Rugby World Cup has provided us with some sensations moments and RWC 2015 was no different. Here are RUCK’s five favourite memories from the latest instalment of the competition – tell us below what was your personal favourite moment of RWC 2015.

5) Mamuka Gorgodze shocked at Man of the Match award against New Zealand. 

In amongst all the superstars of this year’s World Cup, it was the spirit of nations such as Georgia which captured the public’s imagination during the Pool stages. In a touching moment, it was Lelos skipper Mamuka Gorgodze who picked up the Man of the Match award in his side’s 43-10 defeat to New Zealand. His humbled and shocked reaction to the announcement captured the hearts of millions around the world and was viewed almost two million times on social media.


 4) Julian Savea – Try of the Tournament? (v France)


In a tournament where enterprising and attacking play was in abundance, it was this score which stood out above the rest in New Zealand’s rip-roaring 62-13 quarter-final thrashing of France at the Millennium Stadium.

On his way to his second hat-trick of the World Cup, his second try of the night stole the show and knocked the stuffing out of France, who had sensed an opportunity after closing to within 11 points five minutes before half time.

It was a try which had everything. Started by a towering Dan Carter up and under from inside his own half, Ben Smith claimed the ball before Aaron Smith showed stunning agility and vision to switch the ball wide.

Thirty metres out and with the cover defence steaming across, there was still much work to be done but, as soon as wing man Savea got hold of the ball, there was no stopping him as he ruthlessly bounced off no fewer than three defenders, leaving them all on the ground, before planting the ball down. A score which the France’s tournament hopes never recovered from.

Thirty metres out and with the cover defence steaming across, there was still much work to be done but, as soon as wing man Savea got hold of the ball, there was no stopping him as he ruthlessly bounced off no fewer than three defenders, leaving them all on the ground, before planting the ball down. A score which the France’s tournament hopes never recovered from.


3) Dan Carter Final drop goal

In a high-quality final, Dan Carter’s metronomic kicking skills came to the fore and his composure was in evidence as he struck a crucial drop goal in the RWC2015 showpiece.

The All Blacks had enjoyed a stellar opening 50 minutes, but Australia battled back as David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani tries either side of the hour mark rumbled them back into contention.

With just four points separating the sides going into the final ten minutes, it was Carter, playing in his first World Cup Final, who stepped up to hand his under-pressure side a crucial winning moment.

Australia were rampant and few would have backed against them scoring once more as the minutes began to tick down to the final hooter but, despite a host of onrushing Wallabies defenders in his eye-line, the 33-year-old struck a perfect kick from 40 metres out to leave their old rivals shell shocked – they didn’t score another point.


2) Sonny Bill Williams gave his RWC winners medal to a young All Blacks fan

One of those genuine moments which made the hair on your neck stand on end. ‘SBW’ had just produced an outrageous offload to set up a decisive try for his side in their 34-17 World Cup Final win on Saturday but he will be forever remembered for his immense gesture after the game. After an excitable 14-year-old fan was floored by a steward as he tried to run onto the pitch and join his heroes, the centre picked him off the ground and took him on part of his side’s lap of honour before returning the boy to his family.

But what he did next left everyone, not least the boy himself, open-mouthed. He nonchalantly draped his medal round the teenager’s neck and strolled off to complete his lap of the pitch. The 30-year-old played down the gesture, Tweeting “For a kid 2 have that will and take that risk (of running on to the pitch), you deserve a medal. Enjoy bro,” but it will undoubtedly remain the abiding memory of this year’s tournament in years to come.


1) South Africa 32-34 Japan 

 After a steady start to the competition, Japan fired it into life by producing what many called the biggest World Cup shock in history.

Having finished bottom of their Pool in 2011, including a 83-7 drubbing at the hands of New Zealand, the Cherry Blossoms have improved, but no one could have foreseen what was to come at the Brighton Community Stadium in mid-September

South Africa were on top throughout, but the steady kicking of Ayumu Goromaru, who finished the game with 24 points, kept his side in the contest, meaning the Springboks never got clear and, in a dramatic climax, Eddie Jones’ men, who were three points down at the time, were awarded a penalty with seconds to go and, to the shock of the enthralled audience, they opted to run rather than take a draw.

And their decision paid off with 79th-minute substitute Karne Hesketh scoring a late, late winner, to the joy of almost every neutral supporter around the world.