3. Ireland 19 – 43 New Zealand: 1995 Rugby World Cup (Pool C)
27th May 1995, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
This was the match that introduced the world to a true icon of the game. In 1995, just 25 days after his 20th birthday, the late, great Jonah Lomu ran out at Ellis Park to make only his third All Blacks cap. Having achieved his debut against France the previous year, Lomu had already obtained the accolade of being the youngest ever All Black, and he was about to add the next chapter in what would be an immortalising legacy.
Lomu scored twice in this opening weekend clash with Ireland, in a breath-taking display of dominance from the All Blacks. Lomu powered through two tackle attempts before skipping past the last Irish defender to score his first Rugby World Cup try, before the winger followed this up by capping off a move from the training pitch. New Zealand ran rings through Ireland with a tricky tap penalty move, before Lomu put his head down, and drove through the crumbling green wall to score his second.
A memorable victory for the All Blacks, made even more special as the match marked the arrival of Lomu to the world rugby stage. The Springboks took note, and were able to neutralise the threat in that year’s final. The remaining tries from the All Blacks came from Joshua Kronfield, France Bunce and Glen Osbourne, with Andrew Mehrtens adding 18 points from the boot in this landslide win over Ireland.
4. South Africa 27 – 18 Australia: 1995 Rugby World Cup (Pool A)
25th May 1995, Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
The 1995 Rugby World Cup provided two brilliant match-ups in the opening weekend, with the aforementioned All Blacks triumph over Ireland, and this classic encounter between two teams in the middle of their historic ‘Golden eras’. The first match of the 1995 Rugby World Cup was so hotly anticipated it could not wait until the weekend, with the match between hosts South Africa and reigning World Champions Australia setting off the competition on a Thursday night, in May of ’95.
Two star-studded teams took to the pitch, with the Wallabies boasting a flourishing back line that included 1991 Rugby World Cup winners George Gregan, Michael Lynagh and David Campese. The Springboks found their star men in the pack, as captain Francois Pienaar led out the likes of Rudolf Straeuli in the back row, and with arguably the finest loosehead prop to play the game, Os du Randt up front. What followed was an all-star match, with Wallabies halfback Lynagh starting off the try scoring after half an hour’s play, before Springboks winger Pieter Hendriks reduced the lead just four minutes later.
A starring performance from South African fly half Joel Stransky, gave an early prelude as to how the ’95 Final would play out against the All Blacks. After crossing over for a try, Stransky added 17 points from the boot, and kicked the decisive distance to take the match out of sight for the Wallabies. Stransky would repeat this feat in the final, with his nine points taking the match to extra-time, before winning the Web Ellis trophy with an iconic drop goal. After the highs of their 1991 triumph, the golden generation of Australian rugby was coming to a close, with the torch passed to the ‘Boks in this all-star match.