Rank your RWC Finals
Rank your RWC Finals
No doubt easier for those of us who have never won a RWC.
But (if you can set aside patriotism), what have been the best RWC Finals in terms of quality and/or excitement. All took place during my adulthood.
The 9 finals to date. Rank them all in order.
1987 New Zealand 29–9 France
1991 Australia 12–6 England
1995 South Africa 15–12 New Zealand
1999 Australia 35–12 France
2003 England 20–17 Australia
2007 South Africa 15–6 England
2011 New Zealand 8–7 France
2015 New Zealand 34–17 Australia
2019 South Africa 32–12 England
But (if you can set aside patriotism), what have been the best RWC Finals in terms of quality and/or excitement. All took place during my adulthood.
The 9 finals to date. Rank them all in order.
1987 New Zealand 29–9 France
1991 Australia 12–6 England
1995 South Africa 15–12 New Zealand
1999 Australia 35–12 France
2003 England 20–17 Australia
2007 South Africa 15–6 England
2011 New Zealand 8–7 France
2015 New Zealand 34–17 Australia
2019 South Africa 32–12 England
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
For me:
1995, 2015, 2003, 1987, 2019, 1999, 2011, 1991, 2007
1995, 2015, 2003, 1987, 2019, 1999, 2011, 1991, 2007
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
1995, 2003, 2015, 2011, 1987, 2019, 1999, 1991, 2007
The drawn/extra time finals have to be first. 2015 next best.
91, 99 and 07 had little drama and rank last for me. 99 best of that bunch as Aus played really well. 87 didn't have much drama but it was the first and the AB's won so I bump it up the list.
The drawn/extra time finals have to be first. 2015 next best.
91, 99 and 07 had little drama and rank last for me. 99 best of that bunch as Aus played really well. 87 didn't have much drama but it was the first and the AB's won so I bump it up the list.
- kiwigreg369
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
1995, 2003 .... gap ... 2011 .... gap ...1987, 2015, 1999, 2019, 1991 ....gap .... 2007
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
1995 and 2003 finals were top notch.
After that I'd have the 1991 (people forget how close that match actually was) and 2011 finals. The 2015, 1999 and 2019 finals all had an air of inevitability about them. The teams who won didn't look like losing at all.
The 2007 and 1987 finals come a solid last. One was between the two dullest teams in the competition and the other was a training run for the All Blacks.
After that I'd have the 1991 (people forget how close that match actually was) and 2011 finals. The 2015, 1999 and 2019 finals all had an air of inevitability about them. The teams who won didn't look like losing at all.
The 2007 and 1987 finals come a solid last. One was between the two dullest teams in the competition and the other was a training run for the All Blacks.
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
I haven't seen all of them, but I can't imagine any final being duller than 2007.
That was only a few months after I got into the game. It's a miracle I stayed with it.
That was only a few months after I got into the game. It's a miracle I stayed with it.
- Sensible Stephen
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
I agree with everyone else saying 2007 was the absolute worst. When Australia and NZ got done in the quarters it was struggling, then France gone in the semis there was no hope.
I can't comment on the 80s and 90s, but from what I saw...
2003, 2011, 2015, 2019, .............., 2007
I can't comment on the 80s and 90s, but from what I saw...
2003, 2011, 2015, 2019, .............., 2007
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
The 90s had the best run of finals, I reckon. 1991 was a rampaging Australian team against England who everyone expected to roll over. They didn't and went within a whisker of winning it. 1995 was chock full of drama finishing with a win to the good guys in extra time. 1999 was a tight game for about 60 minutes before Australia pulled away.Sensible Stephen wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:32 am I agree with everyone else saying 2007 was the absolute worst. When Australia and NZ got done in the quarters it was struggling, then France gone in the semis there was no hope.
I can't comment on the 80s and 90s, but from what I saw...
2003, 2011, 2015, 2019, .............., 2007
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
In order of best to worst.
2011 (tops 2015 for the sheer drama and intensity right to the final whistle)
2015 (the perfect ending for a dream team led by the two GOATs)
1987 (a magnificent AB team head and shoulders above the rest)
1995 (the right result even though it sucked)
2003 (loved it for the drama and for Johnny slotting the winning goal with his wrong foot)
2019 (first final that I have watched live)
1991
1999
2007 (I'm still trying to delete it from my memory)
2011 (tops 2015 for the sheer drama and intensity right to the final whistle)
2015 (the perfect ending for a dream team led by the two GOATs)
1987 (a magnificent AB team head and shoulders above the rest)
1995 (the right result even though it sucked)
2003 (loved it for the drama and for Johnny slotting the winning goal with his wrong foot)
2019 (first final that I have watched live)
1991
1999
2007 (I'm still trying to delete it from my memory)
Last edited by Kiwias on Wed Dec 23, 2020 7:19 am, edited 3 times in total.
- kiwigreg369
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
1995 was chock full of drama finishing with a win to the good guys in extra time

There is a first time for everything.
- Jerome Manning
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Hate the two teams playing in it but surely 2003 is on top. Has everything, England are the bad guys, Australia are the love child of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden but you still want them to beat the bad guys. Jonny's drop goal. Extra time. Everything.
- Jerome Manning
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
2007 was actual aids. Aids of the anus.
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Everyone wanted the Rainbow Nation to win, bro. You guys were the bad guys. A SA win was a win for world peace and harmony.kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:55 am1995 was chock full of drama finishing with a win to the good guys in extra time
There is a first time for everything.
Imagine what the world would have been like had it been the Orc-like visage of Sean Fitzpatrick being handed the trophy by Mandela. Yuck.
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Sounds good to me, but I'd have 1987 in with 2015, 1999, 2019.Thomas wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:05 am 1995 and 2003 finals were top notch.
After that I'd have the 1991 (people forget how close that match actually was) and 2011 finals. The 2015, 1999 and 2019 finals all had an air of inevitability about them. The teams who won didn't look like losing at all.
The 2007 and 1987 finals come a solid last. One was between the two dullest teams in the competition and the other was a training run for the All Blacks.
2007 was atrocious.
- kiwigreg369
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Whilst not everyone wanted them to win i get your point.Thomas wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 7:18 amEveryone wanted the Rainbow Nation to win, bro. You guys were the bad guys. A SA win was a win for world peace and harmony.kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:55 am1995 was chock full of drama finishing with a win to the good guys in extra time
There is a first time for everything.
Imagine what the world would have been like had it been the Orc-like visage of Sean Fitzpatrick being handed the trophy by Mandela. Yuck.
Still struggling with the 'good guys' reference even in those circumstances - e.g. Louis Luyt.
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
What position did he play?kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 7:51 amWhilst not everyone wanted them to win i get your point.Thomas wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 7:18 amEveryone wanted the Rainbow Nation to win, bro. You guys were the bad guys. A SA win was a win for world peace and harmony.kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:55 am1995 was chock full of drama finishing with a win to the good guys in extra time
There is a first time for everything.
Imagine what the world would have been like had it been the Orc-like visage of Sean Fitzpatrick being handed the trophy by Mandela. Yuck.
Still struggling with the 'good guys' reference even in those circumstances - e.g. Louis Luyt.
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
1991 was my favourite, I had the great pleasure of watching the game on delay in Hong Kong with my British colleagues, having heard a direct to air radio commentary beforehand.
John Eales' tackle of Jeremy Guscott in the last couple of minutes was a thing of beauty. Has there been a better match-saving tackle ever?
John Eales' tackle of Jeremy Guscott in the last couple of minutes was a thing of beauty. Has there been a better match-saving tackle ever?
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Maybe you should read Chester William's book and see just how many of the 'good guys ' really were good guys .Thomas wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 8:07 amWhat position did he play?kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 7:51 amWhilst not everyone wanted them to win i get your point.Thomas wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 7:18 amEveryone wanted the Rainbow Nation to win, bro. You guys were the bad guys. A SA win was a win for world peace and harmony.kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:55 am1995 was chock full of drama finishing with a win to the good guys in extra time
There is a first time for everything.
Imagine what the world would have been like had it been the Orc-like visage of Sean Fitzpatrick being handed the trophy by Mandela. Yuck.
Still struggling with the 'good guys' reference even in those circumstances - e.g. Louis Luyt.
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
South Africa were basically East Germany in yet another very good sports documentary, Escape To Victory.
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Bad losers can never be the "good guys" - evah
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
2003
Daylight
1995
2011
1991
2015
2019
1999
1987
Daylight
2007
Daylight
1995
2011
1991
2015
2019
1999
1987
Daylight
2007
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Every team and suporters have shown that. That's why we use Apartheid to split the really bad from the good guys.
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Did you note my RWC final rankings?
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
I guess it always comes down to your criteria as to what makes a great final but for me if you are just talking about the best quality of rugby played then i would have 2015, 1999 and 1987 as my top three with 2007 as the worst 

- guy smiley
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
RU OK Monk?Monk Zombie wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 8:54 am
Saffas are getting over apartheid - boet - you should try it
You should also try giving credit to good players from other countries
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
First daiquiri in hamd - don't intend venturing off the stoep todayguy smiley wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 9:27 amRU OK Monk?Monk Zombie wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 8:54 am
Saffas are getting over apartheid - boet - you should try it
You should also try giving credit to good players from other countries
So I am relatively OK thanks
I trust you are very well indeed
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Don't remember pre 95 so ill start from 99.
2019 (loved every second of it)
2015
2003 (begrudgingly)
Daylight
1999
2011
2007
2019 (loved every second of it)
2015
2003 (begrudgingly)
Daylight
1999
2011
2007
- openclashXX
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Hard to look past the two extra-time finals for sheer drama
But in terms of quality of rugby from both sides 2015 is a clear winner. A final that had plenty of tries including some nice end-to-end stuff, and wasn't dominated by set piece + defence
But in terms of quality of rugby from both sides 2015 is a clear winner. A final that had plenty of tries including some nice end-to-end stuff, and wasn't dominated by set piece + defence
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Did not see '87 and '91
1. 1995 - the Joel Stransky dropgoal and mr. Mandela lifting the WWE
2. 2003 - the Wilkinson drop , another extra time final
Then came 2015 - great rugby and the Australian fight back and 2019 - in Japan, the Springbok pack and Kolbe the finisher
followed by 2011 - so close, 2007 - Danie Rossouw's try-saving tackle on Mark Cueto and 1999 not a close game
1. 1995 - the Joel Stransky dropgoal and mr. Mandela lifting the WWE
2. 2003 - the Wilkinson drop , another extra time final
Then came 2015 - great rugby and the Australian fight back and 2019 - in Japan, the Springbok pack and Kolbe the finisher
followed by 2011 - so close, 2007 - Danie Rossouw's try-saving tackle on Mark Cueto and 1999 not a close game
Last edited by ZuluBoy on Mon Dec 21, 2020 2:31 pm, edited 4 times in total.
- openclashXX
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
The scoreline in the 2015 final was at 21-17 going into the last 10 minutes of the game, and minutes 50-70 had been all Australia (14 unanswered points, coming back from 21-3 down)
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
Yep, hard to go past that for the sheer class of the rugby played.openclashXX wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 12:08 pm Hard to look past the two extra-time finals for sheer drama
But in terms of quality of rugby from both sides 2015 is a clear winner. A final that had plenty of tries including some nice end-to-end stuff, and wasn't dominated by set piece + defence
Far from being one-sided too, Australia's fightback was very good and had plenty of bums twitching

- Big Nipper
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
2007
1995
2019
1991
2003
1999
2015
2011
1987
1995
2019
1991
2003
1999
2015
2011
1987
- koroke hangareka
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
2015 was great, and annoyingly so was 2003. 1987 was pretty nice. Can't be bothered with any of the others, 2007 was suitably dull and 1995 did not happen at all.
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
The only redeeming feature about 2007 is that we at least managed to win the borefest. If only we could swop the pool game and the final around...
Re: Rank your RWC Finals
As a Yank and Irish fan...I never have to worry about conflicts
and only ones I watched live...
1995 South Africa 15–12 New Zealand
2003 England 20–17 Australia (hated the result, but loved the game)
2007 South Africa 15–6 England (I know it set rugby back, but just loved that SA defense)
2019 South Africa 32–12 England (Japan fans
)
2011 New Zealand 8–7 France (Still wish France would have won)
1999 Australia 35–12 France
2015 New Zealand 34–17 Australia

and only ones I watched live...
1995 South Africa 15–12 New Zealand
2003 England 20–17 Australia (hated the result, but loved the game)
2007 South Africa 15–6 England (I know it set rugby back, but just loved that SA defense)
2019 South Africa 32–12 England (Japan fans

2011 New Zealand 8–7 France (Still wish France would have won)
1999 Australia 35–12 France
2015 New Zealand 34–17 Australia
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Re: Rank your RWC Finals
1987
2007
1995
2019
1991
1999
2015
2011
2003
2007
1995
2019
1991
1999
2015
2011
2003
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