Some of the most fascinating moments of the World Cup history were created by these three players who piloted their teams to last minute victories.
We will look at three famous matches; Australia’s miraculous escape against Ireland in the 1991 quarter final at Lansdowne Road to progress to the semi final and ultimately to win the World Cup; South Africa’s last gasp win in over time in the 1995 final against New Zealand to win the tournament at their first try after three decades of exclusion frominternational sport; and the final minute victory by France over Australia in the semi final of the first World Cup which gave the French a birth in the final against New Zealand.
Australia 19 Ireland 18
Ireland lead Australia 18-15 after flanker Gordon Hamilton out sprinted the Australian cover for a memorable try which should have given the Irish an unlikely berth to the semi final stage of Rugby World Cup 1991.
But the Irish hadn’t counted on the desire of the Australians to match the pre-tournament favouritism with results. Led by fly half Michael Lynagh, deputising for an injured Nick Farr-Jones, the Australians decided to go for an unlikely win with less than three minutes left on the clock.
The Australians kicked long at the restart after the Hamilton try and through concerted forward pressure forced a less than perfect clearing kick which found touch just outside the Irish 22 metre line.
The Wallabies had one last chance to snatch victory from what looked like certain defeat. Lynagh called the Australian backs together with the news the ball would be spread wide to the right wing of David Campese from the lineout win.
The ball won and delivered to the backs Lynagh did his best Mark Ella impression, running a loop play around Campese to take a pass from the wing and score in the corner with no time left on the clock.
Australia was through to the semi final stage and the Irish were left to lament what might have been. Australia went on to win Rugby World Cup 1991, 12-6 over England.
France 30 Australia 24
The 1987 semi-final between Australia and France at Concord Oval in Sydney won 30-24 by the French produced the most dramatic finish of the then embryonic Rugby World Cup for the vocal 17,000 crowd.
The win propelled France to the inaugural final against New Zealand.
The first half gave little indication of the drama to follow. Australia got away to a 9-0 lead on the back of a drop goal and two penalties to Michael Lynagh.
The French responded with a try to second row Alain Lorieux and conversion by Didier Camberabero for 9-6 scoreline at half time.
The lead changed four times in the second half, as first a Philippe Sella try and Camberabero conversion gave France a shortlived 12-9 lead, before Wallaby wing David Campese scored the Wallabies first try and Lynagh converted for a 15-12 advantage.
Enter Serge Blanco, the maestro of this semi final performance. First Blanco creates a try for wing Patrice Lagisquet, which Camberabero converts to add to a penalty goal and the French have the lead again at 21-15.
A David Cody try and Lynagh conversion ties the scores at 21-all with about 20 minutes to play. As the tension builds Lynagh and Camberabero swap penalties to bring the score to 24-24.
With the clock ticking away the French sweep up field to just 30 metres from the Wallaby line where Blanco dances down the touchline, finishing the move with a full length dive ahead of four Wallaby defenders.
Blanco, knelt in breathless celebration, is mobbed by his team mates and the stands erupt with the La Marseillaise as the Rugby world come to grips with one of the most exciting try’s of the tournament.
Camberabero kicks the conversion from touch and France go through to the first Rugby World Cup final 30-24 winners.