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Fiji had it all wrapped up but somehow Scotland managed to escape and achieve the best comeback victory of RWC 2003

The best comeback of RWC 2003

02/11/2003
By Ben Grace

It was the best comeback of Rugby World Cup 2003.

After 35 games no team had come from more than three points behind at half time to win at RWC 2003. That is until Scotland turned a 14-6 half time deficit into a 22-20 victory over Fiji on Saturday at Aussie Stadium in Sydney.

The Scottish sat in their dressing room, down by eight points, and were facing the fact that the next 40 minutes may well be their last at RWC 2003.

Fiji had scored two spectacular tries through their wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca and looked dominant, while Scotland had kicked just two penalties.

The differential may have seemed far from insurmountable, only a point past a converted try, but RWC wins do not come easily. In the history of Tournament, only twice has a nation come from further adrift at half time to win it at the death.

Comeback kings

In 1995 France managed to overcome a 10 point deficit at half time to win against Scotland of all teams, the final score 22-19, while in 1999 Argentina trailed 16-3 at the break but managed to topple Samoa in the end, convincingly 32-16.

And that is it, just two teams in 16 years to have done better.

The weight of statistical history was likely not on their minds as the Scots ran out from their dressing rooms with 40 minutes in which to save their RWC lives, but they had to pull off the equal third greatest comeback the Tournament had ever seen.

And they did it. Chipping away with penalties through 30 minutes, before scoring a try to draw level with less than three minutes to go.

After the heroic boot of fly half Chris Paterson converted the try from right in front of the posts, Scotland had done it. They had won the match, made the quarter finals and pulled off the best comeback of Rugby World Cup 2003.

Scotland now face defending champions and Pool A winners Australia in Brisbane next weekend.

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Scotland v Fiji Match CentreScotland v Fiji Match Centre
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Links to Member Union websites

Scotland R.U.
Fiji R.U.
Fédération Française De Rugby
Unión Argentina De Rugby
Samoa R.F.U.

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