While many teams will depart the Tournament at the beginning of the quarter finals, their memory, as they say in the classics, will remain. While the pre competition favourites have thrilled the crowds with their rugby prowess, many of the emerging nations have also provided rugby enthusiasts with many great moments.
With the fully professional superpowers of rugby being pitted against some rapidly assembled part time nations many are reminded of the legend of David and Goliath.
While the rugby Goliaths have come away with the points in this RWC, many of the emerging nations have achieved highlights which are likely to be spoken about for years to come.
Canada’s opening stanza against New Zealand
When Canada lined up against New Zealand many predicted the RWC record score of 145-17 was under threat, with the Canadadians criticised before the match for naming a second string side.
With the sharks circling, the mighty All Blacks juggernaut seemed set for little more than a training run.
How wrong they would be. The Canucks showed that pre match talk and predictions meant little when they forced the All Blacks to use every trick in the book in an attempt to overcome their formidable defensive wall.
Fans were left stunned as the Canadian defence held and held and held the All Blacks at bay for the opening 18 minutes before the New Zealanders finally scored their first try through Caleb Ralph.
The tenacity of defence won plenty of admirers including New Zealand captain Reuben Thorne who said after game, “You have got to give credit to Canada, they really defended terrifically.”
All Blacks coach John Mitchell echoed his flanker comments with, “They tackled their hearts out.”
While it was now obvious to everyone, Canadian coach David Clark also underlined that the team he selected was far from under strength. “This was not a second string side. We picked this team for its defensive qualities and toughness,” he said.
Romania repel Puma pack
With the clock winding down Romania faced a 50-3 scoreline against Argentina. They had already conceded two push over tries and hope seemed a scarce commodity.
However, cheered on by the packed Aussie Stadium crowd the Romanians showed great fighting spirit and achieved something few teams could claim as a scalp when they forced the Argentinian pack back and won a tight head scrum.
Japan rally against France
The city of Townsville took the Japanese team into their hearts and it was easy for them to do so after the performance they produced against Tournament heavyweight France.
With a lopsided score expected by all those who were about to witness the match, it seemed that few believed the Japanese could rally against the star studded French side. However, what was not expected was the belief that obviously existed in the Japanese side.
As they had done against Scotland, Japan made their highly fancied European opponents work for every metre. Early in the second half crowd roared when Toru Kurihara brought Japan to within a point and it took a great effort from France to finally secure the points.
While Les Bleus had secured the victory, the post match attention was squarely focused on the effort by the team from the land of the rising sun. French coach Bernard Laporte sang their praises.
"Congratulations to Japan. They showed their true selves. They had lots of speed and agility. They put us under pressure.”
French wing Christophe Dominici was also a newly converted fan.
"I found them dynamic and fast from the breakdowns. They provided our defence with more trouble than in previous games. Their collective spirit and determination will give a lot of problems to other teams."
However, the achievement was best expressed by Japanese coach Shogo Mukai who could not contain his joy.
"That was one of the finest moments, if I can say that. My target with this team was that if we lost to a big nation that it would not be by a big score."
Georgia score against South Africa
Few teams that have run out onto the turf at Aussie Stadium have ever received as much passionate support as the Georgian team when they charged out against South Africa in their pool match. Even the NSW Waratahs must have slumped in their chairs when they heard the roars that greeted the RWC debutants, wishing they could garner they same passion.
While every tackle was cheered and every kick applauded no one would have prepared for the massive out pouring of emotion when hooker David Dadunashvili became Georgia’s hero when he scored his side’s first try in RWC history.
After some positive play the Georgians won a line out from close to the South African line and with the determination that has marked their play, forced their hooker over.
Such was the emotion after the game, half a dozen Georgian players embarked on a spontaneous lap of honour to thank their adoring fans.
French born coach explained the pride within the camp on their achievements.
“There are several virtues of the Georgian team. Tonight we showed the great things that we can do.”
Romania cross against Australia
While the defending Webb Ellis holders may have crossed for 13 tries throughout the game as they clocked up a 91-8 score the biggest cheers were reserved for Romania forward Petriosor Toderasc who crossed for his side’s sole try after the Oaks forwards have driven forward.
In a day when the defending champions had the midas touch, the Romanians tried valiantly for the full eighty minutes. With the try, a worthy symbol of their efforts.
As they also say in the classics “Thanks for the memories.”