THE GLORY OF 95 ON THIS DAY: June 11
ENGLAND had predictably topped their pool after wins against Samoa, Italy and Argentina, but Australia
– hot favourites going into the tournament – had come unstuck against South Africa in the opening game of the tournament, but beaten Canada and Romania, to finish runners-up in Pool A. The last-eight clash was a biggie – with two top sides set to thrash it out for a spot in the semi-finals.
In a thriller where no team really got the upper-hand throughout the 80 minutes, the contest was decided only at the very end, thanks to a drop-goal by England flyhalf Rob Andrew.
The teams scored a try each, brilliant efforts by the wings, Tony Underwood for England and Damian Smith for Australia, with the two No 10s, Andrew and Michael Lynagh, kicking all the other points in a dingdong battle.
Australia looked to be headed to the last-four when they led 22-19 with three minutes to go, but a 77th minute penalty by Andrew to draw his team level at 22-all ensured a thrilling final few minutes. And then, in the 82nd minute and time virtually up and extra-time on the cards, Andrew knocked over a long-range drop-goal to book a date with the All Blacks. Points Scorers
ENGLAND Ty: Tony Underwood;
Conversion: Rob Andrew; Penalties: Andrew (5); Drop-goal: Andrew
AUSTRALIA Ty: Damian Smith;
Conversion: Michael Lynagh;
Penalties: Lynagh (5)
JONAH Lomu set up Walter Little’s first try in the fifth minute with a powerful and swift charge down the left wing. To Scotland’s credit however, they enjoyed much of the play in the first half, thanks to a willingness to shift the ball. Gavin Hastings’ boot kept them in touch with the All Blacks throughout. New Zealand scored three tries and Scotland one in a burst of scoring to open the second half. Little’s second came as a result of the Scots failing to field a high kick, Andrew Mehrtens dashed in from 60m after picking up a loose ball at a ruck, while Frank Bunce took advantage of Scotland focussing on Lomu to score under the posts. Doddie Weir scored through a driving maul close to the All Blacks line, an effort he repeated later.
While the All Blacks were clearly the better team, it was a performance that did show up a few shortcomings – most notably their forwards being vulnerable in the tight exchanges, something that would hurt them a few weeks later.