2015 Rugby World Cup: Best moments from the tournament

Last Saturday, New Zealand beat Australia in the final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup to become the first three-champs in history. And after a thrilling final, the IRB came out and declared that this edition had been the best World Cup in the history of the sport. And not just in viewership, but in quality too, for we witnessed some brilliant rugby and the best teams made it through to the latter stages of the tournament. As we bid goodbye to England 2015 and look forward to Japan 2019, here are some of the best moments from this latest edition.

#12 Nonu breaks Australia\'s back

Ma’a Nonu was one of those retiring at the end of the final and he could not have signed off in any better style as he possibly scored the try of the tournament in the second half of the final clash against Australia.

Within minutes of the restart, Nonu latched onto a superb offload from replacement Sonny Bill Williams and he broke through the Australian defence, going past four Wallaby defenders to score his team’s second try and really push the lead up, giving his team an 18 point advantage.

#11 The Imhoff Dive

Argentina captured hearts at this tournament with their open, uninhibited, attacking style of rugby that they displayed in each of their matches. Their backline of Joaquin Tuculet, Juan Imhoff and Santiago Cordero were an exciting trio to watch as they used their pace and running to unseat opposition defences. Imhoff in particular became a rage thanks to his extravagant dives while scoring tries, such that it came to be known as ‘The Imhoff Dive’.

The elevation he achieved off the ground with those dives was quite spectacular.

#10 An amazing gesture

Sonny Williams gave his World Cup medal to a young fan

Post the presentation of the Webb Ellis trophy and the winners’ medals, the New Zealand players, as is customary were on a victory lap around the stadium, when a young All Blacks fan broke through the security barricade and onto the pitch in an attempt to meet his heroes.

For his efforts, Charlie Lines got rugby tackled to the ground by one of the security personnel in a rather painful moment, but Sonny Bill Williams who was closest immediately rushed to his aid and ordered the personnel to let go of the boy. And in a noble gesture, presented his medal to the young fan.

Said Williams in response to his actions – “A young fella came sprinting on and he got smoked by the security guard. It was pretty sad, he’s just a young fella obviously caught up in the moment. But it’s not just the medal. I’m proud and honoured - humbled - to have won so why not try and make a young fella’s night? I’m sure he’ll remember it for a while. His mum was pretty happy. He had an All Blacks jersey on so he might be a future All Black. I’m pleased that he has it because I know that he’ll appreciate it and when he gets older he’ll be telling his kids. It’s probably more special than just having it hanging up on a wall."

#9 Don\'t cry for me Argentina

Argentina did very well to reach the semis but faltered to Australia at that stage

The South Americans are an emotional lot especially when it comes to sport and when their sparkling run was halted by the Wallabies in the semi-finals, it was tears all round for many of the Argentine players, having given it their all.

Despite their best efforts, they could not get past a brilliant Australian defence and were left to feed off only penalty points from the boot of Nicolas Sanchez. Regardless of the result though, it was a tournament that promised a bright future for Argentine rugby.

#8 Drop goal time

Dan Carter was by far the man of the final

New Zealand’s big lead was being cut down by the minute after Australia’s roaring fightback in the final as the Wallabies cut the deficit to just four points. Then, Dan Carter stepped up with this beautiful drop goal from distance to quell that comeback and put distance between his side and the Aussies.

Just as he’d done in the semis against South Africa, with this drop goal being from further away, Carter’s genius had a huge influence on the game. He was named man-of-the-match as well as player of the tournament for his performances and ended up walking away with his third Rugby Player of the Year accolade too.

#7 The master of the breakdown

David Pocock’s heroic effort

Australia’s No.8 David Pocock was one of the stars of the tournament with his domination at the breakdowns and ability to cause turnovers a royal pain in the rear for most teams. He missed his team’s quarterfinal clash with Scotland which they escaped by the skin of their teeth but returned to ruin Argentina’s chances of making a first ever final. This is how he looked post match, bearing the scars of his battles.

Pocock will be back in 2019 to try and go one step further.

#6 Foley to the rescue

Bernard Foley’s vital kick

Australia almost did not make it past the quarterfinal stage with Scotland leading by two points until a last gasp penalty was awarded to them by referee Craig Joubert. Bernard Foley, who had been scratchy all game, kept his cool to nail the pressure kick and put Australia into the semis, where they would beat Argentina to make the final.

Foley was one of Australia’s stars at this world cup, performing impeccably in the pool stages, especially in the game against England, where he scored all of Australia’s points.

#5 English embarrassment

England disappointed their massive fan base

England suffered the ignominy of becoming the first nation to not make the knockout stages of a Rugby World Cup. Clubbed in the Pool of Death with Wales and Australia, the English failed to register a victory over either of their rivals and were sent packing out of the tournament when they were beaten by the Wallabies.

Chris Robshaw and his men were humbled and coach Stuart Lancaster, whose selections had already sparked debate even before the tournament began, faced much of the onslaught.

#4 The proposal

When Florin went down

Romania may have not got past the pool stage at the world cup, but for one Romanian player it was a very memorable one indeed. Florin Surugiu decided to pop the question to his girlfriend after the loss to Ireland with his teammates behind him offering support and the few who remained inside Wembley stadium. She said yes, of course.

It was one of those moments that showed that there’s more to sport than just the on-field action.

#3 Get out of my way

Julian Savea’s try against Franc was awarded the best of the tournamernt

New Zealand’s Julian Savea scored a hat-trick in the quarterfinals as the All Blacks demolished France to get to the semis. One of those three tries got awarded the try of the tournament, and for good reason.

Savea brushed aside no less than three French defenders like they weren’t there to cross over the line and score in a fashion reminiscent of the great Jonah Lomu.

Savea had eight tries in this tournament to tie the record for most tries at a world cup with Lomu (1995) and Bryan Habana (2007).

#2 Karne Hesketh\'s late late try

Japan provided the biggest upset of the 2015 Rugby World Cup

It was the moment that sealed the greatest upset in the history of rugby. When Karne Hesketh went over the line to score after Japan had opted to take the line-out than the penalty kick to tie the game, the biggest shock was caused. Two-time winners, the Springboks, went down to Japan as the try sparked joyous scenes in the crowd.

South Africa did recover to make the semis and Japan surprisingly didn’t despite winning three games, but it is the result that almost nobody will forget in a hurry.

#1 New Zealand cement their legacy

New Zealand clinched their second straight title

The All Blacks proved to one and all that they were indeed the best rugby side on the planet by retaining the Webb Ellis trophy, becoming the first nation to do so and also becoming the first side to win three world cups. A brilliant team, led by a brilliant man, with fantastic talent and depth all round proved too much for Australia to contend with and this team has actually been even better than the side that won in 2011.

With about five senior statesmen and legends riding into the sunset after this game, it was the perfect sendoff for the continued excellence that they’d shown. As is customary, the All Blacks rounded things off with a haka on the Twickenham pitch with the trophy in front of them and the medals around their necks.