Friday, September 17, 1999 Published at 15:27 GMT 16:27 UK
1991: Game goes global
Australia's Michael Lynagh converts Tony Daly's try to end England's dreams
By 1991, the World Cup had changed immeasurably.
There were now 46 countries with membership to the International Rugby Board and the organisation was committed to global expansion.
World Cup betting had installed Australia as favourites, with the All Blacks at marginally longer odds of 6-4.
Only three other countries were given much chance of winning, with England and France at 7-1 and Scotland at 9-1.
It was undoubtedly a great victory for the islanders and they progressed to the last eight with a further victory over Argentina and a narrow 9-3 loss to Australia.
In the French Pool, Canada also showed they had improved immeasurably, particularly in the forwards, and comfortably held off Fiji and Romania to take second spot.
England, who had lost their opening game to a Michael Jones-inspired All Blacks side, nevertheless qualified for the knockout stages as runners-up, which meant they would not meet Southern Hemisphere opposition again until the final.
Samoans fall to Scots
The Samoans could not repeat their giant-killing act against Scotland, however, who burst the South Sea bubble with a thoroughly professional 28-6 victory at Murrayfield to earn a place in the semi-finals.
It all proved too much for the French coach, Daniel Dubroca, who lost control and manhandled New Zealand referee David Bishop. His resignation followed almost immediately.
The other quarter-final in Dublin was also a game of high-drama. Two tries from wing David Campese had seemingly put Australia through, but the Irish clawed their way back to 12-15 with seven minutes remaining.
Then, flanker Gordon Hamilton was set free from a counter attack and sprinted 45-yards for an extraordinary try.
Ireland only had to hold out for five minutes to secure an historic 18-15 win. But Australia had other ideas.
The Irish bungled the kick-off, allowing the Aussies to force a set-scrum back upfield. Horan and Jason Little ran through, Campese was caught, but Lynagh was on hand to break a thousand Irish hearts.
Despite the quality and flair of the Aussie back line, the money was still on New Zealand defending their title.
But unfortunately for the All Blacks, Campese was at his most arrogant and lethal. He came off the right wing to slice through for his first try, made the second for Horan and the match was won.
New Zealand had given everything in an attempt to come back from a 13-0 half-time deficit, but the Wallabies never looked like cracking.
It was a moment that haunted him for the rest of his career, but for the home fans the line-up could not have been better: the might of England against the flair of Australia at Twickenham.
The final 12-6 result could have been closer, had Derek Bevan awarded a penalty-try for a deliberate knock-on by Campese, but it was not to be England's day.
England's Jonathan Webb, nervy with the boot all day, managed two penalties but it was not enough and Australia were crowned 1991 world champions