Wallaby HistoryAustralia enjoys the proudest tradition of all the “heavyweight'' rugby nations competing in the tournament, having lofted the prestigious William Webb Ellis trophy in 1991 at Twickenham and 1999 at Millennium Stadium.
There are numerous magical moments from the Wallabies triumphs, from the flair and panache of a young David Campese's goosestep in 1991 to Stephen Larkham's unforgetable 48m extra-time drop-goal to sink South Africa in 1999.
Since the inaugural tournament in 1987, the Rugby World Cup has metamorphasised into one of the world's most enriching sporting experiences and has been hosted in countries ranging from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Ireland, Wales and France.
New Zealand were crowned 1987 world champions after overcoming France in the final, but this tournament is best remembered for the epic tussle between the Wallabies and France in a semi-final at Concord Oval, when the French recorded a memorable triumph.
In 1991 it was the All Blacks who were raging tournament favourites, only to be upstaged by the Wallabies in the semi-finals, allowing Australia to in turn defeat England and allow Nick Farr-Jones to hoist the World Cup.
Four years later in 1995 it was South Africa's turn to stage the tournament and the Springboks saluted, beating New Zealand in the final after overcoming a disappointing Australia in the quarter-finals.
The Wallabies upstaged the more-fancied New Zealand and South African outfits in 1999 to claim Australia's second World Cup, this time surging to victory over a French outfit who eliminated the All Blacks in the semi-finals.
And then in November 2003, England superstar Johnny Wilkinson landed a crushing field goal in the dying stages of extra time to deny the Wallabies a third William Webb Ellis trophy and pilot England to a watershed World Cup win.
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