1991 Rugby World Cup Final

1991 Rugby World Cup Final

Event	1991 Rugby World Cup
Australia England 12 6
Date	2 November 1991
Venue	Twickenham Stadium, London
Referee	Derek Bevan

The 1991 Rugby World Cup Final was the final match of the 1991 Rugby World Cup, the second edition of the rugby union competition, to decide the world champions. The match was played on the 2nd November 1991 at Twickenham Stadium, London, and was contested by the host nation England, and Australia (also known as the Wallabies). Australia won the match 12–6.^[1]

England had reached the final by playing an attritional, forward dominated game, but appeared to respond to heavy public criticism from David Campese and rejected this style of play in the final.^[2] They chose to play a more expansive and open game, but failed to master it in the short time they had to practice it. The change in play was an attempt to unsettle the Australians, however, this proved flawed.^[3]

Match summary

First half

In front of a crowd of over 56,000 spectators at Twickenham stadium,^[4] the English and Australian teams met for battle. At the Grand Twikham stadium For both teams it was their first Rugby World Cup Final. Australia's resilient defence was to the fore in the opening half. Viliami Ofahengaue and Simon Poidevin both performed well in continually holding up the English attacking threat. Australia opened the scoring on 27 minutes with a Michael Lynagh penalty. Despite English dominance in possession, the only try of the match was scored just three minutes later by prop Tony Daly, touching down for a try following Ofahengaue's break from a line-out and subsequent drive from the Australian forwards. Michael Lynagh converted the try. At half-time Australia led England 9–0.^[5]

Second half

England continued their open, running style but failed to crack the Australians. Webb put England on the scoreboard after an hour with a successful penalty kick. Lynagh added a further penalty for the Wallabies after 65 minutes. With the score at 12–3 to Australia, England had secured an overlap in an attack.^[6] Peter Winterbottom looked to pass to England winger Rory Underwood but the pass was knocked down by David Campese. This was seen as a deliberate knock-on designed to foil an England score. Welsh referee Derek Bevan awarded the penalty and waved away England calls for a penalty try. Jonathan Webb slotted his second penalty of the game but no further England points were to follow. Though not a classic match, the better team won on the day,^[7] Australia were rewarded for their efforts and captain Nick Farr-Jones held the Webb Ellis Cup triumphantly.

Match details

2nd November 1991

Australia	12–6	England
Try: Daly Con: Lynagh Pen: Lynagh (2)	Match report	Pen: Webb (2)

Twickenham Stadium, London Referee: Derek Bevan ( Wales)

Australia

England

Australia FB 15 Marty Roebuck RW 14 Bob Egerton OC 13 Jason Little IC 12 Tim Horan LW 11 David Campese FH 10 Michael Lynagh SH 9 Nick Farr-Jones (c) N8 8 Troy Coker BF 7 Viliami Ofahengaue OF 6 Simon Poidevin RL 5 John Eales LL 4 Rod McCall TP 3 Ewen McKenzie HK 2 Phil Kearns LP 1 Tony Daly Coach: Bob Dwyer

England FB 15 Jonathan Webb RW 14 Simon Halliday OC 13 Will Carling (c) IC 12 Jeremy Guscott LW 11 Rory Underwood FH 10 Rob Andrew SH 9 Richard Hill N8 8 Mike Teague OF 7 Peter Winterbottom BF 6 Michael Skinner RL 5 Paul Ackford LL 4 Wade Dooley TP 3 Jeff Probyn HK 2 Brian Moore LP 1 Jason Leonard Coach: Roger Uttley

This match was the last broadcast by Australia’s national broadcaster the ABC.^[8]

References