Australian Factfile
Posted: Thursday October 28, 1999 07:11 PM
| Milestones in History |
| Year |
Notes |
1820s
1864
1882
1899
1908
1933
1949
1984
1991
|
Nickname: The Wallabies
Rugby first played in Australia.
First club, Sydney University, founded.
New South Wales, heartland of game, toured New Zealand and Queensland for first time.
Representative Australian team played first test against British touring side.
First tour of Britain when side called Wallabies for first time.
Tour South Africa for first time.
Australian Rugby Union founded.
Beat all four 'home' sides in tour of Britain.
Win World Cup.
|
|
| World Cup Record |
| Year |
Notes |
1987
1991
1995
|
Pre-tournament favorites in the wake of 1984 Grand Slam tour of Britain. Coached by
Alan Jones Australia duly reached semifinals where it was beaten by France 30-24 thanks
to last minute try. Lost third place playoff 22-21 to Wales in another shock.
Struggled to beat Samoa 9-3 in first round and faced defeat by Ireland in quarterfinal
before last minute try conjured by flyhalf Michael Lynagh. Winger David Campese
proved matchwinner in 16-6 semifinal defeat of New Zealand. Held off England pack
to win final 12-6 at Twickenham.
Regarded as hot tip again until South Africa beat Wallabies 27-18 in opening match of
tournament. Beaten in quarterfinals by England 25-22 with late Rob Andrew drop goal.
|
|
Reuters contributed to this report.
|
