SCRUM Magazine – September 2019

2015
Australia 38-37 Scotland: Heartache for Scotland - a nation watched
in disbelief as a last-minute penalty denied Vern Cotter’s side a last
four meeting with Argentina. Mark Bennett had looked like the hero
only minutes earlier, racing clear to score underneath the posts and
send Twickenham into delirium, such was the Scottish support.
However, it was not to be, as Craig Joubert’s penalty award with the
clock having ticked over 80 minutes singled the end of Scotland’s
campaign

2011
Scotland 12-16 England: A late try by Chris Ashton eliminated
Scotland from the tournament in New Zealand and meant they failed
to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in Rugby World
Cup history.
A similarly late defeat to Argentina left Scotland’s hopes hanging by
a thread, and Ashton’s try with three minutes left at Eden Park meant
Andy Robinson’s men crashed out of the competition.

2007
Scotland 13-19 Argentina: Having scraped through the pool phase
by seeing off Italy in a tight encounter, Scotland took on Argentina for
a place in the last four. Dan Parks and Felipe Contepomi traded
penalties early on before Gonzalo Longo charged down a Parks kick
to score the game’s first try as the Pumas took control.
Chris Cusiter responded for Scotland, but they were unable to
wrestle control of the match back from the South Americans as they
sealed their place in the semi-finals for the first time.

2003
Scotland 22-20 Fiji: A try from Tom Smith ensured Scotland avoided
a huge banana skin in Sydney, as a Fijian side inspired by the
mercurial talents of wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca, came within minutes
of stunning the Scots.
The Fijian winger scored a brace of tries, and along with 10 points
from the boot of Nicky Little, looked like all-but eliminating Scotland,
before veteran prop Smith popped up with a vital try. Chris Paterson
converted, and kicked five penalties, to ensure victory, and safe
passage to the quarter-finals, where Scotland’s run was ended by
eventual runners-up Australia.

1999
Scotland 18-30 New Zealand: Having successfully progressed from
a pool containing defending champions South Africa, Scotland - the
reigning Five Nations champions - took on the All Blacks at BT
Murrayfield in their quarter-final.
The All Blacks raced into a 17-0 lead against a Scotland side playing
in a bright orange change kit, and led 25-3 at the interval, the hosts’
only points from the boot of Kenny Logan.
Gregor Townsend cut the gap with a drop-goal before Jonah Lomu
went over to all-but seal the All Blacks’ win - the giant Kiwi legend
had a difficult evening, and was superbly marshalled by opposite
number Cammie Murray, who scored a consolation late on.

1995
Scotland 89-0 Ivory Coast: It remains to this day Scotland’s biggest
ever win at a Rugby World Cup, and it was a record breaking day too

for Gavin Hastings, whose haul of 44 points remains a record for a

Scot in a Test.

The talismanic fullback scored four tries, added nine conversions and

a pair of penalties in the drubbing of the African minnows. Peter

Walton and Kenny Logan both also scored doubles as Scotland ran

in 13 tries in all.

1991

Scotland 6-9 England: The one that got away. Scotland had

navigated the pool stages and beaten Western Samoa to book a

place in the semi-final against the Auld Enemy - and the match itself

started well for the home side at BT Murrayfield, Gavin Hastings

kicking two penalties for a 6-0 lead before Jonathan Webb levelled

the scores.

Hastings then uncharacteristically sliced a straightforward kick from

in front of the posts that may have seen Scotland over the line, and it

proved crucial as a Rob Andrew drop-goal sealed England’s place in

the final against Australia.

1987

Scotland 20-20 France: 23 May 1987 was the date of Scotland’s first

ever Rugby World Cup match - and the opposition were familiar foes

in the Five Nations (as it was then).

The fans at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, witnessed an enthralling

encounter, with Scotland’s two tries coming from Derek White and

Matt Duncan, while Gavin Hastings added four

penalties; but France - thanks largely to a try,

conversion and two penalties from Serge Blanco,

ensured the game ended drawn.

After finishing as runners-up to Les Bleus in the

pool, Scotland’s maiden World Cup campaign was

ended in the quarter-finals by the hosts, who went

on to lift the trophy.

MEMORABLE RUGBY WORLD CUP MOMENTS

Matches played: 38

Wins: 22 Losses: 15

Win percentage: 58%

Total points scored: 1144

Tries: 130 Penalties: 104

Conversions: 96

Drop-goals: 10

World ranking: 8

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