The fourth Rugby World Cup broke new ground as for the first time the big eight nations did not qualify automatically. Only the champions, the runners-up, the third place play-off winners from 1995 and the host nation was afforded that luxury. Another innovation for the 1999 tournament, which also featured matches in England, France, Scotland and Ireland, was the introduction of a Repechage, a second chance for teams that had finished runners-up in each qualifying zone.

Memorable moments included the opening in Wales new millennium stadium; Western Somoa beating Wales again; Neil Jenkins surpassing lynaghs’s record and De beer scoring 4 drop goals for South Africa against England to put them into the semi-finals.

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South Africa had a similar game plan against Australia. Drawing level at the end of the game with a penalty. But this time it was Australia who dropped a goal to beat them in extra time.  In the other semi-final against New Zealand, France pulled of the biggest upset in the whole of RWC history.  Lohmu Scored 2 tries running through many French players but France scored three tries to go into a clear lead to win the match.  In the final Australia beat France comfortably in the final to win the trophy for the second time.