The Wallabies will play their sixth World Cup semi-final on Sunday, against Argentina, the latest in a rich history of epic final four games.
We take a look back at the Wallabies’ semi-finals and some of the moments that made them so memorable.
1987 Australia 24- France 30
The Wallabies narrowly missed out on the inaugural Rugby World Cup final, going down to France in the semi-final at Concord Oval in Sydney. In the first of a series of nail biting semi-finals, it was the Wallabies on the heartbreaking end of this result. France’s Serge Blanco scored in the corner to clinch a six-point win.
1991 Australia 16 - New Zealand 6
He’s Australia’s leading try scorer but a David Campese dish-off is one of the most memorable moments of Australia’s World Cup history. Campese’s blind over the shoulder pass that hit Tim Horan was a showing of his rare skill and instincts. After a brutal quarter-final against Ireland, the shackles were off in the semi-final. The Wallabies went on to win that World Cup, beating England the next week and Campese was named the Player of the Tournament.
1999 Australia 27 - South Africa 21
That drop goal. When you’re talking about Stephen Larkham at the World Cup, those are the only three words you need. In extra-time after an 80-minute penalty battle, Larkham booted the first drop goal of his Test career from 48 metres out. It put Australia in the box seat for a final berth. The Wallabies beat South Africa 27-21 and progressed to the decider, beating France.
2003 Australia 22 - New Zealand 10
Australia scored just one try in this game, through Stirling Mortlock in the ninth minute of the game Elton Flatley’s five penalties and a conversion opened up the gap on the All Blacks in Sydney and helped send them through to an ultimately epic final against England
2011 Australia 6 v New Zealand 20
The third edition of the Wallabies-New Zealand semi-final rivalry played out in 2011 and a quick start from the home side, including a Ma’a Nonu try, gave them the early advantage. Two second-half penalties were too much for the Wallabies to overcome in front of a hostile New Zealand crowd.
