1991: Lynagh's late winner against Ireland in the 1/4s, just when it looked like the co-hosts had snatched it. A win woulda seen the Irish into the semis (a feat they still haven't managed), & likely an England v NZ final (which woulda been crummy).
1995: Hosts SA survived a late scare in their rain-sodden semi with France when Benazzi drove to the line and claimed he scored. Had referee Bevan agreed with him, it woulda been an NZ - France final and Clint Eastwood woulda never made a film about it. NB: Ditto an All Blacks victory in that dramatic extra-time final.
1999: What goes around comes around and this time it was SA on the receiving end of an extra-time loss. Had they not lost to the Wallabies in the semis, they quite likely woulda become the first double champions & back-to-back winners.
Alternatively, France woulda got their first title.2003: The Irish almost fought back for an unlikely victory over hosts Australia, which woulda put them into a more winnable 1/4 against Scotland, while the Wallabies woulda played France and, surviving that, England in the semis. NB: Ireland themselves were lucky to survive Argentina in the group stages, while Scotland were almost stunned by Fiji. Either result woulda prevented what remains the only 1/4 lineup featuring all 8 "founding members" of the IRB/World Rugby.
& what if Wilko hadn't landed that extra time drop goal in the final? Would we still be waiting for a NH champ?2007: Two upsets that woulda rivalled Japan's over the Boks last year almost occurred with Georgia taking Ireland down to the wire and Tonga giving subsequent champs SA an almighty scare. Might that have encouraged the powers-that-be to add the Lelos to the 6 Nations and the Islands to SANZAR?
2011: Lambie's disallowed try against Australia probably prevented SA reaching the semis, while in the semis themselves Warburton's equally controversial send-off probably denied Wales a first-ever appearance in the final, while in the final itself hosts NZ went unpunished for their offside infringements in the narrow win over France. NB: France woulda been just the 5th nation to lift the trophy, in what was their 3rd attempt in the final.
2015: Certainly woulda been interesting if Scotland had beaten Australia in the 1/4s because it woulda meant a new RWC finalist for the first time since 95, and probably that team woulda been Argentina. Still, it's in the history books now, and that's all that matters.
