Webb Ellis Cup Winners Trivia Quiz

Answer: New Zealand

David Kirk is the scrumhalf who cemented his legacy in world rugby as the man who led the New Zealand All-Blacks in the inaugural Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park in Auckland on 20 June 1987 where they beat France 29-9. Kirk became the first man to lift the Webb Ellis Cup aloft. What is quite remarkable about this is that Kirk was only named captain for RWC 1987 after the original choice, hooker Andy Dalton, suffered an injury on the eve of the tournament.

He was born on 5 October 1960 in Wellington, New Zealand, and raised in Palmerston North. He made his debut for the New Zealand All Blacks in 1983 against England and would go onto represent New Zealand in 17 test matches and served as the side's captain on 11 occasions. After the World Cup triumph, he led the All Blacks to a notable Bledisloe Cup win over the Wallabies in Sydney. He called time on his international career at the age of 26.

Answer: South Africa

Francois Pienaar led the Springboks to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup on 24 June 1995 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg following their extra time 15-12 victory over New Zealand. It was a historic moment for post-apartheid South Africa that was symbolised by Nelson Mandela presenting him with the Webb Ellis Cup while wearing Pienaar's No. 6 jersey. It was a sight that, a few short years prior, had seemed impossible as South Africa had been barred from the first two Rugby World Cups in 1987 and 1991 and were only readmitted to international rugby in 1992.

Jacobus Francois Pienaar was born on 02 January 1967 in Vereeniging, South Africa. He was a flanker who made his debut for the Springboks on 26 June 1993 against France. Between 1993 and 1996, he earned 29 international caps, all of them coming as captain. Pienaar was named International Player of the Year in 1994.

Answer: Australia

Nick Farr-Jones was a scrum-half who led Australia to their first Rugby World Cup victory at the 1991 Rugby World Cup final that was held on 02 November 1991, at Twickenham Stadium in London where Australia defeated England 12-6. Nick Farr-Jones was born on 18 April 1962 in Sydney, Australia. He debuted for the Wallabies on 03 November 1984, against England and was appointed captain of the Wallabies in 1988. He went on to earn 63 caps, 36 of which were as captain.

Known for his sharp passing, tackling, and leadership, Farr-Jones formed a record-breaking half-back partnership with Michael Lynagh and the two played 47 Tests together. Farr-Jones retired from international rugby in 1992, but briefly returned in 1993 for the Bledisloe Cup and a series against South Africa before retiring for good. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1992.

Answer: England

When Martin Johnson lifted the Webb Ellis Cup at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 22 November 2003 after England had defeated Australia by 20 points to 17, it was his final international match. He became the first captain of a northern hemisphere side to win the Rugby World Cup, having previously captained England when they reached the quarter finals of the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Martin Osborne Johnson was born on 09 March 1970 in Solihull, England. Widely considered to be one of the greatest locks England has produced, Martin Johnson made his international debut for England on 16 January 1993 against France at Twickenham. This would be the first of 84 games with the England national team of which he was captain for 39 of them. He retired from international rugby as a player on 17 January 2004.

Answer: New Zealand

When Richie McCaw, as captain of the New Zealand All-Blacks, lifted the Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham in London on 31 October 2015 after New Zealand had beaten Australia 34-17 to win the Rugby World Cup, new records were made. It was the first time that any nation had successfully defended their title, with New Zealand having beaten France 8-7 in the 2011 final held at Eden Park in Auckland on 23 October 2011. It was also the first time any captain had lifted the trophy twice. McCaw's debut for the All-Blacks was against Ireland in November 2001. An open side flanker, McCaw was appointed All Blacks permanent captain in 2006. He would go onto lead the team in a record 110 of his 148 Test matches, winning 131 overall.

Richie McCaw was born Richard Hugh McCaw on 31 December 1980 in Oamaru, New Zealand and grew up on his family's farm in the Hakataramea Valley in South Canterbury. He would lead the team in a record 110 of his 148 Test matches, winning 131 overall before retiring in November 2015 after the second World Cup triumph, at age 34. In 2015 McCaw became the youngest inductee into the Order of New Zealand (ONZ), the country's highest civilian honour.

Answer: South Africa

When John Smit was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver (OIS) for his services to South African rugby, the citation read "His excellent contribution and leadership in the sport of rugby. He captained his country to become world champions, and has been the epitome of pride and commitment". John Smit was the 50th Springbok captain and he led his side in 83 matches. He also captained the Springboks to their second Webb Ellis Cup when they defeated England 15-6 in the final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris.

John William Smit was born on 03 April 1978 in Pietersburg (now Polokwane) in Limpopo. He played his first Springbok game on 10 June 2000 against Canada and, between October 2003 and June 2007, he played in 46 consecutive Test matches for South Africa. When he retired from international rugby after the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he was the most capped Springbok with 111 caps.

Answer: Australia

The reason behind John Eales' nickname speaks volumes about his legacy as a rugby player and captain. After playing a key role in Australia's first World Cup victory in 1991 at the tender age of 21, the man known as "Nobody" because "Nobody's perfect" went on to captain the Wallabies to their second Webb Ellis Cup victory when Australia defeated France by 35 points to 9 on 06 November 1999 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Under his captaincy, Australia would collect every title and trophy available for them to contest.

John Anthony Eales was born on 27 June 1970,in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He made his debut for Australia on 21 July 1991 against Wales in Brisbane. He would go onto to win 86 caps for his country, 55 of those as captain. At the time of his retirement from international rugby in 2001, he was the most capped second-row player in history. Eales was awarded to the Order of Australia in 1999.

Answer: South Africa

On 28 May 2018 Siyamthanda "Siya" Kolisi became the 61st Springbok captain. This alone ensured him a place in the record books as he was the first black person to hold this role. He cemented his legacy by leading the Springboks to back-to-back World Cup titles and become the first country to hold aloft the Webb Ellis Cup four times. At the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, he captained the Springboks to a 32-12 victory over England in the final in Yokohama, securing South Africa a third World Cup title which tied New Zealand's record. He repeated the feat in 2023, leading South Africa to a dramatic 12-11 penalty shootout victory over New Zealand in the final in Paris.

Siya Kolisi was born on 16 June 1991 in Zwide township near Port Elizabeth. He made his international debut against Scotland on 15 June 2013. In April 2023 he was bestowed with the National Order of Ikhamanga by the South African Government for his contributions to rugby. In 2024, he was named amongst Time Magazine's Most Influential People.

Answer: New Zealand

Dan Carter, the legendary New Zealand fly half, was once described as "the complete package". During his international career, he amassed a record 1,598 points in 112 Test matches for the All Blacks which include 29 tries, 293 conversions, 281 penalties, and 8 drop goals. He twice he won the Rugby World Cup, first in 2011 at Eden Park and then again in 2015 at Twickenham where he scored the matching winning goal and earned the Man of the Match award in the final.

Daniel William Carter was born on 05 March 1982 in Southbridge, a small town south of Christchurch and he started playing rugby at the age of five. His international debut for the All-Blacks came in 2003 against Wales. He was named World Rugby Player of the Year three times in 2005, 2012 and 2015. In 2016, he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby. Dan Carter officially retired from rugby in 2021 at the age of 39.

Answer: England

Fly half Jonny Wilkinson earned his place in rugby lore at the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney when, with 28 seconds of the match remaining, he slotted a dramatic drop goal with his non-preferred right foot, to secure England's first Webb Ellis Cup as they beat Australia 20-17. During the course of the tournament his role was pivotal as he contributed 113 points which made him the tournament's top scorer.

Jonathan Peter Wilkinson was born on 25 May 1979, in Frimley, Surrey, England. He debuted for England in 1998 at age 18 on 04 April 1998 against Ireland and over the course of his international career he amassed 1 179 points in 91 caps for England. He retired from international rugby at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Answer: Australia

David Campese hurtling down a rugby field using his trademark "goose step", a deceptive, exaggerated sidestep running technique used to wrong-foot defenders and create space on the field, on his way to scoring another try was an instrumental part of Australia's 1991 Rugby World Cup victory where they defeated England 12-6 in the final at Twickenham. His six tries in the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament award.

David Ian Campese was born on 21 October 1962 in Queanbeyan, Australia. He made his international debut for Australia on 14 August 1982 against New Zealand in Christchurch at the age of 19. Over a 15-year international tenure, he earned 101 caps, scored 64 tries which was a world record at the time of his retirement after his final Test match for Australia on 15 December 1996 against Wales in Cardiff. . He was as awarded the Order of Australia in 2002 for his contribution to Australian rugby.

Answer: England

Jason Robinson is one of a select few players who have represented England in both rugby league and rugby union. However, his most notable achievement was his participation in the 2003 Rugby World Cup where he played a pivotal role. He featured in six of England's seven matches, including the final against Australia on 22 November 2003 in Sydney where he scored England's only try. England would go on to a 20-17 victory in extra time to take first Rugby World Cup title.

Jason Robinson was born on 30 July 1974 in Leeds, England. Nicknamed "Billy Whizz" after a "Beano" comic character because of his speed, his rugby union debut for England came on 17 February 2001 against Italy. In 2005 Robinson was appointed the 118th captain of England, the first mixed-race player and the first former professional rugby league footballer to captain England. He earned 51 caps and scored 28 tries for England before retiring from international rugby in 2007.