A relatively recent phenomenon that started in 1987, the Rugby World Cup is the world’s premiere international rugby tournament. The 1987 tournament jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia started a new era of international rugby. The 1987 RWC will forever be remembered for the brilliance of David Campese, Serge Blanco and for the excellence and determination displayed by the New Zealand All-Blacks.

Teams taking part in the tournament included all 7 IRB members and 9 associate members. 16 countries were represented in the inaugural RWC event: Australia, England, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales, Argentina, Canada, Fiji, Italy, Japan, Romania, Tonga, the United States and Zimbabwe. South Africa was not eligible to play because of the international ban due to apartheid.

The tournament started with a bang in Auckland's Eden Park, where hosts New Zealand comprehensively defeated Italy 70-6. The following day's games saw a 20-20 tie between France and Scotland in a thrilling match made memorable by Matt Duncan's last minute corner score and by Gavin Hastings missing the subsequent sideline conversion. The Rugby World Cup would not see another draw until Canada's 12-12 tie with Japan in 2007.

The 1987 tournament also gave Pacific Island nations a chance to shine on the big stage. Tonga put up a valiant effort but was thoroughly outclassed by Canada who defeated them 37-4, but it was the island nation of Fiji who surprised everyone by beating Argentina 28-9 in Hamilton.

The group games saw records crumble with alarming regularity. Fiji's next game against New Zealand saw the All Blacks demolish them 74-13 in Christchurch - a match notable for Grant Fox's 10 conversions and two penalties, and Craig Green and John Gallagher scoring four tries each. Fox's 26 points put him on par with fellow All Black Allan Hewson’s 1982 world record against Australia, but even this record was shattered by Scotland’s Hastings who scored an astounding 27 points against Romania a few days later in Dunedin. Hasting's conversion also broke the 1,000 points barrier for the Rugby World Cup.

A few hours after Hasting's record breaking 27 points, France's Didier Camberabero went on to score scored 30 in the 70-12 win over Zimbabwe in Auckland. The French crossed for 13 tries in their drubbing of Zimbabwe, equalling the record set three times previously by England in 1881, New Zealand in 1913 and France in 1924.

Scotland's star fullback Gavin Hasting's was outclassed by New Zealand's own Grant Fox when the two countries met for the first quarter final match in Christchurch. The All-Blacks triumphed 30-3, with 22 points come off Fox's foot. Meanwhile France defeated plucky Fiji 31-16 in Auckland and Australia saw off Ireland 33-15 in Sydney. Wales cemented their place in the semi-finals with a 16-3 win over rivals England.

The first semi-final between France and Australia is widely regarded as a classic thanks to the heroics of David Campese. Campese's 25th career try broke Scotland's Ian Smith's 54 year record of 24 tries. Despite Campese's achievement, the Wallabies could not overcome the Frenchman and ultimately lost out 30-24 thanks to Blanco's famous last minute try and Camberabero's conversion.

The All Blacks steamrolled Wales 49-6 at the second semi-final in Brisbane in a match featuring an unprecedented eight tries by six different scorers. The match was not without controversy as Huw Richards of Wales became the first dismissal of the RWC after throwing punches at New Zealand's Gary Whetton.

Australia lost the third place play off with Wales in a close 22-21 match that was notable for Wallaby David Codey's dismissal after only four minutes and 32 seconds - a record that still stands today.

New Zealand, at this point was unstoppable, and powered through France 29-9 in the final to win the Rugby World Cup. The All-Blacks boast some truly impressive stats in the 1987 tournament: they finished the competition with only 52 points conceded out of the 298 points scores. Grant Fox scored 17 of his 126 tournament points in the final. That combined with his 30 conversions are records for a single World Cup that still stand to this day. Fifteen different All Blacks had scored tries with Craig Green and John Kirwan leading the way with six each.

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