Rugby World Cup 2019: The most iconic images in history from Nelson Mandela to the Queen

Take a journey through rugby union history ahead of the ninth World Cup in Japan

Jack de Menezes
Miyazaki
Thursday 12 September 2019 07:12 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Who will become the ninth lucky captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on the 2 November? The answer will be revealed over the course of the next seven weeks when Rugby World Cup plays out in Japan.

It’s a tournament that has supplied many iconic images over the last 32 years, from Nelson Mandela’s ground-breaking moment with Springboks captain Francois Pienaar in 1995 to the sight of Queen Elizabeth II being introduced to England squads eight years apart in 1991 and 1999.

And who can forget Jonny Wilkinson’s famous extra-time drop-goal to clinch the 2003 tournament, or the way New Zealand finally ended 24 years of hurt?

They all feature in the most iconic images in Rugby World Cup history, where we take a walk back through each of the global gatherings and the moments that defined them along the way.

Click through the gallery above to see each image.

Listen to Episode Two of The Indy Rugby Podcast above.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in