Chris Rattue: Days etched in our memories

Trevor Chappell's delivery, ordered by brother and captain Greg, has never showed any signs of going away.

New Zealand’s last gasp Cricket World Cup semifinal victory over South Africa gripped the nation like few other sports clashes. Chris Rattue finds other sporting occasions which - helped by television coverage - stopped the nation.

1. The 2011 Rugby World Cup final, Eden Park
Viewing figures tell the story. Matches from the tournament swamped the all-time TV rating list. The initial big hit eased a little as the tournament played out, then surged to a crescendo as the All Blacks and France battled it out at Eden Park. The final was so tense that time stood still.

2. All Blacks v Springboks, third test, Eden Park, 1981
A case of a match stopping a divided nation. This was drama on a grand scale, including a low-flying plane dropping flour bombs, one of which hit All Black prop Gary Knight. This was the final chance for anti-tour/apartheid protesters to get their message across, a bizarre day that also signalled it was time for healing after the bitter tour. This match and the series have never mattered rugby-wise and are rarely included when judging the sport's balance of power. That day will never be forgotten, however.

3. All Whites v Bahrain, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 2009
An exuberant crowd of 35,000 drove the national football side on to a 1-0 victory and a place in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. After a fluky draw in Bahrain, Rory Fallon's header and Mark Paston's penalty save were the high points. Unabashed national pride was the order of the day, a trait not always prevalent in our sporting life. This was a quick hit show stopper - the long-haul qualification ride by the 1982 team also enthralled the country like no sporting journey before or since.

4. David Tua v Lennox Lewis heavyweight title fight, Las Vegas, 2000
More than 1.84 million viewers made Tua's tilt our highest rating TV show until it was overtaken by matches from the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The big hitting Tua lasted the distance, but not all the fans did. His challenge was a famous fizzer.

5. Underarm bowling controversy, Melbourne, 1981
Two of cricket's Chappell brothers conspired with an antiquated rule to make sure New Zealand lost, but the underhand delivery did more damage to their own reputations. Trevor Chappell's delivery, ordered by brother and captain Greg, may have been missed by plenty, but it had everyone's attention by the next day and has never showed any signs of going away.

6. New Zealand wins the America's Cup, San Diego, 1995
Euphoria ruled, after Team New Zealand - led by Peter Blake and Russell Coutts - demolished Dennis Connor's defenders to bring the famous trophy to New Zealand. These were openly joyous, innocent times especially compared to what has followed.

7. Michael Campbell wins the US Open, Pinehurst - North Carolina, 2005
Campbell didn't just win the Open, he held off a still-potent Tiger Woods in the final round. Campbell's career has subsequently collapsed but he did what many a golfer can only dream of by winning a major title. Cambo was the talk of the nation and beyond. The Wellingtonian even received the ultimate sports award - a hometown ticker tape parade.

8. 2000 Olympic Games opening ceremony, Sydney
Who would have guessed? A shock entrant on our list because it was one of the most watched TV shows. And who said pageantry was dead?

9. Chris Lewis v Kevin Curren, Wimbledon semifinal, London, 1983
Sport from the wee hours has never been better than the Lewis win in an epic five-setter over the power serving South African. Lewis, or Mr Nobody as he was dubbed, became the centre of national and world sports attention. The Aucklander was swept aside by legendary American John McEnroe in the final, but just getting there was a fabulous ride.

10. The Warriors' first competitive rugby league match against the Brisbane Broncos at Mt Smart Stadium, 1995
Has an opening night in sport ever been so out of kilter with what followed? A dramatic show and game promised a new era for New Zealand sport, one that hasn't arrived.

To come ... World Cup cricket final, Australia v New Zealand, Melbourne 2015
Cricket is on an amazing roll ... this will be the most-watched match ever.