KEY POINTS:
It is almost time for the world's greatest rugby talents to stop the talking and prove that the whirlwind of hype surrounding them is justified.
Since the International Rugby Football Board - the forerunner to today's IRB - reluctantly bought into the World Cup concept in 1985, sanctioning the first tournament for two years later, it has provided a uniquely global stage for the game's best players.
This time around the likes of Daniel Carter, Bryan Habana and Brian O'Driscoll will all fancy their chances of assuming a central role in proceedings, but undoubtedly talented though they all are, they have a long way to go to match the biggest names in the tournament's 20-year history.
The first iconic moment of finals history can be traced back to the opening game of the inaugural tournament in 1987, when All Blacks wing John Kirwan beat just about the entire Italy team during a jinking 80-yard dash to the tryline.
The Kiwi side that would eventually go on to clinch the trophy at a canter was arguably the greatest XV in finals history, boasting the likes of Wayne Shelford, John Gallagher, Kirwan, the metronomic boot of Grant Fox - plus then fresh-faced youngsters Michael Jones, Sean Fitzpatrick and Zinzan Brooke.
Despite the brilliance of that side - one that would go on to sweep all before them in the coming years - the tournament itself is probably best remembered for a semi-final between Australia and France, and a match-winning try from a certain chain-smoking Gallic full-back.
A scintillating match was locked at 24-24 going into the dying moments, when a French turnover and hopeful punt up the field led to Les Bleus gaining possession on the Wallabies' 22. The ball went right and then left and eventually ended up in the hands of the great Serge Blanco, who outpaced all to cross in the corner and win the game.
An honourable mention must also go to Scotland's full-back Gavin Hastings and French fly-half Didier Camberabero.
The former scored 27 points against Romania to set an imposing-looking individual points record, only to see the latter break it later the same day when he tallied 30 against a hapless Zimbabwe.
Heading into the second finals, hosted by England in 1991, the All Blacks vintage remained unchanged from the one that had gone unbeaten from 1987 to 1990, but although they went into the tournaments as favourites, by then an ageing team was past its best.
And with the champions ripe to be dethroned, a gleeful David Campese was more than happy to oblige, ably assisted by the boot of Michael Lynagh.
The mouthy Australia wing was widely disliked, even in his homeland, for his flamboyant play that sometimes erred towards recklessness, but there was no denying his propensity for brilliance.
He scored six tries in all during the tournament, reserving the best for the semi-final crunch with New Zealand, when he angled across the Kiwi backline to open the scoring before then setting up Tim Horan for a second with a now legendary over-the-shoulder pass under intense pressure.
His infamous try-saving knock-on in the 12-6 win over England damaged his reputation still further, but the tournament was his nonetheless.
In English eyes, the 1995 finals in South Africa are probably best remembered for Rob Andrew's last-ditch drop goal that sent the Aussies packing in the quarter-finals, while Francois Pienaar's lifting of the Webb Ellis trophy for the hosts following Joel Stransky's winning drop against New Zealand is one of the game's iconic images.
But even more than with Campese four years earlier, the '95 tournament
belonged to the All Blacks' weapon of crash and destruction, Jonah Lomu.
The 19-stone, 6ft 5ins wing could cover 100metres in less than 11 seconds, and took little longer than that to send England packing in the semis - a game in which he ended with four tries to his name.
Lomu touched down seven times in South Africa, and although he would actually score one more try four years later, his impact on the '95 showpiece remains the greatest ever by an individual player.
A footnote for the All Blacks came with Simon Culhane's 45-point haul against Japan, which remains as a finals record. Poor Hastings, as eight years earlier, had set a new benchmark of 44 just hours earlier.
The quality of rugby on show was generally disappointing in Wales and the other home unions in 1999, as the Aussies romped to their second title in three attempts.
One beacon in that tournament was the semi-final between New Zealand and France, as the latter triumphed 43-31 against the odds in probably the greatest finals match.
Fly-half Christophe Lamaison starred with a brilliant creative display and perfect kicking performance, but Les Bleus were outfought by the Wallabies in the final, allowing the likeable John Eales to lift the trophy - claiming his and four other Aussies' second winners medals.
In Australia four years ago, the deadly finishing of New Zealand wings Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett lit up the predictably one-sided group stages, while France fly-half Frederic Michalak also emerged as potential star.
Both the All Blacks and Michalak came unstuck in the semi-finals, however, leaving favourites England and Australia to battle it out in Sydney.
Number 10 Jonny Wilkinson had been superb both in his control and kicking throughout the tournament, and it was fitting that his drop goal deep in extra-time of a thrilling match clinched the title.
The peerless Martin Johnson was left to lift the silverware and rightfully took his place among the Rugby World Cup's greatest figures.
- PA SPORT
