Wynne Gray's 50 greatest rugby moments: No 28

Michael Lynagh celebrates the match-winning try against Ireland in 1991. Photo / Getty

With regular skipper Nick Farr-Jones out with injury, Michael Lynagh led the Wallabies into their quarterfinal match against Ireland in the 1991 World Cup.

The Wallabies were a classy side, growing in unity and production and equal tournament favourites but six minutes from time in their game at Lansdowne Rd they were heading for the tournament exit.

Irish flanker Gordon Hamilton had latched onto a loose ball and and ran half the field to dive in at the corner ahead of a despairing chase group. Ireland had the lead and the 57,000 crowd went into an even greater frenzy and voice as they edged towards the upset.

The Wallabies needed a plan and strong execution if they were going to escape.

Lynagh gathered his troops in a huddle. He was clinical with his instructions as he detailed the Wallabies escape path.

They would kick long into Irish territory, pressure their opponents, get possession and the backs would pull one of their moves to claim the winning try. It sounded okay but there were a few hiccups until the Wallabies got their chance from a scrum.

Lynagh called the cut two, loop backline move. Centre Jason Little was tackled without the ball but managed to maintain possession and deliver a pass to David Campese who was dragged down just short of the line. As he fell, Campese offloaded a pass which Lynagh grasped and plunged over the line.

A Lansdowne Rd which had been in convulsion five minutes earlier, was stunned at one of the great escapes as the Wallabies booked their semifinal berth while coach Bob Dwyer commended his side's composure.

"Very interestingly, the reserves, who were sitting in front of me, turned around and said, 'we have enough time, we just have to do it right.' That try put into picture the philosophy that the team had developed," he said. " If you focus on performance, and do the small things well, results will follow."