Wynne Gray's 50 greatest rugby moments: No.9

Stirling Mortlock begins his intercept run during the 2003 World Cup semifinal against the All Blacks. Photo / Getty

Away on his left All Black five eighths Carlos Spencer saw the chance.

So did Wallaby centre Stirling Mortlock who had been pinned on defence for some time with his teammates. He was not the quickest outside back in world rugby but his intercept timing was on the money as he belted 80m for the converted try.

The energy of the 2003 World Cup semifinal at Homebush, shifted in that pivotal moment. Some of the air went out of the All Black tyres and the host Wallabies' confidence went up another notch.

Before the test they had delivered a range of taunts and questions with coach Eddie Jones in the forefront of the needling. One of his primary targets was Spencer who had been in sharp form in a quarterfinal victory against the Springboks.

Jones questioned whether Spencer had the ability to repeat that showing under extra heat in the semi, former Wallaby Paul McLean doubted Spencer would hold his composure and rent a quote former looseforward Sam Scott-Young added the trimmings.

"Get a hold of the snotty little guy with the tattoos," he said, "niggle him, smash him in defence, mess up his hair and he'll get cranky and start looking for who's coming at him next. Watch his game deteriorate under that sort of pressure."

As the All Blacks looking to compose themselves after the shock intercept, George Smith hammered Justin Marshall, late, in the ribs. The flanker was warned and penalized but no more while Marshall was so badly damaged he left the field after halftime, replaced by Byron Kelleher who was not sharp after hamstring problems.

He was also the butt of George Gregan's sharp "four more years" sledge late in the match.
Spencer recovered some of his strut with a break to set up a try for captain Reuben Thorne however the frailties of the All Black lineout and a static team pattern meant the Wallabies surged to a 22-10 victory.

It was a repeat semifinal shock for the All Blacks after their World Cup exits at the same stage in 1991 and 1999. Coaches John Mitchell and Robbie Deans got the bullet while Spencer did not see out the next year as Daniel Carter was promoted to run the backline.