The Biggest Upsets in International Rugby History

Despite being dominated by a handful of nations, rugby is a sport full of surprises. Underdog teams have shocked the sport’s traditional powerhouses on the biggest stages, time and time again.

Here’s a throwback to some of the biggest upsets in international rugby history. These real-life David and Goliaths prove that even when the odds say otherwise, underdogs can defy expectations and rise to beat the best.

Argentina 25-15 New Zealand (2020 Tri-Nations, November 14, 2020)

Pablo Matera and company were left in utter disbelief after the final whistle blew at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on November 14, 2020. They were in shock: beating New Zealand for the first time in a Test match felt like hitting the jackpot.

In fact, before kick-off, the Argentina squad might well have believed they’d have better luck spinning the wheel at online casinos than pulling off a win over the All Blacks. That’s just how far apart the teams were in rugby history.

Los Pumas completed a staggering 152 tackles to neutralise the world-famous Kiwi attack. New Zealand managed to register only two line breaks, and coughed up the ball 14 times. It was statistically their poorest attacking performance since playing the British and Irish Lions in 2017.

Wales 13-16 Western Samoa (1991 World Cup, October 6, 1991)

Bookmakers offered short odds for a Wales victory when they faced Western Samoa in their 1991 World Cup opener at Cardiff Arms Park. A deafening home crowd made the atmosphere intensely intimidating for the Western Samoans.

The Welshmen had a perfect record from their two previous meetings with the World Cup debutants. However, they would soon find out the hard way that this Western Samoa team was a very different proposition.

Peter Fatialofa, leading a fearsome side with names like Frank Bunce, Pat Lam, Brian Lima, and Apollo Perelini, reportedly told his men, “the Welsh have never seen tackling like Samoan tackling”. By full time, it became clear to Wales fans that he was not bluffing.

After a tight, low-scoring first half that ended 3-3, the Pacific Island nation took control early in the second half with two tries from To’o Vaega and Tuala Sila Vaifale within the first 11 minutes. An Arthur Emyr try rekindled Wales’ hopes, but Mathew Vaea’s second penalty effectively secured Samoa’s historic win, despite a late consolation try from leuan Evans.

Italy 23-18 France (Six Nations, February 3, 2013)

As perennial underdogs with nine bottom-place finishes in 12 Six Nations campaigns, Italy faced a daunting task against a French side still riding the momentum of their 2011 Rugby World Cup runners-up finish.

The odds were strongly in favour of Les Bleus picking up an effortless win in the Italian capital, but a dogged display from the Azzurri took them by surprise.

Italy went a man down with only two minutes left on the clock. But France could not make the numerical advantage count and score a late push-over try.

Sergio Parisse treated the Stadio Olimpico crowd to a true captain’s performance. The Italian skipper set the tone with an early try and signed off with 12 carries. He covered 104 meters in total, and broke the line three times.

France 12-17 Argentina (2007 World Cup, September 7, 2007)

French bookies had little reason to not feel optimistic about their team chances ahead of their 2007 World Cup opener against Argentina. France had beaten Los Pumas in 30 out of 38 Test meetings at that point.

But Argentina was ready to shock the star-studded French team in front of their own crowd. After taking an early lead, Argentina kept the pressure on and took full advantage of a nervous France performance.

The Latin Americans missed two penalties in the final minutes of the game. But, they kept their defensive discipline intact and frustrated the hosts by holding on to a 17-12 lead till the end.