8 scrum-halves who guided their team to World Cup glory
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Aaron Smith of the New Zealand All Blacks passes during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
David Kirk (captain), New Zealand – 1987
Fresh-faced but a hard-bitten competitor. Kirk was nippy around the fringes and scored NZ's second try as they overwhelmed France 29-9 in the inaugural World Cup final in Auckland.
Nick Farr-Jones (captain), Australia – 1991
Irrepressible character with the speed of an outside back. Skippered the Wallabies to victory over NZ in the semis, and kept Will Carling's England at bay 12-6 in the Twickenham final.
Joost van der Westhuizen, South Africa – 1995
The late great Joost made it his mission to man-mark Jonah Lomu in SA's 15-12 triumph at Ellis Park. Brave, a superb athlete, and a ferocious combatant with the finishing skills of a wing.
George Gregan, Australia – 1999
Instant legend after miracle tackle on NZ's Jeff Wilson. Unshakeable confidence, huge work rate, great tactical nous in 35-12 dusting of France in Cardiff – and “four more years” sledger in 2003.
Kyran Bracken/Matt Dawson, England – 2003
Two competing world class 9s kept both pin-sharp – and England in pole. Dawson's break before Wilkinson's 20-17 drop-goal in Sydney was a product of Bracken pushing him all the way.
Fourie du Preez, South Africa – 2007
The strategic hub of the Springbok victory in 2007. Fast, elusive, and a lethal finisher who seized chances in the blink of an eye. Tactical kicking nailed England in SA's 15-6 final win in Paris.
Piri Weepu/Andy Ellis, New Zealand 2011
Not quite in the same class as those 9s who preceded them, but Weepu's goal-kicking was crucial to NZ squeezing over the line 8-7 against France in Auckland, and Ellis could raise the tempo.
Aaron Smith, New Zealand – 2015
Practice makes perfect, and Smith's pass is a beauty, combining great footwork, balance and dexterity. It buys NZ backs split seconds. High tempo dynamo in 34-17 final win over Australia.
