Andrew watches THAT drop goal in 95. (Getty Images)

By Alex Lowe, PA International

Australia 24 France 30 - 1987 semi-final.

The inaugural World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, was a shadow of the multi-million pound extravaganza it is today.

In fact only 17,000 fans turned up at Concord Oval in Sydney to watch one of the most thrilling Test matches ever played, sealed in injury time by a characteristic flash of brilliance from French full-back Serge Blanco.

After Australia had edged a tense first half 9-6, the lead changed hands three times in quick succession in an inspired clash of virtuoso, attacking rugby.

David Campese's superb try for Australia was sandwiched by scores from Philippe Sella and Patrice Lagisquet before Didier Camberabero landed a penalty to open a 21-15 lead for Les Bleus.

But Wallaby substitute David Codey crashed over, and Lynagh's successful conversion left the scores tied at 21-21 heading into a nerve-shredding final five minutes in which the Australian fly-half and his opposite number Camberabero swapped penalties.

As the clock ticked over into added time, France launched one final assault on the Australian line - and broke the deadlock in sensational fashion as Blanco danced down the line from 30 metres out to dive over and seal a final appearance against New Zealand.

Ireland 18 Australia 19 - 1991 quarter-final.

Michael Lynagh's last-minute stretch for the line denied Ireland what would have been a famous victory over the World Cup favourites.

It was a shattering moment for the gallant Irish, who had edged in front for the first time in the match when flanker Gordon Hamilton stormed over to make it 18-15 late in the game.

In the wet and mud of Lansdowne Road, David Campese was the only Wallaby to shine - scoring twice before creating the last-gasp opportunity for Lynagh.

It was 6-6 at half-time, Ireland fly-half Ralph Keyes kicking two penalties to cancel out Campese's first try after 16 minutes.

A Lynagh penalty was answered by a drop goal from Keyes, but Australia went 15-9 ahead in the 52nd minute when Campese finished off an incisive threequarter move.

A Keyes penalty on the hour reduced the arrears before Hamilton charged 25 yards to score.

But Ireland's lead lasted only three minutes. In a thrilling finale Campese broke to within yards of the line, and Lynagh was on hand to snatch the victory.

England 25 Australia 22 - 1995 quarter-final.

Rob Andrew's injury-time drop goal gave England sweet revenge for their 1991 World Cup final defeat to Australia.

England had swept into a 13-3 lead by first-half injury-time, after Tony Underwood had broken clear from 65 metres for the game's opening try and Andrew had been typically reliable with the boot.

But Australia closed to 13-13, with winger Damian Smith touching down 40 seconds into the second half and Michael Lynagh landing the conversion.

From there on, Andrew and Lynagh jousted in a gripping kicking duel - with neither side able to open more than a three-point lead.

Andrew's fifth penalty levelled the scores five minutes from time; David Campese then missed an attempted drop goal for Australia before Andrew marshalled his pack to drive on and on, as far as they could, before he unleashed a drop goal of almost 50 metres to seal the win.

Australia 27 S Africa 21 (AET) - 1999 semi-final.

South Africa had won the 1995 World Cup with an extra-time drop goal - and were deposed as reigning champions in similar fashion as Stephen Larkham landed a mammoth overtime effort from 50 metres.

The match produced no tries. But the Twickenham crowd were transfixed by a pulsating encounter which was forced into extra time when the Springboks' drop-goal king Jannie de Beer struck another seven minutes into injury time to level the scores at 18-18.

De Beer's extra-time penalty then edged the Springboks ahead. But having started the match the stronger, Australia also finished on top - and two Matt Burke penalties preceded Larkham's monster goal which booked their second appearance in a World Cup final.

South Africa's run of 10 unbeaten World Cup matches was ended in a fashion so remarkable that the crowds at Twickenham stood in awe long after the final whistle.

France 43 New Zealand 31 - 1999 semi-final.

Just a day after Australia won a tryless epic over South Africa, France produced the greatest fightback and biggest upset in World Cup history to beat favourites New Zealand at Twickenham.

Five Nations wooden-spoonists earlier in the year, France looked down and out after Jonah Lomu had stormed his way to two tries - the first through nine defenders - and New Zealand held a 24-10 lead early in the second half.

But Les Bleus scored 33 points during 26 remarkable minutes to secure a final appearance against the Wallabies.

Fly-half Christophe Lamaison contributed 28 points, including a try and two drop-goals - while there were also touchdowns for wings Christophe Dominici and Philippe Bernat-Salles, either side of a Richard Dourthe five-pointer.

New Zealand full-back Jeff Wilson grabbed a consolation try in the last minute. But as they had done the previous day, Twickenham's 70,000 capacity stood in stunned honour at what they had witnessed.