Stransky's kick wins the 1995 final. (Getty Images)
FIVE WORLD CUP SHOCKS
By Alex Lowe, PA International
Australia 24 France 30 - 1987 semi-final.
Inspired finishing from full-back Serge Blanco denied Australia their dream final against inaugural World Cup co-hosts New Zealand.
Australia held a nine-point lead heading towards half-time, but the French ran in two second-half tries as the lead swapped hands three times in quick succession.
In an audacious display of 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 up a 21-15 lead for Les
Bleus.
But Wallaby substitute David Codey crashed over, and Michael Lynagh's successful conversion left the scores tied at 21-21.
Lynagh and Camberabero then swapped penalties in a nerve-jangling final five minutes, and the two sides were neck and neck as the clock ticked over into injury time.
It was then that the French swept upfield and, with one final effort, breached the Wallaby resistance.
The ball was swept wide to Blanco who, from 30 metres out, skipped down the wing and dived full length to book his side a place in the first World Cup final.
Wales 13 Samoa 16 - 1991 group stages, Cardiff
Winger Ieuan Evans had said defeat to Western Samoa would be "the end of the world as far as Welshmen are concerned".
It was not quite that bad. But it certainly ended the World Cup hopes of a side which, only four years earlier, had registered a proud third-place finish in the inaugural tournament.
Having failed to threaten the islanders throughout a dismal first half, Wales went into the break tied at 3-3 and were then stung by a controversial opening try a minute after the restart.
It was awarded to centre To'o Vaega even though television replays indicated scrum-half Robert Jones, with a desperate dive inside his own in-goal area, had just won the race and touched the ball down first.
The Samoans then opened up a 13-3 lead after Sila Vaifale touched down - and it was only then that the Welsh looked interested.
Arthur Emyr reduced the arrears with a converted try. But Matthew Vaea's penalty put the Samoans two scores up - so when Evans touched down in injury time it was too little too late.
South Africa 15 New Zealand 12 (AET) - 1995 final.
As a symbol of the All Blacks' superiority, Jonah Lomu had literally trampled all before him as New Zealand cruised into their second World Cup final.
But there was a new sense of optimism in South Africa. Playing hosts in their first World Cup and with Nelson Mandela in the stands wearing his replica Springbok shirt, their scripts were written.
Where England had failed to deal with world rugby's new star - described by Will Carling as a "freak" - South Africa nailed him, scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen was immense and fly-half Joel Stransky made himself a national hero.
With the scores level at 9-9 on the final whistle, extra-time of 10 minutes each way was played - and it was New Zealand's Andrew Mehrtens who claimed the first advantage with his fourth penalty.
But Stransky levelled the scores and then, with seven minutes remaining, landed the crucial drop goal.
Had the scores remained level New Zealand would have won on the controversial 'fewer sendings-off' ruling.
Wales 31 Samoa 38 - 1999 group stages.
Rejuvenated under former Auckland coach Graham Henry, primary hosts Wales had high hopes for their World Cup campaign. But after victories over Argentina and Japan, Samoa proved the stumbling block once again.
A run of 10 consecutive Test victories was brought to a shuddering halt in the group stages at the Millennium Stadium on what was not a memorable day for the Welsh - despite Neil Jenkins breaking Michael Lynagh's Test points-scoring record with his first kick of the game.
Uncharacteristically, Jenkins crucially missed four kicks at goal as the Welsh struggled to overcome a Samoan side inspired by fly-half Stephen Bachop.
He scored two tries, Pat Lam one and full-back Silao Leaega finished with a spectacular 21 points.
Wales were awarded two penalty tries when Samoa buckled under intense scrummage pressure - and though wing Gareth Thomas scored a dubious try in the corner, the Welsh fell short and eventually bowed out to Australia.
France 43 New Zealand 31 - 1999 semi-final.
When Jonah Lomu produced shades of 1995 and bulldozed his way through nine French defenders to score New Zealand's opening try it looked ominous for Les Bleus.
Five Nations wooden-spoonists earlier in the year, France conceded a second try to the All Blacks' man mountain and trailed 24-10 early in the second half.
But what followed was arguably the most sustained period of exhilarating, attacking rugby ever witnessed in a Test match - let alone the World Cup.
France scored 33 points during 26 remarkable minutes, with sensational tries for wingers Christophe Dominici and Philippe Bernat-Salles, either side of a Richard Dourthe touchdown.
Fly-half Christophe Lamaison finished with 28 points from a try, four conversions, three penalties and two drop goals.
Although New Zealand full-back Jeff Wilson grabbed a consolation try in the last minute, the French had pulled off a victory which left Twickenham's capacity crowd stunned.
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