LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With just over one month to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks-off in England, MasterCard today unveiled rugby fans’ votes for the most Priceless moments in the history of the tournament.
According to the report, Nelson Mandela handing South Africa captain Francois Pienaar the Webb Ellis Cup after South Africa’s victory over New Zealand in 1995 was voted one of the most priceless moments, topped only by Jonny Wilkinson’s winning drop goal in 2003 and Ireland’s shock victory against Australia in 2011.
The “Priceless Moments Report” from MasterCard, Official Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, also revealed New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu’s second try against England in the 1995 semi-final was the best try ever scored. Fellow New Zealander John Kirwan’s length of the field try against Italy in 1987 ran a close second, only narrowly surpassing Stephen Jones’ outstanding team try for Wales against England in 2003.
The Southern hemisphere domination continued when the report revealed that over a quarter of respondents voted New Zealand’s 2011 squad as the best team to ever compete at a Rugby World Cup. Martin Johnson’s winning 2003 England Rugby World Cup squad was the only Northern hemisphere team to make the top five, as the 1987 New Zealand team climbed above Australia’s 1999 line-up to round-off the top three.
Ann Cairns, president of International Markets at MasterCard, said “Every four years, the Rugby World Cup creates unforgettable moments that will forever live in the memory of rugby fans around the world. This year, MasterCard will be helping fans create and celebrate their own memories by connecting them to Priceless experiences ahead of and during Rugby World Cup 2015.”
The Priceless Moments Report was carried out for MasterCard by Motar London. There were over 4,000 respondents across 13 countries – England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, USA, Canada and Japan.
Additional information is available at newsroom.mastercard.com.
