Wallabies legend David Campese had a feeling the All Blacks were “just about finished” heading into the 1991 World Cup.
Australia beat New Zealand in a semi-final before defeating England 12-6 in the final to be crowned world champions for the first time.
Campese, who scored six tries to be named Player of the Tournament, says the All Blacks weren’t at their formidable best prior to the 1991 showpiece.
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“In all my years I played New Zealand, the only time I knew we’d beat them was in 1991,” Campese told SEN’s This Is Your Journey – thanks to Tobin Brothers.
“We played them in Sydney, we beat them 24-15. Two weeks later we lost 6-3. After that game I could see they were just about finished.
“To win a World Cup was unbelievable, it was just a mental process. You’ve got to turn up for six weeks and game gets easier.”
Campese represented the Wallabies at three World Cups in 1987, 1991 and 1995.
The champion winger scored a record 64 tries across 101 caps for Australia between 1982 and 1996.
Australia will host the men’s World Cup in 2027 and women’s World Cup in 2029.