List of Rugby World Cup Winning Coaches
The Rugby World Cup is one of the most prestigious international rugby tournaments, showcasing the pinnacle of the sport. Throughout its history, various teams have claimed the coveted title of world champions. However, behind every successful team, there is a visionary coach who plays a crucial role in their triumph. In this article, we will highlight the coaches who led their teams to victory in the Rugby World Cup.
Also Read: Complete List of Rugby World Cup 2023 Referees (Officially Announced)
List of Rugby World Cup Winning Coaches
Coaches play a vital role in the team’s success. So here in this section, we will check the list of Rugby World Cup-winning coaches from 1987 to 2019.
| Year | Champion | Winning Coach |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | New Zealand | Brian Lochore |
| 1991 | Australia | Bob Dwyer |
| 1995 | South Africa | Kitch Christie |
| 1999 | Australia | Rod MacQueen |
| 2003 | England | Clive Woodward |
| 2007 | South Africa | Jake White |
| 2011 | New Zealand | Graham Henry |
| 2015 | New Zealand | Steve Hansen |
| 2019 | South Africa | Rassie Erasmus |
1987 Rugby World Cup:
Hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the inaugural Rugby World Cup witnessed New Zealand emerge as the champions. The winning coach for New Zealand was Brian Lochore, while the team was captained by David Kirk.
1991 Rugby World Cup:
England, France, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales had the privilege of hosting the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Australia claimed their first championship, led by coach Bob Dwyer. The captain of the victorious Australian team was Nick Farr-Jones.
1995 Rugby World Cup:
South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup and triumphed as the champions. Under the guidance of coach Kitch Christie, the South African team, captained by Francois Pienaar, lifted the trophy.
1999 Rugby World Cup:
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was jointly hosted by Wales, England, France, Ireland, and Scotland. Australia emerged victorious once again, with coach Rod MacQueen steering the team to success. John Eales captained the Australian side.
2003 Rugby World Cup:
Australia hosted the 2003 Rugby World Cup, which witnessed England claim their first-ever championship. Coach Clive Woodward guided the English team to glory, with Martin Johnson serving as the winning captain.
2007 Rugby World Cup:
The 2007 Rugby World Cup, hosted by France, Scotland, and Wales, saw South Africa clinch their second title. Coach Jake White led the South African team to victory, captained by John Smit.
2011 Rugby World Cup:
New Zealand hosted the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and the home team emerged as champions once again. Coach Graham Henry masterminded New Zealand’s success, with Richie McCaw leading the team as captain.
2015 Rugby World Cup:
England and Wales jointly hosted the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but it was New Zealand who secured their third championship. Under the guidance of coach Steve Hansen, New Zealand achieved back-to-back titles, captained by Richie McCaw.
2019 Rugby World Cup:
Japan had the honor of hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where South Africa reclaimed the title after 12 years. Coach Rassie Erasmus orchestrated the South African triumph, with Siya Kolisi making history as the first black captain of the Springboks.
Conclusion
The Rugby World Cup has witnessed exceptional coaching talent, with these coaches leaving an indelible mark on the tournament’s history. From Brian Lochore in 1987 to Rassie Erasmus in 2019, these coaches played a crucial role in shaping their teams into champions. Their strategic acumen, leadership skills, and ability to inspire their players were instrumental in achieving World Cup glory. The Rugby World Cup continues to be a stage for coaches to showcase their expertise, and future tournaments will undoubtedly bring new names to the illustrious list of winning coaches.
