What would have happened if the Rugby World Cup weren’t entering its fourth tournament in 1999, but instead was celebrating its 13th? Debatable as it is whether a world cup would ever have been approved in the 1950s, it’s still fun to speculate on who would have one the cups in past years.

Using a variety of criteria, including test match records, home field advantage, and the presence of individual stars, we can come up with a plausible, or at least interesting, listing of the imaginary World Cups from 1951 to 1983. A word of caution, however. Using test match records from a year before the World Cup date to a year after can be misleading. Case in point — using New Zealand records vs. South Africa from 1992 to 1996 (NZ won 7 lost 1, drew 1), you’d reasonably conclude that New Zealand would have beaten South Africa in the 1995 World Cup Final, which of course is not the case. See again in 1999 how the All Blacks were Tri-Nations champions, but faltered in the tournament in October. So the methodology can be faulty, but that an be cancelled out (or exacerbated) by the writer’s own whims and prejudices.

It started as an offhand comment by some South African press. After the Springboks' 4-0 whitewash of the All Blacks in the 1949 tour, they started labeling the 'Boks the "best team in the world." Several other nations grumbled about the claim (they didn't deny it, they just grumbled about it)

That claim angered several other nations, as well, simply because the Springboks had beaten the All Blacks, said Ireland flyhalf Jackie Kyle, didn't make them the best.

Things started to move fairly quickly, then. Officials from both New Zealand and South Africa began discussions for a home-and-home series, which was quickly expanded to include Australia, and then maybe even the Home Nations. By 1950, the year the soccer World Cup was revived after a 12-year hiatus, it was obvious a world championship of sorts would be played out. Since the driving forces behind the tournament were New Zealand and South Africa, a neutral country, Australia, was chosen to host the games.

In all, 16 countries were invited  England, Scotland, Wales, France, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Italy, Tonga, Fiji, Japan, Canada, United States, and Western Samoa. Of those, England declined, saying the tournament smacked of the beginnings of professionalism.

"They're just miffed 'cause they didn’t think of it first," said one New Zealand journalist.

"Just because they've gone professional down there, doesn't mean we have to up here," replied an English observer.

Nevertheless, English players were told to stay home, or be banned. RFU pressure was then exerted on the other Home Nations, but it wasn't really necessary. Scottish Union officials had displayed greater horror at the World Cup and had never intended to send a team, and Wales also said no thanks.

Understandably, Five Nations champions Ireland rebelled, however, reasonably assuming this could be their big chance to prove their place in world rugby. France also sent a team, while the Italians, citing finances, stayed home. The U.S. and Canada requested to send a combined side, duly granted. As teams began to assemble in May, 1951, a combined side of English, Welsh, and Scottish players — all on the verge of retirement or about to switch to League anyway — arrived for the tournament. The Great Britain team was allowed to play despite significant protests from the French and Australians.

One concession was made to the sensibilities of international rugby. This was an unofficial contest, and therefore no caps were awarded for any tests played therein. That is why you won’t find these matches in any records. To the IRB, there never existed.

1951 Tournament:

Pool A Pool B Pool C

New Zealand South Africa Ireland

France Britain Australia

Argentina W. Samoa North America

Fiji Japan Tonga

Pool winners and runners-up advanced, with the top two winners (tries scored) received a bye to the semis.

The rugby itself was outstanding, with Pool A providing some wide open play courtesy especially of Fiji and Argentina. There were several very close games. New Zealand just squeaked by France 14-12 on a late drop goal by flyhalf sensation Tommy Lynch, while Ireland and Australia began a storied rivalry with a very tough, and at times bloody, contest. The Wallabies were spearheaded by try-scoring flanker Colin Windon and drop-goal specialist John Hawthorne. In fact, a Hawthorne drop goal and a Windon converted try accounted for all of the Wallabies’ points. But a drop goal and a penalty by Kyle kept the Irish close until Irish flanker James McCarthy dove over in injury time for a famous 9-8 Irish victory.

The South Africans continued their winning ways, with power in the backs and prop Okey Geffin kicking goals, they had little trouble scoring points. The Springbok centers were the heart of the backline — Ryk Van Schoor provided fierce tackling, while Tjol Lategan weaved through defenses, scoring three tries against Japan and one each against Britain and Western Samoa.

Second Round:

South Africa bye

Ireland bye

New Zealand vs. Australia

Britain vs. France

The French, directed by Joe Carbignac at flyhalf, proved too fast and too imaginative for a disjointed British team, winning going away 16-6. South Africa, possibly the most wide open team in the world, earned a bye, as did Ireland. The All Blacks, playing it more defensively, met Australia in the second round, while Britain took on France. New Zealand won 11-3, thanks to a converted try by lock Bonzo White and two Bob Scott penalties. The French backs proved too much for Britain, winning 18-13.

Semifinals:

South Africa 22

Ireland 9

New Zealand 20

France 17

The big showdown between the ‘Boks and the Irish came down to the fierce, fierce South African tacklers. Kyle was knocked woozy early on by Van Schoor (just as the South African has done to All Black Freddie Allen two years before), and tackle upon tackle popped Irish possession loose.

The New Zealand v. France game was a classic, with the All Blacks holding off a late charge by the French. France in fact scored more tries, four, than New Zealand, three, but fell to Scott’s superior kicking.

Final. South Africa 13 (2T, 2C, 1P) New Zealand 12 (1T, 2P, 1DG)

Third Place Match: Ireland 10 (2T 2C) France 8 (1T 1C 1P)

Talk again moved to the subject of Southern Hemisphere invincibility as the South Africans met the All Blacks in the final everyone expected. The All Blacks took an early lead on two Bob Scott penalties, but surrendered a pushover try near half time, 6-5. Early in the second half, fullback Johnny Buchler notched a try, which Okey Geffin converted, and at 10-6, the 'Boks took the lead. A drop goal later, and at was 13-6. But the All Blacks weren't done. Winger Ron Jarden intercepted a Springbok pass with eight minutes to go, diving over in the corner. The Springbok defense held firm after that, and with the All Blacks unable to break the goal line, settled for a Lynch drop goal. It was just a point short, and the Springboks' boast was justified.

1951 Champions: South Africa