That this was the first of six World Cups without the South Africans -- isolated after a threatened boycott by several nations -- and the first time a nation other than the Five Nations or SANZAR countries made the quarterfinals.

Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D

Wales New Zealand Ireland Australia

England Argentina France Scotland

Fiji Tonga W. Samoa Canada

Romania USA Italy Japan

The All Black machine wasn't quite the powerhouse it was of the previous five years, but it didn't need to be to see off Tonga, the USA, and Argentina. The Pumas, inspired by their 20-year-old flyhalf Hugo Porta were daring and had nothing to lose. They ran in three tries against New Zealand, giving up six, but served notice that they planned to score tries at every opportunity

Perhaps the most wide open match was Wales v. England. The English had put together a group of exciting backs, led by David Duckham, and they certainly challenged John Dawes' Welsh. John Bevan was at his powerhouse best, and Wales were able to take risks in the backs, because JPR Williams lurked behind to clean up the mess.

Australia was fortunate to beat Scotland to gain a supposedly easier quarterfinal match, when fullback Arthur McGill slotted two late penalty goals, while a flawed French side was upset by the Irish team that had added the powerful and spectacular Fergus Slattery on the flank. It was, in fact, a Slattery try off a botched scrum that sealed first place for his country.

Quarterfinals:

Wales v. Argentina

New Zealand v. England

Ireland v. Scotland

Australia v. France

John Taylor scored a try and kicked two conversions in Wales' systematic destruction of the Pumas, and the proceeded to good-naturedly complain that Gerald Davies wouldn't dot down closer to the posts. Edwards, Williams, and John scored tries also, the scrumhalf's a highlight movement he started and finished. Wales 29 the hosts 9.

It's hard to believe, but it was true in 1971. England's dazzling backline play overpowered a too-conservative New Zealand squad. Fergie McCormick didn't kick well, and the forwards showed fatigue after a long season, but it was also because the likes of Duckham. Fed by either John Finlan or Dick Cowman at flyhalf, Duckham weaved and bobbed to two tries. Ably supported by the likes of Tony Neary and John Pullin, the backs opened the wounds and the forwards poured in the salt. Fullback Bob Hiller, the slowest goalkicker PQ (pre-Quesada), did not miss, and England prevailed 18-15.

It was a complete disaster for the All Blacks side that had already lost to the Lions. Not even being able to make the semifinals was difficult to take indeed, and it was no coincidence that Colin Meads called it a day after the tournament.

Ireland/Scotland, Scotland/Ireland. Who or what? Scots Number 8 Peter Brown kicked three penalties, while Gibson dropped a goal, Tom Kiernan a penalty, and prop Ray McLoughlin peeled off a McBride lineout take and drove over with Slattery on top of him. Kiernan's conversion made it 11-9 Ireland and their most successful World Cup yet.

The French, well they find a way to beat Australia, don't they? Not quite the free-flying Frenchmen of the 70s, they nevertheless seemed to score tries. Benoit Dauga, along with Walter and Claude Spanghero, provided the height and the muscle in the pack. Roland Bertranne, one of the great centers, was sweet in the open field. Australia powered back, led by Peter Johnson at hooker, flanker Greg Davis, and eightman Robert McLean, they powered over for a Davis try. But winger John Cole's run was stopped just short, and France held on 8-3.

Semifinals

England 8

Wales 13

France 6

Ireland 11

England's wild run ended smack in the face of Welsh cover defense. Loose forwards John Taylor and Mervyn Davies were all over the harried English Number 9, Nigel Starmer-Smith, and John Dawes marshaled his backs to keep Duckham isolated and ultimately toothless. JPR Williams took the opportunity to come up in attack — one of the first fullbacks to do so regularly — and scored yet another try against the hated English. Edwards tallied his record-trying seventh, and Barry John, besides setting up William and Dawes for scores, sent probing kicks into English territory all day.

The next upset for Ireland was due to defense also. Stars Kiernan and Gibson barely touched the ball, it seemed, but they were there to stop the French backs, which they did, allowing one try and one drop goal. Slattery knocked down one clearing kick which winger Alan Duggan chased down, and hooker Ken Kennedy bulled over for another try. A Kiernan penalty topped it off, and McBride's men were in the final.

Final: Wales 24 (5T, 3C, 1DG)

Ireland 8 (1T, 1C, 1P)

Third Place: England 12 (1T, 3P )

France 16 (3T, 2C, 1P)

In Buenos Aires, Gareth Edwards scored his record eighth try in the first five minutes, which John converted. The King then dropped a goal and slipped through Ireland's cover for a try of his own before the fans were all in their seats. The rout was on. Bevan and Davies each scored, as did Merv the Swerve. Duggan scored a late try to preserve Irish pride, but the dream was over.

1971 Champions: Wales