But it was the Welsh again who were the kings of smooth, wide-open Northern Hemisphere rugby. An experienced Gareth Edwards was now passing to side-stepping Phil Bennett, who had Steve Fenwick and Ray Gravell outside him, and one of the best deep threes of all times in Gerald Davies, J.J. Williams, and JPR. New in the forwards was mutton-chopped Graham Price, soon to be one of the best tightheads of all time he joined clubmate Tony Faulkner and Bobby Windsor in the front row.

The All Blacks entered as third-favorites. Led by the huge, strong try-scoring flanker Ian Kirkpatrick, the New Zealanders boasted Grant Batty and Bryan Williams on the wings, Bruce Robertson centering the threequarters (assisted by Bob Osborne or Lyn Jaffray). Sid Going camped out behind a pack that was big and mobile but, to its detriment, not dominant.

The pools were dominated by European teams, as some South Islands had a hard time paying for the trip north.

Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D

Wales France Ireland New Zealand

Scotland England Rhodesia Australia

USA Romania Fiji Argentina

Ivory Coast Japan Italy Canada

The biggest surprise in this tournament was Rhodesia. South Africa being excluded from the competition, many Springbok-eligible players cashed in their Rhodesian connections to make it to the 1975 World Cup. There were some grumblings, but nothing too loud or too influential. Rhodesia was not South Africa, after all. The Rhodesians trundled over Fiji and Italy and almost beat Ireland, too. Up against a mighty center pairing, Gibson persisted in trying to slip through, which he did late, feeding Tom Grace on the wing for a pretty try. Fergus Slattery added another and it was Ireland 10-6.

This was one of the best showings for the United States, which had officially its union in '75. Outmatched by talented Welsh and Scottish sides, they nevertheless tackled very hard and kept games close, thanks to Skip Neibauer on the flank and Dave Stephenson at center. Lock Craig Sweeney scored a try, and Kip Oxman kicked well as they managed to beat the Ivory Coast.

In Pool D, Puma flyhalf Hugo Porta scored the third-most points ever in a World Cup as he tallied 67 points (aided in part by the new 4-point value for tries). But Argentina was up against Australia and New Zealand, and, along with a tough but overmatched Canadian side, had to go home.

Quarterfinals:

Wales v. Rhodesia

France v. Australia

Ireland v. Scotland

New Zealand v. England

Wales had never beaten South Africa, but they prevailed over Rhodesia 18-9. Having scored over 100 points in pool play, the Welsh were held to only six (two Bennett penalties) in the first half. Tries by JPR Williams and Derek Quinnell put the red shirts through to the semis.

The French had to be shaking their heads wondering what they did to draw Australia for a quarterfinal game. The game was extremely rough, and Rives played on with his trademark bloody head wound. The French speed was held in check much of the game. Flankers Tony Shaw and Gregory Cornelson led a tough pack who didn't back down. A full-on fistfght between lock Garrick Fay and Bastiat was narrowly averted, thankfully. Flyhalf Paul McLean kicked his third penalty for a 9-6 Wallaby lead. Winger Paddy Batch added a try, but the French turned the ball inside, with Paparemborde and Jean-Pierre Bastiat scoring tries to take down the Wallabies 16-13.

For Scotland, fullback Andy Irvine began to raise his points total. Attacking more than any fullback in the game, and booting goals from more than 50 meters, Irvine was a wonder. Irvine scored two tries, three penalties, and three conversions (center Jim Renwick also dotted down) for 23 points. Ireland scored. Ireland scored 12 in what was Willie John McBride's final World Cup game.

For New Zealand, Sid Going was still awesome, and Bruce Robertson crashed and tackled hard all day. Robertson sent a kick wide for Williams to chase down and score, and he contributed a drop goal as well. England were fun to watch, but still the group of gentlemanly amateurs.

Semifinals:

Wales v. Scotland

New Zealand v. France

The Welsh mystique continued as Gerald Davies broke out of a mild try-scoring slump to score twice, and Price added a try. Wales were up 19-18 when Ian McGeechan exploited an overlap and set up Irvine for a try. The fullback missed the conversion, but he had scored another 14 points. Off the restart, Fenwick kicked for space out wide left. J.J. Williams hacked on and was only just forced out of touch. From the lineout Wales won the loose ball, rolled it back to Edwards, who slipped around the side for a patented Edwards score. 23-22 Wales.

In Paris, France had tens of thousands of drunken Frenchmen on their side, and they needed them. Rives and Skrela worked hard to box in Going, ruining his service to the backs. A frustrated Bryan Williams was held tryless, while French wings Gourdon and Lux each score. 17-12 France.

Final:

Wales 32

France 13

Playoff:

New Zealand 18

Scotland 14

The greatest attacking rugby side in the world unloaded all its weapons in a record-breaking scoring spree. Edwards scored his 16^th and final World Cup try. J.J. Williams blazed over the hard Parc Des Princes ground for two, and Steve Fenwick contributed a try and a drop goal. Roland Bertranne left early in the second half after a very hard Ray Gravell tackler, and the French unity suffered a Bennett penalty and a Gerald Davies try rounded out the destruction. Wales had their second in a row. Anyone for three?

In the playoff, Scotland didn't get into the game until late. Irvine's six points gave him a record 90 for a tournament.

1975 Champions: Wales