Heartbreaking Rugby Matches

The winning side in a rugby match takes the glory though in rugby there are also the heartbreaking moments. The moments live in the memory with many often seeming like they happened yesterday. Below are a sample of five very hard results for teams from the Americas.

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1 – Brazil vs Spain – June 2019
In the first meeting between Brazil and Spain, Los Leones were convincing winners at home by 67-38 in 2017. Fast forward to 2019 and it was very different. Brazil pushed Spain to the limit in a match which went down to the wire with Brazil having an opportunity to win the match with time up.

2 – Canada vs Japan – RWC 2011
For the second consecutive RWC Canada and Japan competed in the same pool. As was the case in RWC 2007, the fixture at RWC 2011 saw the two sides competing to a draw. Of the two games it was the match at RWC 2011 which was the better one as more points were scored and the style of rugby on offer also meant for better viewing.

3 – Chile vs South Korea – November 2006
In November 2016 Chile hosted South Korea in a two-match series. In game two the Asians overcame a 36-7 deficit to win the contest 38-36 winners. To make the heartbreaking defeat even tougher on Los Cóndores was the fact that South Korea had been held pointless in the opening half.

4 – Romania vs Uruguay – November 2010
In late 2010 Romania and Uruguay played home-and-away in RWC repechage. On the line was a place at RWC 2011. In game one the teams competed to a draw in Montevideo. This meant that the winner in Bucharest would qualify for RWC 2011. The Eastern Europeans played well to defeat the South Americans and eliminate them from competing in New Zealand 2011.

5 – Argentina vs Ireland – RWC 2003
The Argentina vs Ireland RWC rivalry is legendary. The teams have met at RWCs 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2015. On all occasions the losing team has been eliminated from the tournament. In RWC 2003 Ireland competed a 1 point win over Los Pumas to send home the South Americans.

6 – USA vs Fiji – RWC 2003
In 2003 the USA Eagles almost pulled off a significant RWC upset result over Fiji. The North Americans fell agonizingly short as fly half Mike Hercus missed an attempted conversion on full-time. Had the kick been on target then the USA would have beaten Fiji in the RWC pool match.