Does England still have what it takes to win the Rugby World Cup? These days it's all about winning breakdowns and the power behind kicks

  • Last three World Cup-winning sides have all had specialist breakdown operators in Richie McCaw, Schalk Burger and Neil Back
  • Back row forwards traditionally score high in Duracell #PowerCheck scores
  • Having a composed an accurate kicker is also vital in a World Cup 
  • Rugby World Cup 2015: CLICK HERE for all the latest news and more 

By Joe Ridge for MailOnline

Published: 17:52 EST, 17 September 2015 | Updated: 05:03 EST, 21 September 2015

This year's edition will be the eighth Rugby World Cup since the first in New Zealand 1987 and what it takes to win it has certainly changed over the years.

The World Cup has produced four different winners. The All Blacks won the inaugural tournament and again conquered the world in 2011. England's 2003 win is well documented on these shores and the other four Webb Ellis trophies have been shared two apiece by Australia and South Africa.

But the game has changed dramatically since that first tournament in 1987, however, with players and matches taking on a different dimension since the sport turned professional in the 1990s.

Richie McCaw holds aloft the William Webb Ellis trophy after New Zealand won the World Cup four years ago 

Richie McCaw holds aloft the William Webb Ellis trophy after New Zealand won the World Cup four years ago 

England's players celebrate wildly after their 2003 triumph which saw them win every match

England's players celebrate wildly after their 2003 triumph which saw them win every match

As such, measuring what it takes to win a World Cup ahead of this year's tournament in England is best done by looking at the last three editions.

Power was the buzzword in England's 2003 triumph and the combination of physical strength and endurance only became more important during South Africa's 2007 win and the All Blacks' long-awaited second success four years ago.

Duracell has designed a unique new way to measure individual performances, with each player given a #PowerCheck score for each match the play.

The #PowerCheck data over the last three World Cups makes for fascinating reading and offers a key insight into what a side needs to do to win.

 

WIN THE BREAKDOWN BATTLE

Have a look at the top-scoring #PowerCheck players for the closing stages of any World Cup and you'll find the list littered with back-row players.

In 2003, England's veteran trio of Lawrence Dallaglio, Neil Back and Richard Hill were vital to their success with all three scoring in the top 10 in the #PowerCheck in both the final and the semi-final.

The England back row trio of (left to right) Neil Back, Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill celebrate in 2003

The England back row trio of (left to right) Neil Back, Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill celebrate in 2003

Having a world class operator at openside flanker is vital to any side's chances of obtaining quick ball and forcing turnovers at the breakdown and South Africa certainly had that in the form of Schalk Burger in 2007.

The blonde bruiser scrapped his way into the top 10 #PowerCheck scores in all six matches he played in that year, was the highest-scoring player in the semi-final win over Argentina and the second-highest scoring Springbok in the win over England in the final.

New Zealand's iconic No 7 Richie McCaw, arguably the greatest breakdown operator ever, showed that the battle on the floor was just as important in 2011 as it was in 2007 and 2003 as he led the All Blacks to World Cup glory last time around.

Schalk Burger (left) celebrates South Africa's 2007 triumph with Bryan Habana (right) and Bismarck du Plessis. Burger wore the No 6 jersey throughout the tournament as is customary with South African opensides

Schalk Burger (left) celebrates South Africa's 2007 triumph with Bryan Habana (right) and Bismarck du Plessis. Burger wore the No 6 jersey throughout the tournament as is customary with South African opensides

McCaw was second only to his French opposite number Thierry Dusautoir in the #PowerCheck scores for the 2011 final, while he top-scored in the semi-final win over Australia, where he was joined in the top 10 by back row colleagues Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino.

Win the battle at the breakdown and it is highly likely you will win the match. Win every match and you'll win the World Cup. Sounds simple when you put it like that, doesn't it?

 

KICK YOUR POINTS

Fine margins are at play in World Cups, particularly in the latter stages, and possessing a calm and accurate kicker in your ranks can be the difference between glory and failure.

Sir Clive Woodward, who led England to their 2003 crown, wrote in Daily Mail recently: 'The reality is that you will never win a World Cup without your goal-kicker being in top form.'

And he is right. In four of the last five finals kicking has been the deciding factor.

Jonny Wilkinson lands his famous drop goal with his weaker right foot to deliver England the World Cup

Jonny Wilkinson lands his famous drop goal with his weaker right foot to deliver England the World Cup

In 2011, New Zealand won by a solitary point and would have lost had France fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc landed one of the two penalty attempts he missed.

In 2007, the victory margin was greater - South Africa beating England 15-6 - but with no tries scored Percy Montgomery's boot was sole scoring outlet for the Springboks.

England and Australia scored a try apiece in the 2003 final but, as we all know, Jonny Wilkinson's kicking - off right foot and left - was what delivered the Webb Ellis trophy. He scored 60 on the Duracell #PowerCheck that evening, joint-fourth of the 40 players to have played in the match.

The 1995 final followed a similar pattern to that in 2003, with South Africa fly-half Joel Stransky kicking the winning drop goal in extra time having shared 24 points from penalties with his All Black counterpart Andrew Mehrtens up to that point.

Joel Stransky of South Africa watches as his drop goal sails over to seal 1995 glory for the Springboks

Joel Stransky of South Africa watches as his drop goal sails over to seal 1995 glory for the Springboks

Australia's 35-12 win over France is the one exception to the rule of World Cup finals being tight, low-scoring affairs but even then, in the last World Cup held in England, Wallabies full back Matt Burke kicked 23 points.

So there you have it: outmuscle your opposition at the breakdown and take your opportunities with the boot and the World Cup is yours.

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