Rugby 2019

RUGBY Your FREE guide to the 2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP

JAPAN

20 SEPTEMBER–2 NOVEMBER 2019 oliverlee.co.nz

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RUGBY2019

CONTENTS

UGBY WORLD CUP 2019: PREVIEWS: POOL B 6 RTOURNAMENT 30 TGetEAM REVIEW to grips with the teams from MANAGING EDITOR: Oliver Lee EDITOR: Peter White SUB-EDITOR: Elise McDowell PAGINATION: HNZL Limited COVER: ONTIME Associates PHOTOGRAPHY: photosport.nz Getty Images @World Rugby PRINTER: Ovato Auckland PUBLISHER:

A preview of the upcoming tournament and the factors likely to predict success.

LL BLACKS CAPTAIN: 9 AKIERAN READ

From humble beginnings to All Blacks captain at the Rugby World Cup.

UGBY WORLD CUP VENUES 10 RFacts and figures on the 12 stadiums where 48 Rugby World Cup games will be played.

AND FIGURES 12 FWillACTS this year’s Rugby World Cup

improve on any of these statistics?

BLACKS PROFILES 17 AWeLLprofile the 31 All Blacks

selected to play for New Zealand at Rugby World Cup 2019.

PREVIEWS: POOL B 33 TSeeEAM how Namibia and Canada have

RUGBY WORLD CUP 1987.

been preparing for the tournament.

EAM PREVIEWS: POOL C 34 TBoth England and France have the Webb Ellis Cup in their sights.

EAM PREVIEWS: POOL C 37 TAssess the Rugby World Cup fortunes of the teams from Argentina and the USA.

PREVIEWS: POOL C 38 TA EAM preview of how the Tongan team is tracking.

PREVIEWS: POOL D 39 TAreEAM Australia likely to reach the

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011.

PREVIEWS: POOL A EAM PREVIEWS: POOL D 23 TA EAM 41 THave preview of the teams from Ireland a look at the teams from and Scotland.

Wales and Georgia.

BLACKS POSTER 24 AGetLLready 42 TEAM PREVIEWS: POOL D to support the All Blacks for Rugby World Cup 2019.

Box 331-667, Takapuna, Auckland 0740, New Zealand T: 09 486 6966 E: oliver@oliverlee.co.nz W: oliverlee.co.nz

South Africa and Italy.

Rugby World Cup final?

Fiji and Uruguay round-off the team previews.

PREVIEWS: POOL A UGBY WORLD CUP: 26 TGetEAM to know the teams from Japan 44 R2019 MATCH SCHEDULE and Russia.

PREVIEWS: POOL A 28 TA EAM look at Samoa’s squad and build-up to the tournament.

POOL B 29 THowEAMare PREVIEWS: the All Blacks looking ahead of the Rugby World Cup?

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015.

Your complete timetable to the 48 Rugby World Cup games.

NOW A LOT ABOUT 46 KRUGBY WORLD CUPS?

Take this quiz and see if your knowledge of tournaments past is up-to-scratch.

NOTE: The TAB odds quoted throughout the magazine were correct on 4 September 2019.

ISSN 2463-7041 (Print) ISSN 2463-705X (Online)

COPYRIGHT: Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any loss due to use of material in this magazine.

WINNER 2019?

RUGBY WORLD CUP SET TO SPARKLE IN JAPAN

the All Blacks managed to beat France 8–7 in the final to earn their second title.

Four years ago in England, the All Blacks were far more dominant and thoroughly deserved their 34–17 victory over Australia in the final to claim title number three.

Now attention falls on Japan. The 2019 Rugby World Cup is likely to be the most difficult of all the tournaments since 1987 to pick a winner.

by PETER WHITE

Gone is the dominance of the All Blacks. Ireland, South Africa and Australia have all enjoyed victories over the world champions in recent seasons. If a changing of the guard has happened in world rugby, it may be as much psychological as anything else.

When organisers put together the hastily arranged opening ceremony for the 1987 Rugby World Cup held in Auckland, no one could have envisaged just how quickly the tournament would take hold.

The days when teams used to nervously front the All Blacks traditional pre-game haka are long gone.

If the weather is kind in Japan at the knock-out stages, then the ability to score points from long-range counter attacks may well be the key factor in who wins this Rugby World Cup.

Now we are awaiting the ninth version of Rugby World Cup, which is being held in Japan over a seven-week period and will attract the most coverage of a global sporting event behind the summer Olympics and the Football World Cup.

The All Blacks have trialled playing champion first-five and 2016 and 2017 World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett at fullback with this very factor in mind.

New Zealand won that first event in 1987 after defeating France in the final but any thoughts the All Blacks would have a mortgage on winning the golden Webb Ellis Cup were quickly dispelled.

In Richie Mo’unga they have a younger first-five with an arsenal of world-class skills, so they can afford to make the switch.

Australia (1991 and 1999) and South Africa (1995 and 2007) have won two tournaments each with England triumphant in Australia in 2003.

The introduction of new wingers George Bridge and Sevu Reece against Australia in Auckland last month, at the expense of Rieko Ioane and Ben Smith who are both wonderful players, was to generate more explosive speed.

The pressure was ramped up on the perennial world numberone team when Rugby World Cup returned to New Zealand in 2011. In what could hardly be called a convincing performance,

“You need gas out wide,” as so famously said by former All Black Earle Kirton, and he is right. With top-class forward packs generally having parity at set pieces, it is the ability of teams to score tries from anywhere that wins matches.

Playing Barrett and Mo’unga also gives the All Blacks two worldclass goal-kickers on the pitch together, a luxury none of the other top six teams are likely to have. In such a closely contested tournament the importance of kicking goals is paramount.

If not the All Blacks, then who wins? The TAB has England and South Africa as second-equal favourites, while Ireland, Wales and Australia fill the remaining top six positions.

That is probably about right on form over the last 12 months.

Fans of Six Nations’ powerhouses Wales, Ireland and England certainly have reason to believe that a Northern Hemisphere team may finally break the All Blacks’ winning sequence.

What is certain is that Japan will run the most well-organised sporting event in living memory.

The impact on the growing sport of rugby in the country will be immense with the positive increase in playing numbers likely to be seen for many years to come.

It should be an unforgettable experience ahead.

RICHIE McCAW holds aloft the Webb Ellis Cup after the 2015 final.

6

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Driving the All Blacks for 25 years.

ford.co.nz

The Driving Force behind the All Blacks.

OUR No.8 WILL ALWAYS BE No.1 When it comes to team players, Kieran Read is up there with the best. Whether he’s wearing the legendary black jersey or his Plumbing World T-shirt, he always gives 110%.

So before you head off, Kieran, we just want to say thanks we’re super proud of you.

From your other team in black.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS EMERGED A GREAT LEADER

So it was no easy task for a man like Read who at first was uneasy in the glare of television cameras. But he has blossomed into a clear, precise speaker and one who can be relied on to give honest reactions in his post-match interviews.

Read is also not one to shy away from important issues. He has used his status to support important causes such as men’s mental health.

Kieran Read wants to finish his All Blacks career on a high. by PETER WHITE

On his Facebook page he posted a message that has been shared widely to help encourage men to open up about issues they may be going through.

“If only men weren’t so reluctant to talk to a good mate or family when they’re going through tough times. We certainly need to out on the paddock when things aren’t going so well, so the same rules should apply off the field. C’mon men let’s start talking when times get tough.”

Kieran Read will lead the All Blacks in Japan in pursuit of a record third-consecutive Rugby World Cup title.

The 33-year-old No 8 typifies everything New Zealanders like about their sports stars – being uncompromising, fearless, humble, respectful of others and with good family values.

Getting the balance right in life has always been a mark of the great All Blacks leaders. Read has that with a close-knit family including wife Bridget, daughters Elle and Eden, and son Reuben.

Read grew up in the small town of Drury in the Counties Manukau area, attending Opaheke Primary School and Rosehill College. His sporting excellence at cricket and rugby attracted St Kentigern College to offer him a scholarship but after one year he came home to finish his schooling as Head Boy at Rosehill College.

Read was a top-class young cricketer with a natural skill and delight in scoring runs. He represented Northern Districts at age-group level and New Zealand at under-17 level.

But as he grew taller and stronger the national rugby selectors came calling.

He made New Zealand Schools and after a life-changing move to Christchurch he was selected for New Zealand Under-19, New Zealand Under-21 and the Junior All Blacks.

His Canterbury debut came in 2006 and two years later he was an All Black aged 23.

Now 121 test matches later, the unassuming but totally focused loose forward is the third most capped All Black in history behind Richie McCaw (148) and Keven Mealamu (132).

There is absolutely no doubt he is the ideal player to lead the All Blacks into

It is fair to say he represents what it means to be an All Black in the modern era – dominant and uncompromising on the field but modest and compassionate off it.

IERAN READ aims to captain the All Blacks K to Rugby World Cup glory in Japan.

Read will retire from international rugby after the Rugby World Cup and take up a one-year contract in Japan with Toyota Verblitz.

the pressure cauldron that will be the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

If he leads New Zealand to a third successive title, there can be no more deserving way to sign-off on a wonderful career.

Dealing with pressure is something Read has successfully taken head-on throughout his career.

KIERAN JAMES READ

He had one of the most daunting tasks assigned to him when he was appointed to follow the great McCaw as All Blacks captain.

AGE: 33

There have been some outstanding leaders of the men in black over history, with names like Wilson Whineray, Brian Lochore, Ian Kirkpatrick, Graham Mourie and Sean Fitzpatrick to the fore. McCaw stands beside any of them in terms of on-field leadership, team success and public profile.

SCHOOLING: Opaheke Primary School, Rosehill College

9

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

BORN: 26 October 1985 in Papakura, Auckland PHYSICAL: 1.93m, 111kg

ALL BLACKS NUMBER: 1083 ALL BLACKS DEBUT: November 8, 2008, v Scotland at Edinburgh TESTS PLAYED: 121

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019 VENUES Twelve venues across Japan will be hosting Rugby World Cup 2019 matches.

#1

KUMAMOTO STADIUM LOCATION: Kumamoto City CAPACITY: 30,228 COMPLETED: August 1998

#2

#3

FUKUOKA HAKATANOMORI STADIUM LOCATION: Fukuoka City CAPACITY: 21,562 COMPLETED: 1995

 

KOBE MISAKI STADIUM

LOCATION: Oita Prefecture CAPACITY: 40,000 COMPLETED: March 2001 POOL MATCH: Wednesday October 2 All Blacks v Canada

LOCATION: Kobe City CAPACITY: 30,132 COMPLETED: 2001

#12

12

Sapporo City

#12

LOCATION: Sapporo City CAPACITY: 41,410 COMPLETED: May 26, 2001

Kumagaya City

#4

Kobe City

Toyota City

10 8

Fukuoka City 2 1

KAMAISHI RECOVERY MEMORIAL STADIUM

KUMAGAYA RUGBY STADIUM LOCATION: Kumagaya City CAPACITY: 25,600 COMPLETED: 1991

4

6

9

#11

Kamaishi City

LOCATION: Higashi-Osaka City CAPACITY: 24,000 COMPLETED: 1929

Tokyo

5

#6

3

Shizuoka Prefecture

#1

HANAZONO RUGBY STADIUM

#9

7

#7

Yokohama City

#3

LOCATION: Kamaishi City CAPACITY: 16,334 COMPLETED: 2018

#10

11

#8

#2

#11

#5

#10

SAPPORO DOME

#4

OITA STADIUM

Oita Prefecture

Kumamoto City

#9

#5

HigashiOsaka City

#8

#6

SHIZUOKA STADIUM ECOPA LOCATION: Shizuoka Prefecture CAPACITY: 50,889 COMPLETED: March 2001

#7

TOKYO STADIUM

CITY OF TOYOTA STADIUM

INTERNATIONAL STADIUM

LOCATION: Tokyo CAPACITY: 49,970 COMPLETED: October 2000 POOL MATCH: Sunday October 6 All Blacks v Namibia

LOCATION: Toyota City CAPACITY: 45,000 COMPLETED: June 2001 POOL MATCH: Saturday October 12 All Blacks v Italy

LOCATION: Yokohama City CAPACITY: 72,327 COMPLETED: October 1997 POOL MATCH: Saturday September 21 All Blacks v South Africa

10

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RUGBY WORLD CUP FACTS AND FIGURES

The 2019 tournament in Japan is the ninth Rugby World Cup held and the first time it is being held in Asia. Here you will find some interesting statistics on the Rugby World Cup, compiled by Peter White.

MOST TACKLES MADE Richie McCaw (New Zealand) 225 Schalk Burger (South Africa) 209 Thierry Dusautoir (France) 188 Victor Matfield (South Africa) 136 Taulupe Faletau (Wales) 134 HIGHEST POINT SCORERS Jonny Wilkinson (England) 277 Gavin Hastings (Scotland) 227

RUGBY WORLD CUP WINNERS YEAR FINAL

BRONZE FINAL

Michael Lynagh (Australia) 195

1987 New Zealand (29) v France (9)

Wales (22) v Australia (21)

Daniel Carter (New Zealand) 191

1991 Australia (12) v England (6)

New Zealand (13) v Scotland (6)

Grant Fox (New Zealand) 170

1995 South Africa (15) v New Zealand (12)

France (19) v England (9)

Andrew Mehrtens (New Zealand) 163

1999 Australia (35) v France (12)

South Africa (22) v New Zealand (18)

2003 England (20) v Australia (17)

New Zealand (40) v France (13)

2007 South Africa (15) v England (6)

Argentina (34) v France (10)

2011 New Zealand (8) v France (7)

Australia (21) v Wales (18)

2015 New Zealand (34) v Australia (17)

South Africa (24) v Argentina (13)

RYAN HABANA holds the joint record of tries scored at B Rugby World Cups.

MOST TRIES SCORED Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) 15 Bryan Habana (South Africa) 15 Drew Mitchell (Australia) 14 Doug Howlett (New Zealand) 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia) 11

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BAK ER IE I IES S

MOST POINTS SCORED IN A MATCH Simon Culhane (New Zealand) 45 against Japan in 1995 Gavin Hastings (Scotland) 44 against Ivory Coast in 1995 Mat Rogers (Australia) 42 against Namibia in 2003 Tony Brown (New Zealand) 36 against Italy in 1999 Paul Grayson (England) 36 against Tonga in 1999 MOST TRIES IN A MATCH Marc Ellis (New Zealand) 6 against Japan in 1995 Chris Latham (Australia) 5 against Namibia in 2003 Josh Lewsey (England) 5 against Uruguay in 2003 John Gallagher (New Zealand) 4 against Fiji in 1987 Craig Green (New Zealand) 4 against Fiji in 1987 POINTS SCORED OVERALL

TRIES SCORED OVERALL

New Zealand 2,302

New Zealand 311

Australia 1,645

Australia 209

France 1,487

France 171

England 1,379

England 147

South Africa 1,250

South Africa 141

JONAH LOMU in action in the 1995 Rugby World Cup holds the joint record of tries scored at Rugby World Cups.

We’ve got all the biggest fans covered

ALL BLACKS PLAYER PROFILES The All Blacks squad to play in the 2019 Rugby World Cup was named on Wednesday, 28 August 2019. Profiles for the 31 players selected are featured below. All statistics were correct as at 28 August 2019. For more up-to-date information on the All Blacks, visit www.allblacks.com

KIERAN READ

#1083

Place of Birth: PAPAKURA, AUCKLAND Date of Birth: 26 OCTOBER 1985 Age: 33 Height: 1.93m Weight: 111kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: CANTERBURY, COUNTIES MANUKAU Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v SCOTLAND in EDINBURGH, 8 NOVEMBER 2008 All Black Tests: 121 All Black Test Points: 125

AARON SMITH

BACKS

CAPTAIN

NOTE: # DENOTES EACH PLAYER’S ALL BLACK NUMBER

RICHARD MO’UNGA

Place of Birth: NEW PLYMOUTH Date of Birth: 27 MAY 1991 Age: 28 Height: 1.87m Weight: 91kg Position: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH/FULLBACK Province: TARANAKI Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v IRELAND in HAMILTON, 23 JUNE 2012 All Black Tests: 77 All Black Test Points: 617

#1167

Place of Birth: CHRISTCHURCH Date of Birth: 25 MAY 1994 Age: 25 Height: 1.76m Weight: 83kg Position: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v FRANCE in DUNEDIN, 23 JUNE 2018 All Black Tests: 12 All Black Test Points: 78

JACK GOODHUE

#1124

Place of Birth: NELSON Date of Birth: 23 SEPTEMBER 1988 Age: 30 Height: 1.81m Weight: 91kg Position: SECOND FIVE-EIGHTH Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v AUSTRALIA in SYDNEY, 17 AUGUST 2013 All Black Tests: 44 All Black Test Points: 45

WE WANT YOU

#1140

Place of Birth: NAPIER Date of Birth: 17 JANUARY 1991 Age: 28 Height: 1.72m Weight: 75kg Position: HALFBACK Province: WAIKATO, HAWKE’S BAY Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v SAMOA in APIA, 8 JULY 2015 All Black Tests: 2 All Black Test Points: 0

#1115

RYAN CROTTY

#1132

Place of Birth: PORIRUA Date of Birth: 23 JANUARY 1992 Age: 27 Height: 1.84m Weight: 94kg Position: HALFBACK Province: WELLINGTON Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v ENGLAND in AUCKLAND, 7 JUNE 2014 All Black Tests: 58 All Black Test Points: 55

BRAD WEBER

#1112

Place of Birth: PALMERSTON NORTH Date of Birth: 21 NOVEMBER 1988 Age: 30 Height: 1.71m Weight: 84kg Position: HALFBACK Province: MANAWATU Super Rugby: HIGHLANDERS Test Debut: v IRELAND in AUCKLAND, 9 JUNE 2012 All Black Tests: 86 All Black Test Points: 87

BEAUDEN BARRETT

TJ PERENARA

#1165

Place of Birth: WHANGAREI Date of Birth: 13 JUNE 1995 Age: 24 Height: 1.87m Weight: 98kg Position: CENTRE Province: NORTHLAND Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v FRANCE in DUNEDIN, 23 JUNE 2018 All Black Tests: 9 All Black Test Points: 15

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WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

NZDF Defence Careers

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS

Place of Birth: CHRISTCHURCH Date of Birth: 15 APRIL 1995 Age: 24 Height: 1.85m Weight: 96kg Position: CENTRE Province: WAIKATO Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v AUSTRALIA in WELLINGTON, 27 AUGUST 2016 All Black Tests: 37 All Black Test Points: 35

Place of Birth: AUCKLAND Date of Birth: 3 AUGUST 1985 Age: 34 Height: 1.91m Weight: 108kg Position: SECOND FIVE-EIGHTH Province: COUNTIES MANUKAU, CANTERBURY Super Rugby: BLUES Test Debut: v ENGLAND in LONDON, 6 NOVEMBER 2010 All Black Tests: 53 All Black Test Points: 60

JORDIE BARRETT

GEORGE BRIDGE

#1159

Place of Birth: NEW PLYMOUTH Date of Birth: 17 FEBRUARY 1997 Age: 22 Height: 1.96m Weight: 96kg Position: OUTSIDE BACK Province: TARANAKI Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v SAMOA in AUCKLAND, 16 JUNE 2017 All Black Tests: 11 All Black Test Points: 42

SEVU REECE

RIEKO IOANE

#1182

Place of Birth: NADI, FIJI Date of Birth: 13 FEBRUARY 1997 Age: 22 Height: 1.79m Weight: 87kg Position: WING Province: WAIKATO Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v ARGENTINA in BUENOS AIRES, 20 JULY 2019 All Black Tests: 2 All Black Test Points: 5

Place of Birth: AUCKLAND Date of Birth: 18 MARCH 1997 Age: 22 Height: 1.89m Weight: 102kg Position: WING Province: AUCKLAND Super Rugby: BLUES Test Debut: v ITALY in ROME, 12 NOVEMBER 2016 All Black Tests: 26 All Black Test Points: 115

BEN SMITH

DANE COLES

#1100

Place of Birth: DUNEDIN Date of Birth: 1 JUNE 1986 Age: 33 Height: 1.86m Weight: 93kg Position: FULLBACK/WING Province: OTAGO Super Rugby: HIGHLANDERS Test Debut: v ITALY in MILAN, 14 NOVEMBER 2009 All Black Tests: 79 All Black Test Points: 165

CODIE TAYLOR

#1108

#1178

Place of Birth: GISBORNE Date of Birth: 1 APRIL 1995 Age: 24 Height: 1.86m Weight: 96kg Position: WING Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v JAPAN in TOKYO, 3 NOVEMBER 2018 All Black Tests: 4 All Black Test Points: 15

FORWARDS

BACKS continued

ANTON LIENERT-BROWN #1153

Place of Birth: LEVIN Date of Birth: 31 MARCH 1991 Age: 28 Height: 1.83m Weight: 106kg Position: HOOKER Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v ARGENTINA in CHRISTCHURCH, 17 JULY 2015 All Black Tests: 44 All Black Test Points: 45

Place of Birth: NEW PLYMOUTH Date of Birth: 25 JANUARY 1990 Age: 29 Height: 1.86m Weight: 107kg Position: HOOKER Province: OTAGO Super Rugby: HIGHLANDRS Test Debut: v ITALY in ROME, 12 NOVEMBER 2016 All Black Tests: 5 All Black Test Points: 0

NEPO LAULALA

ANGUS TA’AVAO

#1139

Place of Birth: MOTO’OTUA, SAMOA Date of Birth: 6 NOVEMBER 1991 Age: 27 Height: 1.84m Weight: 116kg Position: PROP Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v SAMOA in APIA, 8 JULY 2015 All Black Tests: 19 All Black Test Points: 0

#1117

Place of Birth: PARAPARAUMU Date of Birth: 10 DECEMBER 1986 Age: 32 Height: 1.84m Weight: 109kg Position: HOOKER Province: WELLINGTON Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v SCOTLAND in EDINBURGH, 11 NOVEMBER 2012 All Black Tests: 64 All Black Test Points: 55

LIAM COLTMAN

#1143

#1156

#1157

#1175

Place of Birth: AUCKLAND Date of Birth: 22 MARCH 1990 Age: 29 Height: 1.94m Weight: 128kg Position: PROP Province: TARANAKI Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v ARGENTINA in BUENOS AIRES, 29 SEPTEMBER 2018 All Black Tests: 7 All Black Test Points: 0

18

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

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FORWARDS continued

JOE MOODY

ATU MOLI

#1134

Place of Birth: GISBORNE Date of Birth: 12 JUNE 1995 Age: 24 Height: 1.89m Weight: 127kg Position: PROP Province: WAIKATO Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v ARGENTINA in BUENOS AIRES, 20 JULY 2019 All Black Tests: 2 All Black Test Points: 0

Place of Birth: CHRISTCHURCH Date of Birth: 18 SEPTEMBER 1988 Age: 30 Height: 1.88m Weight: 118kg Position: PROP Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v AUSTRALIA in SYDNEY, 16 AUGUST 2014 All Black Tests: 40 All Black Test Points: 15

OFA TU’UNGAFASI

#1168

SAM WHITELOCK

#1150

Place of Birth: NUKUALOFA, TONGA Date of Birth: 19 APRIL 1992 Age: 27 Height: 1.95m Weight: 115kg Position: PROP Province: AUCKLAND Super Rugby: BLUES Test Debut: v WALES in DUNEDIN, 25 JUNE 2016 All Black Tests: 29 All Black Test Points: 5

#1104

Place of Birth: PALMERSTON NORTH Date of Birth: 12 OCTOBER 1988 Age: 30 Height: 2.02m Weight: 115kg Position: LOCK Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v IRELAND in NEW PLYMOUTH, 12 JUNE 2010 All Black Tests: 111 All Black Test Points: 25

SCOTT BARRETT

BRODIE RETALLICK

#1155

Place of Birth: NEW PLYMOUTH Date of Birth: 20 NOVEMBER 1993 Age: 25 Height: 1.97m Weight: 112kg Position: LOCK Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v IRELAND in CHICAGO, 5 NOVEMBER 2016 All Black Tests: 30 All Black Test Points: 15

PATRICK TUIPULOTU

LUKE JACOBSON

#1133

Place of Birth: CHRISTCHURCH Date of Birth: 23 JANUARY 1993 Age: 26 Height: 1.98m Weight: 120kg Position: LOCK Province: AUCKLAND Super Rugby: BLUES Test Debut: v ENGLAND in DUNEDIN, 14 JUNE 2014 All Black Tests: 24 All Black Test Points: 15

SAM CANE

ARDIE SAVEA

Place of Birth: ROTORUA Date of Birth: 13 JANUARY 1992 Age: 27 Height: 1.89m Weight: 103kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: BAY OF PLENTY Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v IRELAND in CHRISTCHURCH, 16 JUNE 2012 All Black Tests: 63 All Black Test Points: 65

Place of Birth: WELLINGTON Date of Birth: 14 OCTOBER 1993 Age: 25 Height: 1.88m Weight: 100kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: WELLINGTON Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v WALES in AUCKLAND, 11 JUNE 2016 All Black Tests: 38 All Black Test Points: 35

#1123

Place of Birth: CHRISTCHURCH Date of Birth: 24 MARCH 1988 Age: 31 Height: 1.85m Weight: 104kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v FRANCE in NEW PLYMOUTH, 22 JUNE 2013 All Black Tests: 20 All Black Test Points: 5

#1183

Place of Birth: CAMBRIDGE Date of Birth: 20 APRIL 1997 Age: 22 Height: 1.91m Weight: 107kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: WAIKATO Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v ARGENTINA in BUENOS AIRES, 20 JULY 2019 All Black Tests: 1 All Black Test Points: 0

#1113

MATT TODD

#1110

Place of Birth: RANGIORA Date of Birth: 31 MAY 1991 Age: 28 Height: 2.04m Weight: 123kg Position: LOCK Province: HAWKE’S BAY Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v IRELAND in AUCKLAND, 9 JUNE 2012 All Black Tests: 77 All Black Test Points: 25

All Black Tests: 20 All Black Test Points: 5

20

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

#1147

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RUGBY WORLD CUP TEAM PREVIEWS

POOL A

IRELAND

POOL A

The best 20 teams will contest the Rugby World Cup at 12 venues in Japan. The All Blacks are the defending champions from 2015 but England and South Africa are also leading favourites. Who do you think will win? PETER WHITE gives a low-down on each team.

SCOTLAND

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: QUARTER-FINALIST COACH: JOE SCHMIDT CAPTAIN: RORY BEST WEBSITE: www.irishrugby.ie TAB ODDS: $9.00 The players must answer Ireland’s call to have a chance of winning the Rugby World Cup but it may also come down to the tactical smarts and motivation skills of Joe Schmidt.

The quietly spoken Kiwi is retiring as Ireland’s head coach following the tournament after five years in charge that have changed Ireland’s rugby fortunes for good. Under his watch, Ireland have claimed their two wins over the All Blacks, one Grand Slam, three Six Nations Championships and a Series win over the Wallabies in Australia in 2018.

But Ireland’s build-up to Japan 2019 has been anything but convincing. A disappointing Six Nations with losses to both England and Wales was compounded by a record 57–15 hiding at the hands of England in August.

The pressure on the team is intense ahead of Rugby World Cup. This is perhaps the most difficult period Schmidt has faced since he began his tenure as head coach. Ireland have a poor record on rugby’s biggest stage and have never made it past the quarter-finals. There have been plenty of close-run losses but nothing to celebrate with a rousing chorus of Fields of Athenry. Ireland share Pool A with Scotland, Japan, Russia and Samoa and should have no issue getting through to the quarters where South Africa or New Zealand will be waiting.

A key player will undoubtedly be first-five Johnny Sexton who has been under an injury cloud in the build-up to Japan.

The 34-year-old made his debut for Ireland in 2009 and at his best controls a game as well as any other first-five in world rugby. His ability to unleash Ireland’s strike power out wide will be vital to their chances of success.

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: QUARTER-FINALIST COACH: GREGOR TOWNSEND CAPTAIN: GREIG LAIDLAW WEBSITE: www.scottishrugby.org TAB ODDS: $41.00 The flower of Scotland could yet bloom in Japan with the Scots more than capable of beating any of the more favoured teams. Scotland are in Pool A with Ireland, Japan, Russia and Samoa and are odds-on to finish first or second to Ireland in their group. The prize will be a quarter-final showdown with either New Zealand or South Africa. Either scenario will not unduly concern the brave Scots whose rugby history is littered with giant killing results.

Four years ago Scotland were set to beat Australia at Twickenham only for referee Craig Joubert to incorrectly award the Wallabies a penalty that they converted for a 35−34 win. To their credit Scotland have clawed their way back from that heartache, although they remain an unknown quantity from match to match. Consistency has not been part of their arsenal. In November 2017 they gave the mighty All Blacks a real fright in Edinburgh before losing 22−17. Scotland put 50 points on Australia and enjoyed comprehensive victories over England, Wales and France twice at home but have been less convincing playing away.

Head coach Gregor Townsend has his players clearly enjoying what they are doing and producing a highly entertaining brand of rugby that has dramatically bolstered rugby’s profile in Scotland. A key player for the Scots is halfback and captain Greig Laidlaw. The 33-year-old has captained Scotland more than any other player and is equally adept at first-five. Laidlaw is an astute tactical reader of the game, accurate goalkicker and hugely important to Scotland’s chances of going further in Japan than they did four years ago.

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POOL A

JAPAN

POOL A

RUSSIA

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: JAMIE JOSEPH CAPTAIN: MICHAEL LEITCH WEBSITE: en.rugby-japan.jp/japan TAB ODDS: $151.00 When host nation Japan opens the 2019 Rugby World Cup in a Pool A clash with Russia at Tokyo Stadium it will be the start of unprecedented coverage of the sport in Japan.

Kiwi head coach Jamie Joseph was as tough as they come as a player and has instilled into the Brave Blossoms some of that attitude. He has the ideal on-field captain in Michael Leitch; the No 8 proved to be one of the best in the game during his 30 appearances for the Chiefs in Super Rugby.

In England four years ago Leitch captained Japan in an outstanding run of matches that saw them beat South Africa, Samoa and the USA but a lack of bonus points meant they did not make the quarter-finals.

The 34−32 victory over the Springboks ranks as the greatest of all Rugby World Cup upsets.

A player likely to be one of the standouts in the team is Tongan-born winger Ataata Moeakiola. The 23-year-old was a star for Japan at the 2016 World Rugby Under-20 Championship and had a fine debut season for the Chiefs this year.

In August, Japan warmed up for the Rugby World Cup by winning the Pacific Nations Cup for the first time. Captain Leitch lead the way scoring twice in the team’s 34−20 win over USA in the final. The victory in Suva was a timely confidence boost for his side and the third time Japan had won the highly competitive tournament.

Japan have played at all previous eight Rugby World Cups but have yet to get past the pool stage.

The chances are Ireland and Scotland will claim the two quarter-final places from Pool A with Japan a close third once again.

But it would be unwise to write off the Brave Blossoms at home.

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: N/A COACH: LYN JONES CAPTAIN: VASILY ARTEMYEV WEBSITE: www.rugby.ru TAB ODDS: $501.00 The Bears will compete at just their second Rugby World Cup after making their historic first appearance at the 2011 tournament held in New Zealand.

The closest Russia came to a win was in their opening match against USA in New Plymouth. They ran the Eagles close throughout before losing 13−6.

Much of the momentum gained from their inaugural appearance at Rugby World Cup was lessened by their failure to qualify for the 2015 tournament. The Bears should have made it through but let a nine-point aggregate lead slip against rivals Uruguay.

But they are back to have another crack at rugby’s biggest occasion in 2019 after qualifying as Europe 1 representatives.

Spain, Belgium and Romania were docked points for repeatedly using ineligible players during the qualifying competition.

Romania had finished top qualifier and both Spain and Belgium defeated Russia but it is the Bears who make the trip to Japan.

The man in charge as head coach is Lyn Jones, a former Welsh international who joined the Russian side in August last year.

He has no easy task. The Russian league contains just eight clubs spread across the vast country and the harsh winter forces play to stop for a large portion of the year.

Russia are in Pool A alongside Ireland, Scotland, Japan and Samoa with the games against the hosts and Samoa targeted as their best chance of claiming their first Rugby World Cup scalp.

One player set to shine is 25-year-old lock Tagir Gadzhiev who is a former MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter. He has played 21 tests for Russia since his debut in 2015 and will be a key source of lineout ball.

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POOL A

SAMOA

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: STEVE JACKSON CAPTAIN: CHRIS VUI WEBSITE: www.manusamoa.com TAB ODDS: $501.00 Manu Samoa were the darlings of the 1991, 1995 and 1999 tournaments when they made the quarter-finals and lit up each event with their scintillating back play and ferocious defence.

Pickings have been much slimmer since then with Samoa unable to get out of pool play at the last four Rugby World Cups. Finishing fourth in their pool in 2015 meant Samoa had to qualify for this year’s event, which they managed over Germany.

Samoa are grouped in Pool A with European heavyweights Ireland and Scotland, plus Japan and Russia.

Captain Chris Vui is a classy flanker while brothers Jordan and James Lay are strong scrummaging props who have played in the Mitre 10 Cup with Bay of Plenty.

Hooker Motu Matu’u is another with good experience. Openside flanker Jack Lam is one of the true leaders in the team and his dynamic style of play fits well with the aggressive TJ Ioane at No 8. Henry Stowers offers quality back-up.

Lock Kane Leaupepe is an outstanding ball-running second rower and was a standout performer for both Bay of Plenty and Wellington in recent Mitre 10 Cup seasons.

Halfback Dwayne Polataivao is a classy runner while there is plenty of fire-power out wide with the likes of centre Reynold Lee-Lo and wingers Belgium Tuatagaloa and Alapati Leiua.

Kiwi coach Steve Jackson would have been pleased with much of what his team did in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, as despite losing two games they proved to be highly competitive.

Samoa defeated Tonga 25−17 but lost to USA 13−10 and Fiji 10−3 in tight results.

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POOL B

NEW ZEALAND

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: CHAMPIONS COACH: STEVE HANSEN CAPTAIN: KIERAN READ WEBSITE: www.allblacks.com TAB ODDS: $2.25 The All Blacks begin their quest to win three consecutive Rugby World Cup titles (and fourth overall). They are paying the lowest odds at the TAB to bring the Webb Ellis Cup back home to New Zealand.

But losses to Ireland, South Africa and Australia in the last 12 months, and a onepoint victory over England that could easily have gone the other way, have meant this is no clear-cut tournament win.

The fitness of lock Brodie Retallick could hold the key. The 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year dislocated his shoulder against South Africa in July and has not played since.

Without him the All Blacks forwards are not the same unit and no tight forward has Retallick’s speed and remarkable skills with ball in hand.

The selectors have successfully utilised Ardie Savea at blindside flanker to create a new dynamic with openside flanker Sam Cane. Savea is used at No 8 when the All Blacks feed the scrum to make use of his raw, explosive power.

Richie Mo’unga’s great form at first-five has meant a shift to fullback for usual No 10 Beauden Barrett. The move has given the All Blacks a double playmaker option, more space for Barrett to display his extreme speed and eye for a gap, plus the extra goalkicking accuracy of Mo’unga.

First choice fullback/right winger Ben Smith and left winger Rieko Ioane seemed set in stone but less than impressive performances in the thumping by the Wallabies in Perth in August saw new talent in George Bridge and Sevu Reece preferred in the rematch a week later.

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POOL B

SOUTH AFRICA

POOL B

ITALY

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: SEMI-FINALISTS COACH: RASSIE ERASMUS CAPTAIN: SIYA KOLISI WEBSITE: www.springboks.rugby TAB ODDS: $5.50 Four years is a long time in rugby but for South African fans the two-point loss to the All Blacks in the semi-final played at Twickenham in 2015 still hurts.

The Springboks would have been favoured to beat Australia in the final and claim their third Webb Ellis Cup. But it was not to be and the South Africans arrive in Japan to contest the 2019 tournament with an even stronger side.

With a victory and two near misses over the All Blacks in the last 18 months and winning this year’s Rugby Championship, there is no doubt the Springboks have the fire-power and depth to deserve their billing as second favourite at the TAB. Coach Rassie Erasmus deserves credit for turning around the fortunes of the Springboks and restoring pride in the jersey.

Captain Siya Kolisi has recovered from a serious knee injury and will be a massive influence on and off the park.

Malcolm Marx has matured into one of the best hookers in world rugby with the ability to play as a fourth loose-forward, while No 8 Duane Vermeulen is another dynamic ball runner.

The new-found consistency and flair in the way South Africa is playing coincides with brilliant first-five Handre Pollard having a set run as the starting 10, over the mercurial Elton Jantjies. Pollard runs the ball to the line better than any other first-five in world rugby and is a reliable goalkicker and strong defender.

Powerhouse centre Jesse Kriel gives the team more midfield defensive might and will have a key role to fill at this Rugby World Cup.

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: CONOR O’SHEA CAPTAIN: SERGIO PARISSE WEBSITE: www.federugby.it/index.php TAB ODDS: $501.00 Italy have played at every Rugby World Cup but are yet to progress beyond the pool stage.

In Japan they will again be led by inspirational No 8 Sergio Parisse, who is set to supplant Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll (141 caps) in second place on the all-time rugby test caps list, behind New Zealander Richie McCaw (148 caps).

This will be Parisse’s fifth Rugby World Cup, joining Italy’s Mauro Bergamasco and Samoa’s Brian Lima as the only other players to reach this impressive landmark.

Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini and loose forward Alessandro Zanni will be at their fourth Rugby World Cups in a generally inexperienced Azzurri squad.

Locks Dave Sisi and Federico Ruzza are highly rated while Kiwi Jayden Hayward is likely to start at fullback. Benetton firstfive Tommaso Allan has plenty of ability and former Auckland lock Dean Budd is another in the mix to get game time in Japan.

The Azzurri are in Pool B alongside Namibia and Canada, plus favoured sides to qualify to the quarter-finals, New Zealand and South Africa. Victory over Namibia and Canada is a minimum expectation for Italy who are capable of giving the world’s best teams a challenge. But for so long an inability to consistently hold their discipline and keep to a game plan for 80 minutes has led to far too many defeats.

This year Italy again finished last in the Six Nations Championship after losing all five of their matches. The expectation that regular competitive rugby would improve Italy’s performances and win-loss ratio has not eventuated.

Rugby World Cup is the best stage of all to right those wrongs but recent form does not suggest Italy will be causing any upsets at this tournament.

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TVNZ 1 free-to-air match schedule COVERAGE STARTS

SEPTEMBER

Friday 20

Japan v Russia

9.30pm

LIVE

Saturday 21

New Zealand v South Africa

9.45pm

DELAYED BY 1 HOUR

Saturday 28

Argentina v Tonga

4.00pm

LIVE

Wednesday 2

New Zealand v Canada

11.30pm

DELAYED BY 1 HOUR

Friday 4

South Africa v Italy

10.15pm

LIVE

Sunday 6

New Zealand v Namibia

6.30pm

DELAYED BY 1 HOUR

Wednesday 9

Wales v Fiji

10.15pm

LIVE

Saturday 12

New Zealand v Italy

6.30pm

DELAYED BY 1 HOUR

Quarter-final: TBC

New Zealand’s quarter-final if they progress past the pool stage

Saturday 26

Semi-final 1

7.00pm

LIVE

Sunday 27

Semi-final 2

9.00pm

LIVE

Final

8.00pm

LIVE

OCTOBER

DELAYED BY 1 HOUR

NOVEMBER

Saturday 2

These matches will be broadcast free-to-air on TVNZ 1 only.

TVNZ won’t be streaming Rugby World Cup 2019™ live or on TVNZ OnDemand.

To watch all 48 matches live head to sparksport.co.nz

TM © Rugby World Cup Limited 2015.

POOL B

NAMIBIA

POOL B

CANADA

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: PHIL DAVIES CAPTAIN: JOHAN DEYSEL WEBSITE: www.namibianrugby.com TAB ODDS: $501.00 This will be Namibia’s sixth successive Rugby World Cup appearance but across those 19 games the Welwitschias are yet to enjoy their first victory at the tournament.

In England four years ago, Namibia picked up their first Rugby World Cup point in a narrow 17−16 defeat to Georgia.

There have been some good signs in 2019. In April at the World Rugby Nations Cup held in Uruguay they defeated the hosts for the first time but lost to Russia and Argentina XV. The win over Uruguay was a huge boost to morale. Namibia are 23rd in World Rugby rankings.

Since April, Namibia have had just two more games to prepare for Rugby World Cup – both against PRO14 side Southern Kings.

Namibia are in Pool B up against New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and Canada. Their firmly set goal is beating Canada so as to finally get that historic first Rugby World Cup win.

Namibia’s most capped player Eugene Jantjies will compete at his fourth Rugby World Cup. The 33-year-old halfback was a standout for his country four years ago in England and is renowned for his quick ruck clearance and running from the scrum base.

Darryl de la Harpe, Chrysander Botha, PJ van Lill and Rohan Kitshoff are other players in the squad to have experienced more than one Rugby World Cup. There is a strong Welsh influence in the coaching group with Dale McIntosh to link up with head coach Phil Davies in Japan.

McIntosh will act as defence coach, while fitness expert Wayne Proctor and performance analyst Sam Pickford are also from Wales.

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: KINGSLEY JONES CAPTAIN: TYLER ARDRON WEBSITE: www.rugby.ca/en TAB ODDS: $501.00 The Canucks qualified for their eighth appearance at a Rugby World Cup after winning the repechage tournament in Marseille last November to claim the final spot in Japan. They slot into Pool B with New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and Namibia.

Their best chance of a win comes in their game against Namibia.

Canada’s matches are spread over 17 days, the fewest in the tournament, along with South Africa and USA, which will stretch limited playing resources and crucial recovery time between matches.

Canada have had some tough rugby before their departure for Japan. They competed in last month’s Pacific Nations Cup against USA, Fiji and Tonga, and have had two extra games against Irish club Leinster in Ontario and USA. Inspiration will be close at hand in the form of popular figure Tyler Ardron, who will captain Canada. He proved himself to be an outstanding leader at the last Rugby World Cup and his follow-me attitude is just what his team needs.

The 28-year-old is equally adept at lock, blindside flanker and No 8. He has continued to improve every year as a hardworking, courageous player with Bay of Plenty in the Mitre 10 Cup and the Chiefs in Super Rugby.

Canada has a relatively new head coach in Kingsley Jones, former openside flanker and captain of Wales. He succeeded Mark Anscombe, father of New Zealand-born Welsh first-five Gareth.

Jones is a vastly experienced and highly regarded technical coach. He has coached in the English Premiership and European Championship, PRO12 and internationally with Russia during the 2011 and 2015 cycles.

Joining him is New Zealander Henry Paul, who made his name in rugby league before switching codes to be capped by England.

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POOL C

ENGLAND

POOL C

FRANCE

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: EDDIE JONES CAPTAIN: OWEN FARRELL WEBSITE: www.englandrugby.com/home TAB ODDS: $5.00 Hopes are rising among the expectant England fans that they could add the 2019 Rugby World Cup title to their previous success in 2003.

England have firmed as second-equal favourites with South Africa to win the Webb Ellis Cup and will begin their campaign in a positive state of mind after a strong build-up.

Four years ago at their home fortress of Twickenham their world cup tournament collapsed after losses to Wales and Australia meant they did not qualify for the knock-out stages.

After that disaster the new pairing of head coach Eddie Jones and captain Owen Farrell have transformed England’s attitude and fortunes. They are a much tougher team to beat now than in 2015.

England should have an easier ride out of pool play this time round competing with France, Argentina, USA and Tonga for two quarter-final places from Pool C. Farrell is at his second Rugby World Cup and is the lynchpin of what has become a seriously good backline unit. The former rugby league star is a tough defender, aggressive ball runner and superb goalkicker.

The 2019 edition of the tournament will be the third for Dan Cole, Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs. Cole and Youngs are the most capped in the squad with 86 test appearances for England.

One new face is former England Sevens star Ruaridh McConnochie who had a season playing club rugby in Bay of Plenty.

Lewis Ludlam, Jack Singleton and former Crusaders halfback Willi Heinz also make the squad after impressive debuts in the win over Wales in August. Heinz qualifies for England through his grandmother and is a controversial selection ahead of the well-performed Ben Spencer.

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: QUARTER-FINALIST COACH: JACQUES BRUNEL CAPTAIN: GUILHEM GUIRADO WEBSITE: www.ffr.fr TAB ODDS: $26.00 No New Zealand rugby fan would ever write off France at a Rugby World Cup, no matter how poor their build-up has been for Japan.

The memories of the All Blacks being knocked out of the 1999 and 2007 tournaments

by France are still vivid and the 2011 final won 8-7 could so easily have been a victory for France.

Les Bleus have contested three Rugby World Cup finals without lifting the Webb Ellis Cup. They finished their build-up to this year’s tournament last month with homeand-away matches against Scotland before facing Italy in Paris.

So what French team can we expect to turn up this time?

There is talent to burn in one of the youngest French sides in years with the potential to score tries against any defensive screen.

Coach Jacques Brunel has cast aside centre Mathieu Bastareaud and halfback Morgan Parra who have 125 test caps between them. Bastareaud has lost his place to Toulouse centre Sofiane Guitoune.

France will lean heavily on the experienced Guilhem Guirado, Yoann Huget, Wesley Fofana and Maxime Medard as key players. Others needing to step up are first-fives Romain Ntamack and Camille Lopez, with scrum-half Antoine Dupont able to also play at No 10.

Brunel will resign after the Rugby World Cup with current assistant coach Fabien Galthie stepping up to the top job.

How that affects what happens in Japan is anyone’s guess. France are drawn in Pool C with England, Argentina, USA and Tonga so will need to defeat Argentina to join England in the quarter-finals. That will be no easy task with Argentina enjoying 10 wins over Les Bleus in their last 16 encounters.

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POOL C

ARGENTINA

POOL C

USA

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: SEMI-FINALISTS COACH: MARIO LEDESMA CAPTAIN: PABLO MATERA WEBSITE: www.uar.com.ar TAB ODDS: $41.00 Los Pumas have been at every one of the previous eight Rugby World Cup tournaments and will be strong contenders again in 2019.

In 1999 and 2011 they made the quarter-finals. In 2015 they went to the next stage and made the semi-finals, where they were beaten by Australia. In the bronze medal play-off match Argentina lost to South Africa 24–13.

The highlight of the campaign came when Argentina produced one of their finest victories and knocked out Ireland in the quarter-finals, 43–20.

Overall Argentina have played 37 times at Rugby World Cups with 18 wins and 17 losses.

Certainly the introduction of the Jaguares team into the Super Rugby competition in 2016 has greatly improved the depth of players available for Argentina and lifted the consistency across the playing roster.

Earlier this year the Jaguares went all the way and played their first Super Rugby final, losing to the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Argentina’s growing international pedigree was evident in July this year, the All Blacks can consider themselves fortunate to beat Argentina 20–16 at the Velez Sarsfield Stadium.

The draw has not been kind to Argentina in Japan as they are in the toughest pool, alongside England, France, USA and Tonga.

However since 2002, Argentina have won 10 of the 16 tests played against France and will fancy their chances of knocking the French out of the competition.

Head coach Mario Ledesma is in charge of both the Jaguares and the national team. He is credited with encouraging a more expansive game plan in Argentina rugby. That extra flair may well pay dividends in Japan.

A key player is captain and flanker Pablo Matera who leads by example on the field.

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: GARY GOLD CAPTAIN: BLAINE SCULLY WEBSITE: www.usa.rugby TAB ODDS: $501.00 Pool C is regarded as the pool of death at Japan 2019. One of the world’s best teams will miss out qualifying for the quarter-finals with England, France and Argentina battling for two places.

There is high hope in the US Eagles camp that they can knock over one of the glamour teams. The Eagles have failed to qualify for only one Rugby World Cup since 1987 and have scored memorable wins at the 1987, 2003 and 2011 tournaments.

The Eagles will field a strong forward pack. Key players are props David Ainuu, Titi Lamositele and Paul Mullen who along with locks Nick Civetta and Greg Petersen will need to set a stable platform at scrum time.

A young star in the squad is halfback Ruben de Haas who plays for the Cheetahs in the PRO14. He first played for the USA Under-19 and Under-20 teams before making his full international debut for the Eagles last year.

Outside him is first-five AJ MacGinty, regarded as USA’s best and most consistent player. He is a fine goalkicker and loves to take the line on.

There is plenty of experience in the coaching team. South African Gary Gold is head coach and Ireland’s Greg McWilliams is his assistant. There is no doubt the new professional US-based Major League Rugby competition has given them a wider pool of talent to choose from, which is positive for USA rugby now and into the future.

The Eagles have enjoyed a solid preparation for Rugby World Cup including the Pacific Nations Cup, where they made it to the final before losing to Japan, and one-off matches against Canada, Samoa and Japan.

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POOL C

TONGA

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: TOUTAI KEFU CAPTAIN: SIALE PIUTAU WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/TongaRugbyOfficial TAB ODDS: $501.00 Tonga join England, France, Argentina and USA in the hardest group of all – Pool C. The Tongan team, known as the Ikale Tahi, are currently 15th in World Rugby’s rankings.

The team have never made it out of the pool stage at any of their previous seven Rugby World Cups tournaments, with a record of seven wins from 25 matches played.

They are unlikely to do so this time, but their opponents will know they have been in a game after taking on the ferocious Tongan tacklers.

Tonga have caused two of the biggest boil-overs in Rugby World Cup history. In 1999 at Leicester they defeated Italy 28–25 and in 2011 they produced an even bigger shock by rolling highly touted France 19–14 in Wellington.

Former Australian No 8 Toutai Kefu is head coach of the Tongan team. His team enjoyed an ideal build-up for Japan in the competitive Pacific Nations Cup followed by test matches in New Zealand against Fiji and the All Blacks.

Former All Blacks squad member Ben Tameifuna is crucial to Tonga’s set-piece plans. The 28-year-old is coming into his prime as a tighthead prop and, after making his mark with Hawke’s Bay and then the Chiefs, is now a seasoned pro plying his trade in France for Racing 92.

Bristol centre Siale Piutau always leads by example. Another key player is barnstorming No 8 Nasi Manu. The 30-yearold has made a courageous return to the international fold after missed the entire PRO14 season with Italian side Benetton Treviso while battling testicular cancer.

The vast majority of the Tongan players in action in Japan are from French and English rugby competitions.

We are With You, Taking on the World Steve Hansen Coach, New Zealand All Blacks Dear Steve, On behalf of ChildFund and all of New Zealand, we’re wishing you the best of luck for the Rugby World Cup—we’re extremely proud of you for taking on the world. We know how important it is for children to have positive role models, and you’re all heroes for the thousands of children here in New Zealand and across the world who will be following the games with excitement.

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Rural Timor-Leste, Laos and Vietnam may be a long way from the bright lights of the stadiums in Japan, but they are equally important fields where young kids can play out their dreams and, through rugby, realise their potential to thrive.

To the All Blacks team: we’re sending you some of our special ChildFund spirit for a fantastic tournament.

Best wishes, kia kaha!

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From the team at ChildFund New Zealand

POOL D

AUSTRALIA

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: RUNNERS-UP COACH: MICHAEL CHEIKA CAPTAIN: MICHAEL HOOPER WEBSITE: www.rugby.com.au TAB ODDS: $13.00 What Australian team will front up for the big games in Japan?

Will it be the superbly drilled, fast-paced and highly skilled team that ripped the All Blacks apart 47–26 in Perth on August 10 or the error-prone, inept version of the same side that meekly succumbed 36–0 in the rematch at Eden Park a week later?

Either scenario is likely given the Wallabies’ lack of consistency since they contested the 2015 Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks at Twickenham.

Major upheavals, including losing their best player Israel Folau, have not helped but despite the ups and downs, one thing has not changed – the Wallabies have the talent to win the Rugby World Cup. The first positive for the Aussies is being drawn in Pool D. They should qualify for the quarter-finals alongside Wales, with Georgia, Fiji and Uruguay to miss out.

Australia’s opening game is against Fiji, before their toughest pool match eight days later against Wales, which will indicate how the Wallabies are tracking.

Head coach Michael Cheika is a polarising figure but has kept the difficult job since 2014. He is capable of surprising with a new game plan, as the All Blacks found out in Perth.

Cheika has world-class talent in flankers Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Michael Hooper and David Pocock, midfielder Samu Kerevi and winger Reece Hodge but depth across the squad is limited.

Australian captains have held aloft the Webb Ellis Cup twice before – 1991 and 1999. They are seeded sixth to win in Japan and it would take a major rugby upset for them to add a third title to their list.

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POOL D

WALES

POOL D

GEORGIA

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: QUARTER-FINALISTS COACH: WARREN GATLAND CAPTAIN: ALUN WYN JONES WEBSITE: www.wru.wales TAB ODDS: $10.00 Wales went to number one in World Rugby’s rankings for the first time in August, briefly knocking the All Blacks off the top spot, until Ireland defeated them in Cardiff a week later.

Earlier this year under the coaching of Kiwi Warren Gatland, Wales won the Six Nations title for the first time since 2013. Wales defeated defending champions Ireland to claim their first Grand Slam since 2012 and a unique hat trick of individual Grand Slam titles for coach Gatland.

Rugby World Cup will be his swan song as Wales’ head coach as he is returning home to coach the Chiefs following the tournament. What better way to finish than by taking out the biggest rugby prize of all?

Wales have reached the semi-finals twice in 1987 and 2011.

They should not be troubled getting through to the quarter-finals out of Pool D, which includes Australia, Georgia, Fiji and Uruguay. Aside from Australia, the other pool games will give Gatland ample opportunity to find his best combinations and the luxury of being able to rest key players for the knock-out stage.

Gatland is a master at getting his players into the right frame-of-mind to win important games. He has proved it on countless occasions with Wales and there is no better example than when he guided the British and Irish Lions against the odds to a drawn series against the All Blacks in New Zealand in 2017.

Kiwi first-five Gareth Anscombe will miss the tournament after he injured his knee in the loss to England in August, which ended a national record of 14 consecutive wins.

But Gatland can call on the skills of British and Irish Lion Dan Biggar who has scored more than 700 points for Wales.

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: MILTON HAIG CAPTAIN: MERAB SHARIKADZ WEBSITE: site.rugby.ge/en/home TAB ODDS: $501.00 Kiwi Milton Haig has been Georgia’s head coach since 2012. The former Bay of Plenty halfback wants more games against tier-one nations and, in particular, a place in the Six Nations.

Georgia have won the Rugby Europe Championship for tier-two countries ten times in the last 12 years with just four losses from 59 games played.

Georgia may well be one of the bolters of the tournament. The Lelos are in Pool D alongside Australia, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay.

This is the fourth time Georgia have contested a Rugby World Cup. Their most successful campaign was four years ago in England. It started with a hard-fought 17–10 win over Tonga, before losses to Argentina and New Zealand but not before giving their top-ranked opponents a bruising game of rugby.

In the final pool match, Georgia defeated Namibia 17–16 in a thrilling match in front of a full house at Exeter.

Georgia have recruited well and gained the services of Graham Rowntree, former player and coach of both the British and Irish Lions, and England. He is in charge of the huge forward pack – who have surprised him at gym sessions with the colossal weights being lifted.

Georgia have traditionally been a one-dimensional team playing to the strengths of their huge forward pack. Since the positive outcomes of the last Rugby World Cup, Haig has been working hard on improving passing skills and tactical kicking.

Merab Kvirikashvili should turn out for Georgia at a record fifth Rugby World Cup. Regarded as the best player Georgia has produced, the 35-year-old first-five is his country’s record points scorer and first to play 100 tests.

41

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POOL D

FIJI

POOL D

URUGUAY

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: JOHN McKEE CAPTAIN: DOMINIKO WAQANIBUROTU WEBSITE: www.fijirugby.com TAB ODDS: $501.00 The Flying Fijians will bring their popular running rugby to Pool D against Australia, Wales, Georgia and Uruguay.

It will be no easy feat to get out of group play, with Australia and Wales heavily favoured to be the two teams to go through to the quarter-finals.

The travel and match schedule will not help Fiji either. They have just three days’ rest between playing Australia and Uruguay with a long trip from Sapporo to Kamaishi adding to the fatigue issue.

Kiwi coach John McKee will need to juggle his playing resources to cover both games. He is likely to decide Australia are beatable and field his best team against the Wallabies.

Fiji have made it to the quarter-finals stage at the 1987, 1999 and 2007 tournaments with an overall record of 10 wins and 18 losses from 28 matches played.

Fiji have shown what they are capable of with two big scalps in the last 12 months. Last November they scored their firstever victory over France with a 21–14 result in Paris that proved they can win important games away from home.

In July this year Fiji claimed their first win over the Māori All Blacks since 1957 with a 27–10 win in Suva. The Māori All Blacks regrouped to turn the tables on Fiji a week later in Rotorua with Fiji giving their extended squad valuable game-time.

Players likely to star for Fiji in Japan include former NRL star and Toulouse centre Semi Radradra, gifted first-five Ben Volavola, experienced locks Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Leone Nakarawa and loose forward Peceli Yato.

Captain Waqaniburotu, prop Campese Ma’afu, second-row Leone Nakarawa, fullback Kini Murimurivalu and Fiji’s all-time leading try-scorer in test rugby winger Vereniki Goneva are likely to compete at their third Rugby World Cup.

2015 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS COACH: JUAN MANUEL GAMINARA CAPTAIN: ESTEBAN MENESES WEBSITE: www.uru.org.uy TAB ODDS: $501.00 Uruguay begin the Rugby World Cup as the third-lowest ranked team and pretty much an unknown quantity to most rugby supporters.

South America’s second-best team after Argentina have been to three previous Rugby World Cups – 1999, 2003 and 2015 – and have two wins from 11 matches played.

Uruguay have just a three-day turnaround between their opening match against Fiji and their second match against the physical Georgia side. Things improve greatly after that with a week off between their matches against Australia and Wales.

In the four years since the tournament in England the team known as Los Teros have had some improved showings and will be no easy push-overs for their more illustrious pool opponents.

In that period, they have recorded wins over Canada, Namibia, Romania, Russia, Spain and USA which will increase their confidence levels ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup. In June this year Uruguay won the Rugby Nations Cup on home soil in Montevideo for the third year in a row competing against Russia, Argentina XV and Namibia.

The key factors contributing to the improvement has been the setting up of a national high performance centre, an increase in the number of tests played and more Uruguay players involved in professional leagues.

Nippy little halfback Santiago Arata is perhaps Uruguay’s most talented player.

Alongside him, Diego Magno, Juan Echeverria, Alejandro Nieto, Mateo Sanguinetti, Rodrigo Silva and Andrés Vilaseca all play in the American Major League Rugby (MLR) competition.

42

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RWC 2019 MATCH SCHEDULE

All match times are in New Zealand local time and were correct at time of going to press. Note that Daylight Saving Time begins on September 29. For up-to-date information on the Rugby World Cup 2019, visit www.rugbyworldcup.com All 48 Rugby World Cup games will be screened live on Spark Sport [sparksport.co.nz] plus TVNZ 1 will screen 12 games WATCH LIVE WATCH DELAYED BY and five delayed games as denoted with in – seven games live as highlighted with ON TVNZ 1 ONE HOUR ON TVNZ 1 the Rugby World Cup draw below. TVNZ 1 will also be showing delayed coverage of the quarter-final game (either QF2 or QF4) featuring the All Blacks if the team progresses past pool play.

POOL A

POOL B

IRELAND SCOTLAND JAPAN RUSSIA SAMOA

NEW ZEALAND SOUTH AFRICA ITALY NAMIBIA CANADA

FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 10:45PM

POOL A

JAPAN V RUSSIA

WATCH LIVE ON TVNZ 1

JAPAN SCORE RUSSIA SCORE

Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

POOL D

AUSTRALIA SCORE

AUSTRALIA V FIJI

FIJI SCORE

Sapporo Dome, Sapporo City

7:15PM

POOL C

ARGENTINA SCORE

Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

POOL B

WATCH DELAYED BY 1 HOUR ON TVNZ 1

NEW ZEALAND V SOUTH AFRICA SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

POOL B

ITALY V NAMIBIA

NEW ZEALAND SCORE SOUTH AFRICA SCORE

POOL A

IRELAND V SCOTLAND POOL C

ENGLAND V TONGA

ITALY SCORE NAMIBIA SCORE

MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

POOL D

WALES V GEORGIA

IRELAND SCORE SCOTLAND SCORE

URUGUAY SCORE

TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

POOL A

RUSSIA V SAMOA

Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya City

THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 7:45PM

POOL B

ITALY SCORE

ITALY V CANADA

CANADA SCORE

10:45PM

POOL C

ENGLAND SCORE

ENGLAND V USA

USA SCORE

SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 4:45PM

POOL C

WATCH LIVE ON TVNZ 1

ARGENTINA SCORE TONGA SCORE

7:15PM

POOL A

JAPAN V IRELAND

JAPAN SCORE IRELAND SCORE

9:45PM

POOL B

SOUTH AFRICA V NAMIBIA

SOUTH AFRICA SCORE NAMIBIA SCORE

City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota City ENGLAND SCORE TONGA SCORE

SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 6:15PM

POOL D

GEORGIA V URUGUAY

GEORGIA SCORE URUGUAY SCORE

Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya City WALES SCORE GEORGIA SCORE

8:45PM

POOL D

AUSTRALIA V WALES

AUSTRALIA SCORE WALES SCORE

Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota City

10:15PM

FIJI SCORE

Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka Prefecture

Sapporo Dome, Sapporo City

10:15PM

POOL D

FIJI V URUGUAY

Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashi-Osaka City

International Stadium, Yokohama City

10:15PM

5:15PM

ARGENTINA V TONGA

Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashi-Osaka City

7:45PM

WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe City

International Stadium, Yokohama City

5:15PM

AUSTRALIA WALES GEORGIA FIJI URUGUAY

Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka City FRANCE SCORE

FRANCE V ARGENTINA 9:45PM

POOL D

ENGLAND FRANCE ARGENTINA USA TONGA

Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi City

SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 4:45PM

POOL C

RUSSIA SCORE SAMOA SCORE

MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 11:15PM

POOL A

SCOTLAND V SAMOA Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe City

ADVERTISER BANNER DPS ADVERTISEMENT LHS 35mm D x 410mm W

SCOTLAND SCORE SAMOA SCORE

WEDNESDAY 2 OCTOBER 8:45PM

POOL C

FRANCE SCORE

FRANCE V USA

SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 5:45PM

POOL B

WATCH DELAYED BY 1 HOUR ON TVNZ 1

NEW ZEALAND V CANADA 6:15PM

9:15PM

NEW ZEALAND SCORE

FIJI SCORE

Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashi-Osaka City

11:15PM

POOL A

IRELAND SCORE

IRELAND V RUSSIA POOL B

WATCH LIVE ON TVNZ 1

SOUTH AFRICA V ITALY 6:15PM

4:15PM

POOL C

POOL A

JAPAN V SAMOA

9:15PM

11:45PM

WATCH DELAYED BY 1 HOUR ON TVNZ 1

POOL C

POOL D

ARGENTINA SCORE

TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER

POOL A

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER QUARTER-FINAL 1

8:15PM

SAMOA SCORE

Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture

NEW ZEALAND SCORE NAMIBIA SCORE

WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER POOL C

TONGA SCORE

QUARTER-FINAL 2

SCORE

SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER QUARTER-FINAL 3

SCORE

WINNER POOL D V RUNNER-UP POOL C Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture 11:15PM

QUARTER-FINAL 4

SCORE

WINNER POOL A V RUNNER-UP POOL B CANADA SCORE

SEMI-FINALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER

WATCH LIVE ON TVNZ 1

ARGENTINA SCORE

ARGENTINA V USA

USA SCORE

SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER

Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya City

POOL A

SCORE

WATCH LIVE ON TVNZ 1

SCORE

SCOTLAND SCORE

SCOTLAND V RUSSIA

RUSSIA SCORE

Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka Prefecture WATCH LIVE ON TVNZ 1

WALES SCORE FIJI SCORE

Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture

11:15PM

SCORE

Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo 8:15PM

Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe City

FRIDAY 11 OCTOBER

SCOTLAND SCORE

WINNER POOL C V RUNNER-UP POOL D 11:15PM

SOUTH AFRICA SCORE

SOUTH AFRICA V CANADA

POOL D

JAPAN SCORE

Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

POOL B

WALES V FIJI

URUGUAY SCORE

QUARTER-FINALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

JAPAN SCORE

Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto City

10:45PM

WALES SCORE

International Stadium, Yokohama City

FRANCE SCORE

FRANCE V TONGA

8:15PM

TONGA SCORE

JAPAN V SCOTLAND

URUGUAY SCORE

Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

5:45PM

USA SCORE

WINNER POOL B V RUNNER-UP POOL A

NEW ZEALAND V NAMIBIA

11:15PM

POOL C

WALES V URUGUAY

City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota City

8:45PM

CANADA SCORE

Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashi-Osaka City

ITALY SCORE

Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

POOL B

NAMIBIA SCORE

USA V TONGA

SOUTH AFRICA SCORE

ENGLAND SCORE

ENGLAND V ARGENTINA

5:45PM

POOL B

Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi City

Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture

SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER

SAMOA SCORE

NAMIBIA V CANADA

RUSSIA SCORE

AUSTRALIA SCORE

AUSTRALIA V URUGUAY

11:30PM

IRELAND SCORE

Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto City

POOL D

9:00PM

POOL A

SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER

Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka Prefecture

SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER

FRANCE SCORE

Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka City

6:45PM

10:45PM

ENGLAND SCORE

IRELAND V SAMOA

Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe City

FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER

ITALY SCORE

International Stadium, Yokohama City

GEORGIA SCORE

GEORGIA V FIJI

POOL C

ENGLAND V FRANCE

CANADA SCORE

11:45PM

POOL D

NEW ZEALAND SCORE

City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota City

Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture

THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER

WATCH DELAYED BY 1 HOUR ON TVNZ 1

NEW ZEALAND V ITALY

USA SCORE

Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka City

11:15PM

POOL B

POOL D

AUSTRALIA V GEORGIA

Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka Prefecture

FINALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER 10:00PM

BRONZE PLAY-OFF

SCORE

LOSER SEMI-FINAL 1 V LOSER SEMI-FINAL 2 Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

AUSTRALIA SCORE GEORGIA SCORE

SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 10:00PM

RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL

WATCH LIVE ON TVNZ 1

WINNER SEMI-FINAL 1 V WINNER SEMI-FINAL 2 International Stadium, Yokohama City

ADVERTISER BANNER DPS ADVERTISEMENT RHS 35mm D x 410mm W

SCORE

RUGBY WORLD CUP QUIZ 1. B efore the first Rugby World Cup in 1987, who were the reigning international champions because they won the gold medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics rugby tournament?

2. The World Cup winners are awarded the Webb Ellis Cup. Who was William Webb Ellis?

3. Which Rugby World Cup held no qualifying tournament?

4. Which country has won the most Rugby World Cups?

5. Who are the only nations to host and win a tournament?

6. What are the most points scored by a team at a Rugby World Cup match? Name the teams playing in that game and which year it occurred.

7. What is the widest winning margin in a Rugby World Cup game?

8. Which two players have made a record 22 appearances at Rugby World Cup tournaments?

9. Who played at both the Cricket and Rugby World Cup tournaments in 2003?

10. Who scored the opening try at both the 1987 and 1991 Rugby World Cup tournaments?

11. Name the two stadiums that have twice hosted the Rugby World Cup final.

12. Only one non-Southern Hemisphere country has won the Rugby World Cup. Name the country and year they won.

13. Which England player married Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne, in 2011?

14. Who is the highest points scorer in Rugby World Cup history?

15. Who is the oldest player to play in a Rugby World Cup final?

16. Who is the youngest player to play in a Rugby World Cup final?

17. Name the only team to get two red cards in one match at a Rugby World Cup?

ANSWERS: 1. USA. 2. He was the Rugby School pupil who is said to have invented the game. 3. The first Rugby World Cup in 1987. 4. New Zealand (1987, 2011, 2015) has won the Rugby World Cup three times. 5. New Zealand (1987, 2011) and South Africa (1995). 6. New Zealand beat Japan 145–17 in 1995. 7. 142 by Australia against Namibia in 2003. 8. England’s Jason Leonard and New Zealand’s Richie McCaw. 9. Namibian Rudie van Vuuren. 10. New Zealander Michael Jones. 11. Eden Park in Auckland (1987, 2011) and Twickenham in London (1991, 2015). 12. England in 2003. 13. Mike Tindall. 14. Jonny Wilkinson (England) with 277 points. 15. Brad Thorn (New Zealand) aged 36 in 2011.

16. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) aged 20 in 1995. 17. Canada in its match against South Africa in 1995.

EDEN PARK, 2011.

MICHAEL JONES.

JONNY WILKINSON.

BRAD THORN.

TWICKENHAM STADIUM.

46

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