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All Blacks to start World Cup defence against old nemesis

By Peter Thompson

02 Nov 2017

Richie McCaw lifts the Webb Ellis Cup

New Zealand will start their quest to win a third consecutive Rugby World Cup with a mouth-watering clash against South Africa in Yokohama.

The All Blacks beat the Springboks at the semi-final stage of the 2015 World Cup in England before going on to defeat Australia in the final.

Steve Hansen’s men begin the defence of their title against their fellow-Pool B heavyweights at the International Stadium on September 21 in the 2019 tournament.

Hosts Japan get the World Cup started a day earlier at Tokyo Stadium versus a European qualifier in Pool A.

England face Tonga at Sapporo Dome on September 22, a day after 2015 runners-up the Wallabies take on Fiji at the same venue.

Ireland against Scotland in Pool A in Yokohama is another standout fixture in the first round of matches.

The full match schedule for #RWC2019 🏆🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/LUIACEmObT
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 2, 2017

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Comments on RugbyPass

AA 1 hour ago

Will Bristol's daredevil 'Bears-ball' deliver the trophy they crave?

The prem games this season have mainly been great to watch , with the exception of Sale. So boring and predictable.

Let's have more of Bristol, Bath , Quins etc style of play.

Rugby needs expansive play to put more bums on seats . Not the dirge of rolling forward mauls constantly trying to bully their way over the line.

It has its place yes to draw the defence but the fans want to see more running rugby . Not win at any cost and sod the entertainment .

3 Go to comments

fl 2 hours ago

What is the future of rugby in 2025?

So Borthwick should drop Marcus Smith? He's the odd one out, forcing the rest of the English backline into a gameplay they don't know. Replacing him with Fin or Ford makes everyone more likely to succeed.

47 Go to comments

fl 2 hours ago

What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Why aren't you complaining that JVP and Spencer weren't given a fair shot because they were paired with Marcus? One or both of them should be given a run of games alongside a flyhalf that is on their wavelength.

47 Go to comments

RedWarrior 2 hours ago

Jack Nowell: 'You can’t fault what I’m doing at the moment'

Ile De Re is some spot. Plenty of coastal paths for jogs, and internal paths through vinyards. O'Gara in La Flotte too. That's why I dont see O'Gara moving any time soon. They have a life there

1 Go to comments

NB 7 hours ago

What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Yes no point in continually penalizing say, a prop for having inadequate technique. A penalty is not the sanction for that in any other aspect of the game!

If you keep the defending 9 behind the hindmost foot and monitor binds strictly on the defending forwards, ample attacking opportunities should be presented. Only penalize dangerous play like deliberate collapses.

47 Go to comments

NB 7 hours ago

What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Partly true but all players have their preferences and a diff background of experience. Give players more of what they know and it makes them more likely to succeed!

47 Go to comments

NB 7 hours ago

What is the future of rugby in 2025?

He could have started by giving him Randall from the start of games in November F. Spencer and JVP are both good players but not on the saem wavelength as a Porter or Danny Care!

47 Go to comments

YeowNotEven 8 hours ago

Springboks dominate in 2024 despite ill-discipline

9 years and no win? Damn. That’s some mighty poor biasing right there.

15 Go to comments

Icefarrow 9 hours ago

Every country in the world where you can be paid to play rugby

Semi-professional. A mixture of amateurs and paid players. It's basically NPC for the lower-tier unions.

6 Go to comments

NE 9 hours ago

Springboks dominate in 2024 despite ill-discipline

SA has consistently been protected by WR/IRB officials for the past 3 decades. This same protection and bias was also clearly evident in SR when they competed there and SA were never the top SA rugby nation. They went 9 years without winning it before fleeing.

15 Go to comments

NE 9 hours ago

Springboks dominate in 2024 despite ill-discipline

Yet more confirmation that you know nothing about the game. Thanks, appreciated.

15 Go to comments

BB 13 hours ago

Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Absolutely spot on Marc!

54 Go to comments

GP 13 hours ago

Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

You and I are never going to agree. He was brilliant in the Final. You just do not like him because he is/was a Crusader.

38 Go to comments

JW 15 hours ago

What is the future of rugby in 2025?

I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation.

Keep? Do you have any idea what league is like? That is what rugby has turned into, not where it's trying to go. The universal body type of mass, the game needs to stop heading towards the physically gifted and go back to its roots of how it's played. Much like how SA are trying to add to their game by taking advantage of new laws.

Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby.

That's what's happening, but as Nick suggests the slow tempo team can still too easyily dictate how the fast tempo team can play.