Pool A
Canada - Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board (IRB) as a tier two rugby nation, of which there are seven, the others being Fiji, Japan, Romania, Samoa, Tonga and the USA. Canada competes in competitions such as the Churchill Cup and the Rugby World Cup, and the sheer size of the country means that talent is scattered across a vast area, making the job of coaches and selectors very difficult. The climate is also unfavourable for playing rugby union for much of the year in most parts of the country.
Canada has been playing international rugby since the early 1930s, making their debut in 1932 against Japan. They have competed at every World Cup since the tournament was first staged in 1987, and are the only North American team to do so. They have had, in the modern era, some excellent results. They famously beat Wales 26-24 on November 10, 1993 at Cardiff Arms Park; and beat France 18-16 on June 4, 1994 at Twin Elms Rugby Park in Nepean, Ontario. They also battled to a 27-27 draw against Ireland on June 27, 2000 at Markham, Ontario; and chalked up a 26-23 win against Scotland in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 15, 2002. The win over Scotland was the start of a streak of seven victories before losing to Wales (in Cardiff.)
Like all second and third tier nations the Canadians have had problems having players available for important games. As a consequence Canada has slipped out of the top 10 rugby union nations, but has never-the-less provided top class players such as Dan Baugh, Rod Snow, Mike James, Colin Yukes, Dave Lougheed and Jamie Cudmore to teams in England, Wales and France.
Canada achieved their best result at the World Cup in 1991, where they reached the quarter-finals. They are the dominant power of North American rugby and considered second only to Argentina in the Americas. Canada is currently ranked fourteenth by the IRB, and beat the United States in a two-legged playoff game in July 2009 to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. They will enter the tournament as Americas 1.
Coach:Kieran Crowley
Key Player:
Justin Mensah-Coker - This Canadian winger, originally from Sierra Leone, is a powerful runner, and has massive size and weight complement his pace.
Canada has been playing international rugby since the early 1930s, making their debut in 1932 against Japan. They have competed at every World Cup since the tournament was first staged in 1987, and are the only North American team to do so. They have had, in the modern era, some excellent results. They famously beat Wales 26-24 on November 10, 1993 at Cardiff Arms Park; and beat France 18-16 on June 4, 1994 at Twin Elms Rugby Park in Nepean, Ontario. They also battled to a 27-27 draw against Ireland on June 27, 2000 at Markham, Ontario; and chalked up a 26-23 win against Scotland in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 15, 2002. The win over Scotland was the start of a streak of seven victories before losing to Wales (in Cardiff.)
Like all second and third tier nations the Canadians have had problems having players available for important games. As a consequence Canada has slipped out of the top 10 rugby union nations, but has never-the-less provided top class players such as Dan Baugh, Rod Snow, Mike James, Colin Yukes, Dave Lougheed and Jamie Cudmore to teams in England, Wales and France.
Canada achieved their best result at the World Cup in 1991, where they reached the quarter-finals. They are the dominant power of North American rugby and considered second only to Argentina in the Americas. Canada is currently ranked fourteenth by the IRB, and beat the United States in a two-legged playoff game in July 2009 to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. They will enter the tournament as Americas 1.
Coach:Kieran Crowley
Key Player:
Justin Mensah-Coker - This Canadian winger, originally from Sierra Leone, is a powerful runner, and has massive size and weight complement his pace.
France - After another disappointing World Cup in 2007, that time on home soil, the French have had a resurgence of Northern Hemisphere form of late, counterbalanced with some heavy defeats in the Southern Hemisphere. Since the inaugural World Cup in 1987, France have qualified for the knock-out stage of every tournament. They have reached the final twice, losing to the All Blacks in 1987 and to Australia in 1999. France hosted the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where, as in 2003, they were beaten in the semi finals by England.
Traditionally, France is and has always been one of the strongest rugby nations in Europe, and are currently the highest ranked Northern Hemisphere team, being fourth in the world as of 19 July 2010. Despite this, they suffered at the hands of the Springboks in South Africa in 2010, losing two Tests and displaying nothing of the running flair that won them the Grand Slam Six Nations title earlier in the year, as well as losing to the All Blacks in 2009, and Australia in 2008 and 2009, confirming the gulf of quality between the two hemispheres.
They undoubtedly have some amazing players, with captain and flanker Thierry Dusautoir, flyhalf David Skrela, winger Vincent Clerc and fullback Clément Poitrenaud a real danger when on form. But they lacked cohesion and vision in their most recent foray southwards, and will look to rectify the situation in 2011.
Traditionally, France is and has always been one of the strongest rugby nations in Europe, and are currently the highest ranked Northern Hemisphere team, being fourth in the world as of 19 July 2010. Despite this, they suffered at the hands of the Springboks in South Africa in 2010, losing two Tests and displaying nothing of the running flair that won them the Grand Slam Six Nations title earlier in the year, as well as losing to the All Blacks in 2009, and Australia in 2008 and 2009, confirming the gulf of quality between the two hemispheres.
They undoubtedly have some amazing players, with captain and flanker Thierry Dusautoir, flyhalf David Skrela, winger Vincent Clerc and fullback Clément Poitrenaud a real danger when on form. But they lacked cohesion and vision in their most recent foray southwards, and will look to rectify the situation in 2011.
Coach: Marc Lièvremont
Key Player:
David Skrela
The wiry flyhalf has great tactical kicking skills, and will be a key factor in the French strategy in 2011 as he looks to exploit space behind opposition defence.
Aurélien Rougerie
Immense pace, and vast experience make winger Rougerie a danger to all opponents – his 57 caps and 110 points for France make him a key figure.
Key Player:
David Skrela
The wiry flyhalf has great tactical kicking skills, and will be a key factor in the French strategy in 2011 as he looks to exploit space behind opposition defence.
Aurélien Rougerie
Immense pace, and vast experience make winger Rougerie a danger to all opponents – his 57 caps and 110 points for France make him a key figure.
Japan (often known as "The Cherry Blossoms" or more recently Brave Blossoms) are traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia but has both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years. They compete annually in the Pacific Nations Cup and the Asian Five Nations. They have also participated in every Rugby World Cup since the tournament began in 1987. However they have only ever won one game at the tournament, against Zimbabwe in 1991.
Rugby was introduced to Japan in 1899 and Japan's first international was a match against a Canadian team in 1932. Notable games for Japan include a victory over the Junior All Blacks in 1968, and a narrow 6-3 loss to England in 1971. Japan's most famous victory so far is a 28-24 victory over Scotland in 1989. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Japan drew 12-12 against Canada, their second best result in the tournament.
Under ex-All Black John Kirwan , who declared his intention from the outset to pursue a Japanese brand of rugby which expresses the "Samurai Spirit", Japan beat Hong Kong 52-3 and Korea 54-0 in November 2006 to secure its place in Pool B with ease at the RWC 2007. On April 9, 2007 the national team was featured at their first training camp since Kirwan's appointment in the NHK national news, a sign of the growing expectation and interest in his team. He said in front of the camera: "We want to be the world's fittest team". He added that he wanted Japan to play to its strengths which he said were speed and agility, and to play rugby that "big men don't like."
In the first game under Kirwan against Korea on April 22, 2007 the Cherry Blossoms won easily, 82-0 and seven new players were introduced. James Arlidge scored two tries of the fourteen, and converted ten out of ten. However in their performance at the 2007 Rugby World Cup they failed to win a match: a second-string team lost 91-3 to Australia, although they did draw 12-12 against Canada and lose by just 4 points (31-35) to eventual quarter finalists Fiji. They also lost 74-18 Wales in Cardiff, but in the process scored a spectacular length-of-the-field try through Kosuke Endo that many regarded as the best in the tournament. They came fourth in their pool ahead of Canada and behind Wales, thanks to the bonus point earned against Fiji.
In the 2008 HSBC Asian Five Nations Japan won all four of its games to become the first Asian Five Nations champions on May 18, 2008. They will look to continue building their brand of rugby and secure their first win in World Cup competition in 2011.
Captain: Takashi Kikutani
Key Players:
James Arlidge
Born in New Zealand, Japan's flyhalf/fullback Arlidge is a prodigious placekicker and try scorer, and was the top scorer in the 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup.
Rugby was introduced to Japan in 1899 and Japan's first international was a match against a Canadian team in 1932. Notable games for Japan include a victory over the Junior All Blacks in 1968, and a narrow 6-3 loss to England in 1971. Japan's most famous victory so far is a 28-24 victory over Scotland in 1989. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Japan drew 12-12 against Canada, their second best result in the tournament.
Under ex-All Black John Kirwan , who declared his intention from the outset to pursue a Japanese brand of rugby which expresses the "Samurai Spirit", Japan beat Hong Kong 52-3 and Korea 54-0 in November 2006 to secure its place in Pool B with ease at the RWC 2007. On April 9, 2007 the national team was featured at their first training camp since Kirwan's appointment in the NHK national news, a sign of the growing expectation and interest in his team. He said in front of the camera: "We want to be the world's fittest team". He added that he wanted Japan to play to its strengths which he said were speed and agility, and to play rugby that "big men don't like."
In the first game under Kirwan against Korea on April 22, 2007 the Cherry Blossoms won easily, 82-0 and seven new players were introduced. James Arlidge scored two tries of the fourteen, and converted ten out of ten. However in their performance at the 2007 Rugby World Cup they failed to win a match: a second-string team lost 91-3 to Australia, although they did draw 12-12 against Canada and lose by just 4 points (31-35) to eventual quarter finalists Fiji. They also lost 74-18 Wales in Cardiff, but in the process scored a spectacular length-of-the-field try through Kosuke Endo that many regarded as the best in the tournament. They came fourth in their pool ahead of Canada and behind Wales, thanks to the bonus point earned against Fiji.
In the 2008 HSBC Asian Five Nations Japan won all four of its games to become the first Asian Five Nations champions on May 18, 2008. They will look to continue building their brand of rugby and secure their first win in World Cup competition in 2011.
Captain: Takashi Kikutani
Key Players:
James Arlidge
Born in New Zealand, Japan's flyhalf/fullback Arlidge is a prodigious placekicker and try scorer, and was the top scorer in the 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup.
New Zealand - The legendary All Blacks, with their wardance Haka, and invincible players, continue to strike fear into the hearts of all opponents. Current Tri Nations champions, and number 1 ranked team in the world, they will look to lay the ghosts of the past 5 World Cups to rest, especially seeing as they're playing on home soil for the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1987.
Their statistics are impressive – they are the leading points scorers of all time and the only international rugby team with a winning record against every test nation they have ever played. They have the highest win ratio of 75 percent and rank as the number one team in the world for the most period of time in IRB World Rankings. Only 5 of the top 20 ranked rugby union test nations have ever beaten New Zealand in over 100 years of international competition.
Not only are they the current Tri Nations title holders, but they also hold the Bledisloe Cup which they contest annually with Australia, the Freedom Cup annually contested with South Africa and have three times completed a Grand Slam (in 1978, 2005 and 2008) defeating all four Home Nations during one tour.
They were named the International Rugby Board (IRB) Team of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2008. Fifteen former All Blacks have been inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame, one into the IRB Hall of Fame.
But the one thorn that remains painfully in their side is their form at World Cups. It's not that they can't reach the semi-finals or finals, and at very least put themselves in contention to win – it's that they cannot seem to come good on the day in crunch matches. Beaten by newcomers South Africa in 1995, ousted by France in 1999 in the semis, Australia in 2003 in the semis and finally France again in 2007 at the quarter-final stage, the All Blacks are developing somewhat of a reputation for being the “Best side in the world between World Cups”.
But this may change in 2011, on home soil and with an impetus that hasn't been felt for a few years.
Coach: Former headmaster Graham Henry first made an impression as a coach with Auckland, where he won the NPC four times between 1992 and 1997. He then coached the Blues to Super 12 titles in 1996 and 1997 and made the final again the following year. He made his international coaching debut in 1998 with Wales, where he stayed for four years. His major achievements in that role included wins over England and South Africa. In 2001, he became the first non-British or Irishman to coach the Lions on their tour of Australia.
Key player:
Richie McCaw
There has, in the modern game, probably not yet been a better scavenger for a loose ball than All Black skipper Richie McCaw. He is like a jackal, and no ruck is safe if he is lurking around.
Dan Carter
The man with the mechanical boot has struggled for form in 2010, but is undoubtedly one of the best number 10s New Zealand has ever produced, and it won't be long before he's back to slotting kicks like clockwork.
Josevata Rokocoko
A devastating attacking and defensive winger, Joe Rokocoko is a world-class try scorer and has run circles around every Test nation on earth.
Their statistics are impressive – they are the leading points scorers of all time and the only international rugby team with a winning record against every test nation they have ever played. They have the highest win ratio of 75 percent and rank as the number one team in the world for the most period of time in IRB World Rankings. Only 5 of the top 20 ranked rugby union test nations have ever beaten New Zealand in over 100 years of international competition.
Not only are they the current Tri Nations title holders, but they also hold the Bledisloe Cup which they contest annually with Australia, the Freedom Cup annually contested with South Africa and have three times completed a Grand Slam (in 1978, 2005 and 2008) defeating all four Home Nations during one tour.
They were named the International Rugby Board (IRB) Team of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2008. Fifteen former All Blacks have been inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame, one into the IRB Hall of Fame.
But the one thorn that remains painfully in their side is their form at World Cups. It's not that they can't reach the semi-finals or finals, and at very least put themselves in contention to win – it's that they cannot seem to come good on the day in crunch matches. Beaten by newcomers South Africa in 1995, ousted by France in 1999 in the semis, Australia in 2003 in the semis and finally France again in 2007 at the quarter-final stage, the All Blacks are developing somewhat of a reputation for being the “Best side in the world between World Cups”.
But this may change in 2011, on home soil and with an impetus that hasn't been felt for a few years.
Coach: Former headmaster Graham Henry first made an impression as a coach with Auckland, where he won the NPC four times between 1992 and 1997. He then coached the Blues to Super 12 titles in 1996 and 1997 and made the final again the following year. He made his international coaching debut in 1998 with Wales, where he stayed for four years. His major achievements in that role included wins over England and South Africa. In 2001, he became the first non-British or Irishman to coach the Lions on their tour of Australia.
Key player:
Richie McCaw
There has, in the modern game, probably not yet been a better scavenger for a loose ball than All Black skipper Richie McCaw. He is like a jackal, and no ruck is safe if he is lurking around.
Dan Carter
The man with the mechanical boot has struggled for form in 2010, but is undoubtedly one of the best number 10s New Zealand has ever produced, and it won't be long before he's back to slotting kicks like clockwork.
Josevata Rokocoko
A devastating attacking and defensive winger, Joe Rokocoko is a world-class try scorer and has run circles around every Test nation on earth.
Tonga - Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance - the Kailao (aka the Sipi Tau). And like their Polynesian neighbours, these islanders are as tough as nails, and ready to make the sort of tackles that break bones.
Tonga were drawn to play Wales again in the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The previous meeting, plus the decision to rest some of the leading players, led to a poor Welsh performance though they managed to win 29-16. Tonga lost its other two games to Ireland (32-9) and Canada (37-4).
They failed to qualify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup. In 1994 they won the South Pacific championship on try count and so qualified for the Super 10, they finished bottom of their pool with only one point.
They qualified for the 1995 World Cup ahead of Fiji on points difference. Tonga managed only two victories in the next two World Cups, against the 29-11 Ivory Coast in 1995 and Italy in 1999. The win over the Ivory Coast brought tragedy when Ivory Coast winger Max Brito was left prone on the turf and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since.
June 1999 brought their greatest home victory, a 20-16 defeat of France in Nuku?alofa over a touring France but in 2000 they were humiliated 102-0 (including 15 tries) by New Zealand.
After losing their first four matches to Fiji and Samoa, Tonga finished third in the Oceania qualifying group. As a result they had to play home and away matches against Papua New Guinea, which they won 47-14 and 84-12, followed by a play-off against South Korea, who finished as runners-up in the Asian section. Tonga thrashed them 75-0 and 119-0.
At the 2003 Rugby World Cup Tonga lost all their games and finished bottom of their pool. Despite keeping Wales to 20-27, they were again thrashed by New Zealand 91-7.
In 2007 Tonga participated in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, winning 2 of their pool matches and nearly defeating the eventual champions, South Africa, in one of the most memorable and exciting games of the tournament, eventually going down 30-25. However, Tonga finished 3rd in their pool and failed to advance to the Quarter Finals when they lost to England in another hard-fought match
Coach: Isitolo Maka
Key Player:
Samiu Vahafolau
Tongan skipper and eighthman Vahafolau is a powerful ball carrier, a great rucker and is noted for scoring tries at his club side Biarritz.
Tonga were drawn to play Wales again in the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The previous meeting, plus the decision to rest some of the leading players, led to a poor Welsh performance though they managed to win 29-16. Tonga lost its other two games to Ireland (32-9) and Canada (37-4).
They failed to qualify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup. In 1994 they won the South Pacific championship on try count and so qualified for the Super 10, they finished bottom of their pool with only one point.
They qualified for the 1995 World Cup ahead of Fiji on points difference. Tonga managed only two victories in the next two World Cups, against the 29-11 Ivory Coast in 1995 and Italy in 1999. The win over the Ivory Coast brought tragedy when Ivory Coast winger Max Brito was left prone on the turf and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since.
June 1999 brought their greatest home victory, a 20-16 defeat of France in Nuku?alofa over a touring France but in 2000 they were humiliated 102-0 (including 15 tries) by New Zealand.
After losing their first four matches to Fiji and Samoa, Tonga finished third in the Oceania qualifying group. As a result they had to play home and away matches against Papua New Guinea, which they won 47-14 and 84-12, followed by a play-off against South Korea, who finished as runners-up in the Asian section. Tonga thrashed them 75-0 and 119-0.
At the 2003 Rugby World Cup Tonga lost all their games and finished bottom of their pool. Despite keeping Wales to 20-27, they were again thrashed by New Zealand 91-7.
In 2007 Tonga participated in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, winning 2 of their pool matches and nearly defeating the eventual champions, South Africa, in one of the most memorable and exciting games of the tournament, eventually going down 30-25. However, Tonga finished 3rd in their pool and failed to advance to the Quarter Finals when they lost to England in another hard-fought match
Coach: Isitolo Maka
Key Player:
Samiu Vahafolau
Tongan skipper and eighthman Vahafolau is a powerful ball carrier, a great rucker and is noted for scoring tries at his club side Biarritz.
No comments:
Post a Comment