The 1999 Rugby World Cupbcrugbynews.com/documents/rugby_worldcup_colour_aug15... · 2019-05-10 ·...

The 1999 Rugby World Cupin Review
Compiled by MC Bryant

From material on the following Internet sites:www.sporting-life.comwww.planet-rugby.com

Preface

I originally produced this document for my own use but as the project began to take shape it became apparent to me that this document would be appreciated by other rugby fans. I made the decision to make the Adobe Acrobat .pdf file available to other rugby fans.

In the past it may have taken months to produce a document with all this information but nowadays, in the zenith of the information age, it takes a matter of hours. Albeit, a considerable amount of hours. All the information you see in here is taken from the Internet and compiled into a readable format with an extensive index. The time consuming part is searching for the information, reformatting the text, generating the index, and trying to give a consistent look to the document.

It is interesting to ponder the idea that people around the world, whether at school, the office, or at home, may be sending this document to their printer and keeping it as a reminder of that wonderful competition in October of 1999.

Like throwing a stone in the pond and watching the ripples, I would like to hear how this document has had an impact. You can reach me by email at:

[email protected]

Yours in rugby,

MC Bryant

Mark

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Table of Contents

Tournament Overview 9

Results at a Glance10

Referees 11

Coaches 15

Team Profiles 16ARGENTINA 16AUSTRALIA 18CANADA 20ENGLAND 22FIJI 24FRANCE 25IRELAND 27ITALY 29JAPAN 31NAMIBIA 33NEW ZEALAND 35ROMANIA 37SAMOA 39SCOTLAND 41

Great Events of the Twentieth Centuryv

The 1999 Rugby World Cup in Review v

Table of Contents

SOUTH AFRICA 43SPAIN 45TONGA 46URUGUAY 48USA 50WALES 52

Match Reports 54Wales 23 - Argentina 1854Fiji 67 - Namibia 18 56Spain 15 - Uruguay 2757Canada 20 - France 3358England 67 - Italy 7 60Ireland 53 - USA 8 61Samoa 43 - Japan 963New Zealand 45 - Tonga 965Scotland 29 - South Africa 4667Australia 57 - Romania 9 69Scotland 43 -Uruguay 1271France 47 - Namibia 13 73England 16 - New Zealand 3075USA 25 - Romania 2777Wales 64 - Japan 1578Fiji 38 - Canada 22 80South Africa 47 - Spain 382Argentina 32 - Samoa 1684Italy 25 - Tonga 28 86Ireland 3 - Australia 23 87Canada 72 - Namibia 1188Australia 55 - USA 19 89New Zealand 101 - Italy 391Wales 31 - Samoa 3893England 101 - Tonga 1095South Africa 39 - Uruguay 397Ireland 44 - Romania 1499France 28 - Fiji 19 101Scotland 48 - Spain 0103Argentina 33 - Japan 12105Argentina 28 - Ireland 24 107England 45 - Fiji 24 108Scotland 35 - Samoa 20109Wales 9 - Australia 24 110

vi Great Events of the Twentieth Century

vi The 1999 Rugby World Cup in Review

Table of Contents

Argentina 26 - France 47112Scotland 18 - New Zealand 30114England 21 - South Africa 44116Australia 27 - South Africa 21118France 43 - New Zealand 31120New Zealand 18 - South Africa 22122Australia 35 - France 12 124

Photo Gallery 125Thomas Castaignede runs from John Hutchinson 125Samoan centre Brian Lima on his way to score a try 126All Blacks 'Haka' vs. Tongan 'Ikale Tahi' 127England centre Phil de Glanville goes over for the score 128Ireland hooker Keith Wood touches down against the USA 129Fijian centre Viliame Satala gets a lift from Emile N'tamack 130Samoan fullback Silao Leaega touches down against Wales 131Lomu and Dallaglio come to blows 132Martin Leslie tries to repel All Black surge 133Ripol is tackled by Panizza 134Burke adds to his points total 135Fabien Pelous takes on Namibia 136Tournaire is attacked by Pichot 137Springboks celebrate after win over England 138Elwood breaks free against Romania 139Matt Pini clears danger for Italy 140Tim Horan - player of the tournament 141John Eales receives trophy from the Queen 142

Betting Odds 143

Previous World Cup Records144

Final Pool Standings 146

1999 RWC Statistics 148

Index 151

Great Events of the Twentieth Centuryvii

The 1999 Rugby World Cup in Review vii

Table of Contents

viii Great Events of the Twentieth Century

viii The 1999 Rugby World Cup in Review

Tournament Overview

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Tournament Overview

There were several interesting stories from the '99 World Cup. New Zealand wexpected to walk away with Webb Ellis trophy. They had just won the Tri-Natioand were looking unbeatable. No one could have guessed that France would huge upset. France had won the wooden spoon in the previous 5 nations tournament and were looking very ordinary. They were already planning victoparades in New Zealand, anticipating an easy walk through France in the semithen either Australia or South Africa in the final. Needless to say there was hudisappointment in the land of the long white cloud.

Wales became the first host nation not to make the finals. They looked impresgoing into the World Cup tournament, previously defeating reigning championSouth Africa at the new Millennium Stadium. They were shocked by Samoa inpool matches and defeated by Australia in the quarter finals.

Ireland didn't even make the quarter finals being dispatched by a spirited Argeian team. Their fly half, Quesada, went on to become the leading scorer in thenament by virtue of his accurate boot.

Who were the tournament winners? Australia, obviously, for winning the tournament. They were impenetrable in defence and focused on attack, makivery few errors. France, for exceeding expectations and playing one magnificgame against the All Blacks. Argentina, for making the quarter finals for the fitime in their history. Fiji, for finishing second in their pool and just narrowly missing a victory over France in the pool matches. Tim Horan, the official playof the tournament. Jonah Lomu, for living up to his reputation as the most excplayer with the ball in hand.

What were the disappointments? The New Zealand team for falling short of extations and media hype. The Welsh team for falling short of their pre tournamform and failing to stay in the tournament until the end. The Scottish venues wwere virtually empty during many of the pool matches. The refereeing in the pmatches which was inconsistent and stifling.

The following pages document the 20 teams and the 41 matches played durin‘99 World Cup. We’ll see you in Australia in 2003.

The 1999 Rugby World Cup in Review 9

10

Results at a Glance

Date Teams Result VenueSat 6 Nov Australia vs France 35 - 12 Cardiff-Millennium StadiumThu 4 Nov New Zealand vs South Africa 18 - 22 Cardiff-Millennium StadiumSun 31 Oct France vs. New Zealand 43 - 31 TwickenhamSat 30 Oct Australia vs South Africa 27 - 21 TwickenhamSun 24 Oct England vs South Africa 21 - 44 Stade de France,ParisSun 24 Oct Scotland vs New Zealand 18 - 30 MurrayfieldSun 24 Oct Argentina vs France 26 - 47 Dublin-Lansdowne RdSat 23 Oct Wales vs Australia 9 - 24 Cardiff-Millennium StadiumWed 20 Oct Scotland vs Samoa 35 - 20 MurrayfieldWed 20 Oct England vs Fiji 45 - 17 TwickenhamWed 20 Oct Argentina vs Ireland 28 - 24 LensSat 16 Oct Argentina vs Japan 33 - 12 Cardiff-Millennium StadiumSat 16 Oct Scotland vs Spain 48 - 0 MurrayfieldSat 16 Oct France vs Fiji 28 - 19 ToulouseFri 15 Oct Ireland vs Romania 44 - 14 Dublin-Lansdowne RdFri 15 Oct South Africa vs Uruguay 39 - 3 Glasgow-Hampden PkFri 15 Oct England vs Tonga 101 - 10 TwickenhamThu 14 Oct Wales vs Samoa 31 - 38 Cardiff-Millennium StadiumThu 14 Oct New Zealand vs Italy 101 - 3 HuddersfieldThu 14 Oct Australia vs USA 55 - 19 LimerickThu 14 Oct Canada vs Namibia 72 - 11 ToulouseSun 10 Oct Ireland vs Australia 3 - 23 Dublin-Lansdowne RdSun 10 Oct Italy vs Tonga 25 - 28 LeicesterSun 10 Oct Argentina vs Samoa 32 - 16 LlanelliSun 10 Oct South Africa vs Spain 47 - 3 MurrayfieldSat 09 Oct Fiji vs Canada 38 - 22 BordeauxSat 09 Oct Wales vs Japan 64 - 15 Cardiff-Millennium StadiumSat 09 Oct USA vs Romania 25 - 27 Dublin-Lansdowne RdSat 09 Oct England vs New Zealand 16 - 30 TwickenhamFri 08 Oct France vs Namibia 47 - 13 BordeauxFri 08 Oct Scotland vs Uruguay 43 - 12 MurrayfieldSun 03 Oct Australia vs Romania 57 - 9 Belfast-RavenhillSun 03 Oct New Zealand vs Tonga 45 - 9 Bristol-Ashton GateSun 03 Oct Scotland vs South Africa 29 - 46 MurrayfieldSun 03 Oct Samoa vs Japan 43 - 9 WrexhamSat 02 Oct France vs Canada 33 - 20 BeziersSat 02 Oct Ireland vs USA 53 - 8 Dublin-Lansdowne RdSat 02 Oct Spain vs Uruguay 15 - 27 GalashielsSat 02 Oct England vs Italy 67 - 7 TwickenhamFri 01 Oct Fiji vs Namibia 67 - 18 BeziersFri 01 Oct Wales vs Argentina 23 - 18 Cardiff-Millennium Stadium

The 1999 Rugby World Cup in Review

Referees

Referees

Derek Bevan

Nationality: Wales

Occupation: Electrical Training Officer

Started refereeing:1973.

First International: 1985 England v Romania

Previous World Cup matches: 8

[NZ v Fiji, Fr v Z 1987; Fr v Fiji, Sc v WS, E v A 1991; SA v A,

NZ v Sc, SA v Fr 1995]

Brian Campsall

Nationality: England

Occupation: Referee

Started refereeing: 1983

First International: 1996 Ireland v Scotland


Andrew Cole

Nationality: Australia

Occupation: Referee/Dentist


First International: 1997 Samoa v Tonga


Stuart Dickinson


Occupation: Referee


First International: 1997 Papua New Guinea v Tahiti



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Joel Dume

Nationality:France

Occupation: Director of Administration.


First International: 1993 Wales v England


[WS v It 1995]

Wayne Erickson


Occupation: Referee.


First International: 1994 Argentina v Scotland


[NZ v Ir, Fr v Sc 1995]

Jim Fleming

Nationality: Scotland

Occupation: Quantity Surveyor


First International: 1985 England v Ireland


[A v Jp, Fiji v Arg 1987; E v NZ, Arg v WS, I v A, NZ v A 1991; E

v Arg, SA v WS 1995]

Colin Hawke

Nationality: New Zealand

Occupation: Referee


First International: 1990 Ireland v Argentina


[C v R 1995]


Referees

Paul Honiss


Occupation: Referee


First International: 1997 Tahiti v Cook Islands


Peter Marshall


Occupation: Referee


First International: 1993 France v New Zealand


David McHugh

Nationality: Ireland

Occupation: Referee

Started refereeing:1985

First International: 1994 Romania v Wales


[SA v C 1995]

Ed Morrison


Occupation: Referee


First International: 1991 France v Scotland


[S v Jp, A v WS 1991; NZ v W, F v I, SA v NZ 1995]


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Paddy O'Brien


Occupation: Referee


First International: 1995 Wales v Fiji


Clayton Thomas

Nationality: Wales

Occupation: School Teacher


First International: 1995 Scotland v Canada


[Arg v It, 1995]

Andre Watson

Nationality: South Africa

Occupation: Referee


First International: 1996 Australia v Canada


Chris White


Occupation: Referee


First International: 1998 Georgia v Russia



Coaches

Coaches

Argentina - Alex Wyllie

Australia - Rod Macqueen

Canada - Pat Parfrey

England - Clive Woodward

Fiji - Brad Johnstone

France Jean Claude Skrela

Ireland - Warren Gatland

Italy - Massimo Mascioletti

Japan - Seiji Hirao

Namibia - Rudy Joubert

New Zealand - John Hart

Romania - John Phillips

Samoa - Bryan Williams

Scotland - Jim Telfer

South Africa - Nick Mallett

Spain - Alfonso Feijo

Tonga - Polutele Tu’ihalamaka

Uruguay - Daniel Herrera

USA - Jack Clark

Wales - Graham Henry


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Team Profiles

ARGENTINA

World Cup record Best: group stages Played: 9 Won: 1 Lost: 8

Coach: Alex Wyllie/Jose Luis Imhoff

Squad

Backs: I Corleto, M Contepomi, J Fernandez Miranda, G Camardon, F Conte-pomi, O Bartolucci, D Albanese, E Simone, J Orengo, L Arbizu (Capt.), JL CillG Quesada, N Fernandez Miranda, A Pichot.

Forwards: R Grau, M Reggiardo, F Diaz Alberdi, M Scelzo, O Hasan, M LedesA Canalda, I Fernandez Lobbe, R Norberto Perez, P Sporleder, A Allub, L Ostiglia, S Phelan, M Ruiz, R Martin, G Longa Elia.

Profile

For a country with such a rich rugby union tradition Argentina’s World Cup recohas been poor.

They have qualified for all three tournaments so far but that’s as far as it has gthe last time they had a World Cup win was against Italy in 1987.

This time under the watchful eye of coach Jose Luis Imhoff and the guiding lighformer All Black coach Alex Wylie they intend to make amends.

The politics of professionalism affected Argentinian Rugby quite badly prior to last World Cup causing them to lose some of their best players.

The Argentine authorities strictly refused to admit professionals into their gamand sanctioned players with a three year ban and ineligibility to play for their homeland if caught playing abroad.

In response 12 of their best players moved away and two have since become lars in the national sides of opposing powers.

Ernesto Noriega is now playing for Australia while Diego Dominguez playing fItaly, is the world record points scorer.


Team Profiles

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Wylie injected a more realistic view of international rugby and Federico Mendeand Lisandro Arbizu, who both play outside Argentina, are now cornerstones onational side.

They have a kicker in Gonzalo Quesada who aims to be the next Hugo Porta man mountain at second row, their 6ft 6in 20 stone skipper Pedro Sporleder.

Argentina have always been at their strongest at home, winning some memormatches - Scotland got done twice in 1994,the 1990 England side went down 1and five years earlier the world beating All Blacks were held to a 21-21 draw.

In contrast they can be poor on their travels which is why the World Cup has always been an uphill struggle.

However, the bold facts do not tell the entire story of their performance last tim

They were better than England but missed seven penalty attempts to lose andalso beaten by Samoa in the last ten minutes having seemingly had it in the b

Whatever the opposition they face, Argentina's pack gives them a chance. Thegenuine World Cup dark horses.


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AUSTRALIA

World Cup record Best: Winners 1991 Played: 16 Won: 12 Lost: 4

Coach: Rod Macqueen

Squad

Backs: Matt Burke, George Gregan, Nathan Grey, Daniel Herbert, Tim Horan, Kafer, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Jason Little, Joe Roff, Ben Tune, ChWhitaker, Scott Staniforth.

Forwards: Andrews Blades, Dan Crowley, Matt Cockbain, Mark Connors, JohnEales (capt), Michael Foley, Owen Finegan, David Giffin, Richard Harry, Phil Kearns, Toutai Kefu, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Tom Bowman, Tiaan StraDavid Wilson, Jim Williams.

Profile

They come from the land of Neighbours and Crocodile Dundee - but unlike thodreadful productions there is nothing third-rate about the Australian Rugby tea

The 1999 Wallabies are coming to a rugby field near you and are certain to prea huge obstacle to any nation with dreams of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy.

Fiercely committed, hugely talented and with an attitude to losing that makes JMcEnroe look like Mary Poppins on a good day, Rod Macqueen’s team are jusably one of the favourites for World Cup glory.

Having watched their cricket cousins triumph on these shores in July, the Wallawill be desperate to make it a green and gold double and serve the perfect spaperitif ahead of next year’s Sydney Olympics.

And knowing their predecessors triumphed on British shores in 1991, these Atralians will be hugely confident of repeating a smash and grab raid for the sectime around.

Led by the magnificent second row forward John Eales, the Wallabies possesteam of outstanding quality.

A truly world class back line featuring the outstanding Matthew Burke at full baand veteran centres Tim Horan and Jason Little, is complemented by a streetwpack who can mix it with the worlds best.


Team Profiles

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Throw in the combative half-back pairing of George Gregan and Stephen Larkand you can see why many pundits think it will be a case of advance Australiacome the final in Cardiff.

But despite their undoubted talent and iron will to win, the Wallabies have dis-played a worrying inconsistency this year, looking unbeatable one match and downright average the next.

They humbled South Africa at the beginning of the tri-nations series, only to bhumiliated two weeks later by a rampant All Blacks in Dunendin.

England too gave the Wallabies a real fright in the first match played at the SydOlympic stadium, and may have even embarrassed the hosts were it not for typoor finishing.

But when the Aussie machine does get it right then they are a force to be reckwith. And there is a feeling in rugby circles that after their 28-7 Bledisoe Cup thrashing of New Zealand in August, Australia may be peaking at just the righmoment.

Whether the Wallabies get their hands on the game’s most coveted prize for arecord second time remains to be seen.

Much will depend on whether the golden three of Burke, Eales and Larkham afiring on all cylinders after much publicised injury problems.

But for rugby fans who like to see free-flowing moves and audacious back playmessage is simple - waltz the matilda with the boys from down under.


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CANADA

World Cup record Best: Quarter-finalists 1991 Played: 10 Won: 4 Lost: 6

Coach: Pat Parfrey

Squad:

Forwards: Duane Major, Brian McCarthy, Dave Penney, Rod Snow, Richard BJon Thiel, Pat Dunkley, Mark Cardinal, Mike James, Chris Whittaker, John TaitCharron (Vice-Capt), Dan Baugh, John Hutchinson, Rob Robson, Mike SchmiRyan Banks

Backs: Morgan Williams, John Graf, Julian Loveday, Gareth Rees (Capt), BobRoss, Kyle Nichols, Scott Bryan, David Lougheed, Winston Stanley, Courtney Smith, Jeremy Cordle, Joe Pagano, Scott Stewart.

Profile:

The World Cup is the vehicle which put Canada on the map and they haven’t looked back since.

They came from nowhere before the 1987 competition to emerge ranked 12th aftbeating Tonga at the group stage.

In 1991 they had improved enormously and entered the competition with a reachance having completed a four-match winning-streak over Argentina, ScotlanJapan and the USA.

They beat Fiji and Romania before losing to France in a real battle, leaving thfaced with New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Again they presented a genuine threat before bowing out of the tournament lo29-13 to the All Blacks, but leaving them ranked as high as 8th in the world.

Four years later brought memories they would be less proud of – a brawl withSouth Africa saw the dismissal of three players, two Canadian, at the end of adefeat to the eventual winners.

But they beat Romania before the group of death killed them with Australia and thSpringboks proving too good.

One player remembers all this, the only man to have played in every World Cuthis year’s Canadian captain and stand off Gareth Rees.


Team Profiles

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The Canucks as they are known have not had an ideal build up this summer btheir squad does not lack talent or experience.

Rees will line up with Liecester Tiger’s wing Dave Lougheed, veteran of two World Cups, and Mark Cardinal, the 38-year-old hooker who would also have appeared in all three competitions had it not been for work commitments in 19

Canada’s Group C opponents this time round are France, Fiji and Namibia sohopes they have of emulating their feat of 1991 may not be misplaced.


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ENGLAND

World Cup record Best: Finalists 1991 Played: 16 Won: 10 Lost: 6

Coach: Clive Woodward

Squad

Backs: Matt Perry, Nick Beal, Austin Healey, Dan Luger, Leon Lloyd, Jeremy Gcott, Will Greenwood, Phil de Glanville, Mike Catt, Jonny Wilkinson, Paul Grayson, Martyn Wood, Matt Dawson.

Forwards: Jason Leonard, Darren Garforth, Phil Vickery, Victor Ubogu, RicharCockerill, Phil Greening, Neil McCarthy, Martin Johnson (capt), Tim Rodber, Danny Grewcock, Garath Archer, Richard Hill, Neil Back, Joe Worsley, LawrenDallaglio, Martin Corry.

Profile

With side issues resolved and a majority of the squad fit and injury free many ple believe England could be peaking at the right time.

England came closest to winning the tournament when they were beaten 12-6 1991 final by Australia at Twickenham.

And although they paid The Wallabies back in the 1995 quarter-final, New Zeaput an end to the dream in the semi-final that year.

Moments of history for England in the World Cup would include Rob Andrew’sthe death 40-yard drop goal to steal the win over the Aussies in ‘95.

And in the next match Jonah Lomu’s introduction to Tony Underwood - one ofgreat all time mismatches.

England coach Clive Woodward was forced into a change of skipper when revtions earlier this year forced Lawrence Dallaglio to resign the captaincy.

But Woodward was relieved to have the Wasps back row man available for setion and playing some of the best rugby ever after accepting his punishment frthe disciplinary panel.

Martin Johnson was the new choice for captain, he had already led the victorLions in South Africa and this excellent pedigree has stood him in good stead the role he accepted with both hands.


Team Profiles

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Woodward has had his squad training with the Royal Marines and playing a vaof practice matches in order to sharpen up in time for the start.

With only Kyran Bracken a doubt England are in good shape to threaten to befirst Northern Hemisphere side to win the Web Ellis trophy.


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FIJI

World Cup record Best: Quarter-finalists 1987 Played: 7 Won: 1 Lost: 6

Coach: Brad Johnstone

Squad

Backs: Manasa Bari, Fero Lasagavibau, Lawrence Little, Nicky Little, Tabai Matson, Meli Nakauta, Jacob Rauluni, Mosese Rauluni, Viliame Satala, WaisaSerevi, Waisake Sotutu, Imanueli Tiko, Alfred Uluinayau, Marika Vunibaka.

Forwards: Alifereti Doviverata, Emori Katalua, Inoke Male, Alifereti Mocelutu, Apisai Naevo, Epeli Naituivau, Niko Qoro, Simon Raiwalui, Isaia Rasila, DanieRouse, Koli Sewabu, Greg Smith (captain), Ilivasi Tabua, Ifereimi Tawake, Setareki Tawake, Joeli Veitayaki.

Profile

Undoubtedly the world kings at sevens rugby, Fiji now hope to transfer their donance to the 15-a-side game.

New Zealand-born coach Brad Johnstone has transformed the country’s approto rugby, he reveals that training before he took over was 99% on attack and 1defence, line-outs and scrums.

Fiji now have in place a front-row that can mix-it with the best while their three-quarter line remains a threat to even the tightest of defence.

Their good run in qualification means Group C awaits and clashes against FraCanada and Namibia offer genuine hope that progress can be made.

Fijians expect nothing but victory in World Cup 1999 and while that may be hardeliver, they should spring a surprise or two

At last this wonderful rugby nation recognises the importance of 15-a-side touments and have a coach in place who has successfully identified the areas whrequired strengthening in their game.

Johnstone has indicated that he will not be renewing his contract at the end ofyear and he is determined to guide his side into the last eight of the tournamethe very least. If they gel as a unit, Fiji could even surpass their coach’s goal.


Team Profiles

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FRANCE

World Cup record Best: Finalists in 1987 Played: 15 Won: 11 Lost: 3 Drawn: 1

Coach: Jean-Claude Skrela

Squad

Backs: Stephane Castaignede, Jimmy Marlu, Emile Ntamack, Philippe BernatSalles, Xavier Garbajosa, Christophe Dominici, Ugo Mola, Christophe LamaisStephane Glas, Olivier Sarramea, Richard Dourthe, Cedric Desbrosse, ThomaCastaignede, Pierre Mignoni.

Forwards: Franck Tournaire, Christian Califano, Peter de Villiers, Cedric SouleRaphael Ibanez (capt), Marc Dal Maso, David Auradou, Abdel Benazzi, OlivieBrouzet, Fabien Pelous, Arnaud Costes, Christophe Juillet, Marc Lievremont,Thomas Lievremont, Olivier Magne, Lionel Mallier.

Profile

French rugby is reeling after a summer of discontent that appears to have seriousundermined World Cup prospects.

France, back-to-back Five Nations champions and Grand Slam winners in 199and 1998, were on course for an unprecedented hat-trick after beating IrelandLansdowne Road almost seven months ago.

But then the unthinkable happened, a first Paris defeat by Wales since 1975, awheels started falling off in every direction.

Raphael Ibanez's shell-shocked team were no match for England a fortnight laand then Scotland clinched championship glory by turning the Stade de Franctan with a startling 36-22 success.

While the Scots celebrated, France were left holding the Five Nations woodenspoon, having slumped from champs to chumps in spectacularly quick fashion

Predictably, coaches Jean-Claude Skrela and Pierre Villepreux - two legendarformer French internationals - came under fire, but worse was to follow as theytled on in the southern hemisphere.


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A shock defeat by Tonga merely underlined the French demise, which New Zeland confirmed beyond all doubt with a record 54-7 win in Wellington that was jas one-sided as the scoreline suggests.

After a short summer break, Skrela and Villepreux took their players off to the mountains for some intensive physical training in preparation for a first appoinment with Wales at Cardiff's superb new £120million Millennium Stadium last weekend.

Wales coach Graham Henry expected the French to have been "eating barbedand come out "frothing at the mouth" against his team, but nothing could have further from the truth.

France were feeble, losing 34-23 as they conceded back-to-back defeats to Wfor the first time since 1976 and once again raised serious questions over whethey can make any impact at this autumn's World Cup.

On paper, they have a comfortable-looking group, having been drawn alongsidCanada, Namibia and Fiji, suggesting a routine quarter-final passage.

Also on paper, France possess so much talent as to be the envy of most rugbying nations - who wouldn't want Thomas Castaignede, Emile Ntamack, ChristiCalifano, Abdel Benazzi or Olivier Magne on their side?

Yet such is the frustrating French tendency to self-destruct that no one really knwhat they will bring to World Cup 99 - not even assistant coach Villepreux.

"Honestly, I don't know about our World Cup prospects," he said, trudging awafrom Cardiff to pick up the pieces.

"France has a little chance in the World Cup, but people did not see a good Frteam out there against Wales.

"The players have worked hard on their physical preparation, and now we musand improve our rugby.

“We outscored Wales 2-1 in tries, which is an encouraging statistic, and now wwill go away and concentrate on making improvements.

"By the time the World Cup starts and we play our first game against Canada Beziers on October 2 I think it will be a better French team."

No one seriously knows what their chances are - neither Castaignede nor thecoaches. But don't dismiss them as a spent force; they possess too many world-class players to suddenly become also-rans.


Team Profiles

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IRELAND

World Cup record Best: Quarter-finals, 1987, 1991, 1995 Played: 12 Won: 6 Lost: 6

Coach: Warren Gatland

Squad

Backs: Conor O'Shea, Gordon D'Arcy, Justin Bishop, Matt Mostyn, James Topping, Jonathan Bell, Kevin Maggs, Mike Mullins, Brian O'Driscoll, Eric Elwood,David Humphreys, Brian O'Meara, Tom Tierney.

Forwards: Peter Clohessy, Reg Corrigan, Justin Fitzpatrick, Angus McKeen, PWallace, Robert Casey, Ross Nesdale, Keith Wood, Jeremy Davidson, Paddy Johns, Malcolm O'Kelly, Trevor Brennan, David Corkery, Kieron Dawson, Eric Miller, Dion O'Cuinneagain (Capt), Andy Ward.

Profile

Ireland’s results in the Five Nations championships these last two years could magloomy reading for their prospects on the biggest stage of all.

But scratch the surface and luck has not been with them at crucial times whenformances have merited wins they have lost by the odd point.

They almost beat France home and away and deserved to win both games.

The on-field reception at Lansdowne Road is usually uncompromising and theweather generally suits the tough forward style the Irish employ.

While there is not much depth in Irish rugby, there are international quality playin the right positions and on their day the team will compete with the world’s b

Keith Wood at hooker is passionate, strong and skilful and a fine example to thabout him. At second row Paddy Johns and Malcolm O’ Kelly are a strong paiwhile British Lion Jeremy Davidson can certainly stake a forceful claim.

In the backs Connor O’ Shea is an attacking full back with loads of pace and instinct while Kevin Maggs of Bath is blossoming into a powerful centre with aeye for a gap.


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But Ireland’s not so secret weapon is coach Warren Gatland who has concenton making his side play for the entire match whilst retaining the power and pasthey have always shown in the first 20 minutes.

The last World Cup memorably saw Ireland take on the All Blacks and lose thato the devastating impact of Jonah Lomu and Josh Kronfeld.

The time before saw them heart-broken by Australia with the last movement ogame when the Aussies won by a point when it seemed the Irish had it all sow

It is not often the Irish can claim a hard luck tale but they have been neither ouplayed nor outclassed, could this be the year they put the record straight?


Team Profiles

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Coach: Massimo Mascioletti

Squad

Backs: Sandro Ceppolino, Diego Dominguez, Luca Martin, Francesco MazzarGiampiero Mazzi, Nicola Mazzuccato, Matthew Pini, Fabio Roselli, Cristian Stica, Alessandro Troncon, Paolo Vaccari, Nicolas Zisti.

Forwards: Orazio Arancio, Mauro Bergamasco, Carlo Caione, Andrea CastellaCarlo Checchinato, Walter Cristofoletto, Giampiero DeCarli, Mark Giacheri, Msimo Giovanelli (captain), Andrea Moretti, Alessandro Moscardi, Franco PropePaolo Pucciariello, Stefano Saviozzi, Laurent Travini.

Profile

Italy’s rise through the rugby union ranks culminated with the news that they arbecome members of a new Six Nations tournament from the year 2000.

The annual clashes against England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and France wilincrease the sport’s profile in a country where football is king but a successful World Cup would undoubtedly speed up the process.

Coach Massimo Mascioletti has already created one surprise, selecting 27 plarather than the 30 permitted under tournament rules, and he will need the shoccontinue if his side are to progress beyond the pool stage.

An opening game against England on October 2 isn’t the ideal starting point fotheir campaign and with New Zealand in the same section, progress to the lastwould be a fine achievement.

Their hopes of achieving the goal rest with an experienced squad who are deving into a real force.

Fly-half Diego Dominguez is his country’s record points and penalty scorer andneeds to convert every opportunity that comes his way.

Reports of a threatened strike by eight members of the squad over a pay disphave thankfully proved inaccurate as Italy prepare for arguably the biggest tesdate of their rugby credentials.


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Most pundits feel the Italians are facing ‘Mission Impossible’ as they attempt tprogress through Pool B but this could work in their favour.

With no obvious pressure on them, Mascioletti’s side could be the surprise pacof World Cup 1999.


Team Profiles

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JAPAN


Coach: Seiji Hirao

Squad

Backs: Graeme Bachop, Wataru Murata, Keiji Hirose, Kensuke Iwabuchi, AndMcCormick (capt), Yukio Motoki, Akira Yoshida, Atsushi Koga, Terunori MasuhDaisuke Ohata, Patiliai Tuidraki, Ryohei Miki,Tsutomu Matsuda, Takafumi Hira

Forwards: Shin Hasegawa, Toshikazu Nakamichi, Masahiro Kunda, Masaaki Sakata, Naoto Nakamura, Kohei Oguchi, Robert Gordon, Naoya Okubo,YoshiSakuraba, Hiroyuki Tanuma, Greg Smith, Yasunori Watanabe, Hajime Kiso, RIshi, Jamie Joseph, Takeomi Ito.

Profile

Tall is not a word you would usually associate with the Japanese, for all their qities, height and weight has always been in short supply.

They have had to be inventive, ingenious and technically superb in an attemptovercome their lack of size.

But rather than bumbling along in acceptance of their shortcomings steps havbeen taken to try and compete on a level playing field.

Japan’s last World Cup campaign was a disaster – hitting depths never beforeplumbed when losing 145-17 to New Zealand.

As part of Japanese determination to not let that happen again one of the archof that defeat will actually be donning the Red and White of Japan this time ou

At 6ft 6ins Jamie Joseph adds much needed height and aggression to the bacalongside fellow former All Black Greg Smith and Takeomi Ito.

Second row Rob Gordon completes the New Zealand influence up front but it doesn’t end there - Graeme Bachop will play scrum half and captain Rob McCmick was an All Black trialist.

The world may also see 20-year-old Jyunji Hiratsuka who is 6ft 7ins and weighnearly 20 stones.


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With a more competitive pack the requirement of a reliable goal kicker takes ogreater significance, and in Keiji Hirose they have a kicker who has proved hisworth.

Hirose, who was coached by All Black legend Grant Fox, kicked a world recornine penalties in Japan’s 44-17 win over Tonga.

The addition of such notable recruits in tandem with some home-grown stars hworked wonders and from languishing at the bottom of the Pacific Rim table Jaare now top and looking to make their mark as a genuine rugby force.

Group D is a very evenly balanced group, Japan’s opponents are Wales, Argeand Samoa.

While the hosts may prove a tall order the Cherry Blossoms have beaten bothArgentina and Samoa recently and will not unreasonably harbour hopes of doiagain when it matters most.

Japan’s J-League is regarded as one of the tougher domestic leagues and it isducing some exciting prospects, as the World is about to see.


Team Profiles

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NAMIBIA

World Cup record Best: - Played: 0 Won: 0 Lost: 0

Coach: Rudy Joubert

Squad

Backs: Lean van Dyk, Deon Mouton, Glovin van Wyk, Dirk Farmer, Arthur 'Attie' Samuelson, Rudie Jansen van Vuuren, Lukas Holtzhausen, Cliff Loubsher, Frcois van Rensburg, Johan Zaayman, Ronaldo Pedro, Riaan Janjies, Sarel JanRensburg.

Forwards: Sybrand de Beer, Mathys van Rooyen, Jaco Olivier, Schalk van derMerwe, Quinn Hough (capt), Sean Furter, Herman Lintvelt, Heino Senekal, EbIzaacs, Pieter Steyn, Johannes Theron, Gerhard Opperman, Mario Jacobs, ESmith, Andries Blaauw, Hugo Horn, Frans Fisch.

Profile

Rugby Union was imported to Namibia by visiting South African troops in WorWar One.

Namibia itself was run as a colony of South Africa and only became independe1990 but in that time rugby flourished.

Originally Damaraland they competed in the Currie Cup as South West Africa were always regarded as one of the weaker provinces.

However, they do boast perhaps the best backrow player in the history of worlrugby in the legendary Jan Ellis who amassed a then record of 38 Springbok cuntil his retirement in 1972.

Today Namibia, technically the smallest to qualify in terms of numbers, were sprisingly ousted from the last tournament in qualification by the Ivory Coast.

But they put the record straight by beating the Ivorians to qualify this time, toppa group which included Morocco, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.

Namibia is a massive country with a small population so travelling for practice ansquad sessions is horrendous, let alone the week to week matter of club game


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But they bare this with the fortitude of people who play the game for love, a gothing too because there is next to no money in their game - a real shock to thetem for manager Rudy Joubert.

Joubert used to be part of the wealthy former Transvaal province and is now oloan from his job as the South African RFU’s manager of coaching where moneno object.

The cash-strapped Namibian union organise events according to a very limitebudget and their players will be supplying their own pocket money in the WorldCup.

One of Joubert’s problems is that Namibia’s best players have Super 12 experbut harbour hopes of playing for the Springboks and politically there is a pressto select only Namibian nationals.

So Joubert can’t just select good players with questionable Namibian heritagecan he pick some of the best Namibians playing in South Africa because they dwant to give up their Springbok dream.

But these are just part of the job for coach and captain Quinn Hough who himtravels around 600km just to make practice and play for his side Windhoek.

Namibia’s chances rest in the organisation of Joubert and the direction of Houand the hope that they can upset the odds on the world’s greatest stage.


Team Profiles

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NEW ZEALAND

World Cup record Best: Winners 1987 Played: 18 Won: 16 Lost: 2

Coach: John Hart

Squad

Forwards: Andrew Blowers, Robin Brooke, Craig Dowd, Greg Feek, Mark Hammett, Carl Hoeft, Ian Jones, Josh Kronfeld, Norm Maxwell, Kees Meeuws, DylMika, Anton Oliver, Taine Randell (capt), Scott Robertson, Reuben Thorne, RoWillis.

Backs: Pita Alatini, Tony Brown, Christian Cullen, Rhys Duggan, Daryl GibsonAlama Ieremia, Byron Kelleher, Jonah Lomu, Justin Marshall, Andrew MehrtenGlen Osborne, Carlos Spencer, Tana Umaga, Jeff Wilson (vice-capt).

Profile

The men in black once again shoulder the weight of World Cup expectation anthere are no broader shoulders in the game.

By their own astronomically high standards the last two World Cups would probly have been something of a disappointment.

They were the best team in the competition back in 1995 but came up short infinal to South Africa.

Something got to them in that final, may be someone did poison their food as end has it or may be they came up against a side driven by years in the internatiowilderness.

Whatever, the Springboks won as did the Wallabies in the semi-final of 1991 itseems whoever finishes ahead of New Zealand wins the tournament – no one 1987, when David Kirk lifted the inaugural trophy.

The All Blacks have always been innovators, combining great skill with a shreview of how the game should be played and almost immediately the rest of theworld follows suit.

This time the point of attack seems to be in the centre where Alama Ieremia aDaryl Gibson look likely to start, both are solid and dependable but not as youmight expect billowing over with natural flare.


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But they do have great presence, their decision-making is out of the top draw awith Andrew Mehrtens at stand off the three players will be expected to run theshow.

For all their ability and will to win the All Blacks do not always get it their own way and 1998 is a year they will want to forget.

Outplayed in the Tri-Nations and shorn of three of their most experienced playand captain they lurched from one defeat to another, confidence in new captaTaine Randell waned and coach John Hart nearly lost his job.

They are still a little raw and if it was any other side they might be considered lightweight up front.

But a year on from their annus horribilis they are a force once more and despiteTri-Nations defeat in Sydney they are settled and equipped to cope with the msive expectation from their fans.


Team Profiles

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ROMANIA


Coach: Jon Phillips

Squad

Constantin Tudor (capt), Razvan Mavrodin, Constantin Stan, Laurentiu RotaruNicolae Dragos Dima, Adrian Salageanu, Petru Vladimir Balan, Stefan DemciOvidiu Tonita, Adrian Alin Petrache, Catalin Sebastian Draguceanu, Tiberiu EuBrinza, Daniel Chiriac, Florin Corodeanu, Stefan Slusariuc, Erdinci Septar, PeMitu, Marius Lucian Iacob, Lucian Mihai Sirbu, Lucien Roland Vusec, Mihai Leonard Ciolacu, Tonut Razvan Tofan, Romeo Stefan Gontineac, Gabriel Brezoianu, Christian Lupu, Radu Fugigi, Gheorghe Lucian Solomie, Cristian Diel Sauan, Cristian Nicolin Hildan, Mihai Horia Vioreanu.

Profile

Romania are on the long road back to rugby prominence a decade after revolusent their sporting fortunes plummeting.

Nicolea Ceaucescu’s regime nurtured and funded sport as a way of promoting hpolitical system on an international stage.

In days when the game was still regarded as amateur throughout the 70’s anda well paid Romanian outfit were a force to be reckoned with and entry into a Epean six nations tournament might have come sooner than Italy.

But the bloody events of 1989 saw the destruction of the oppressive regime anwith it the economy, so the plug was pulled on financial support for rugby.

It’s ironic that just as most of Europe was moving towards a professional gameRomania went rapidly the other way and the major job now is to bridge the evewidening gap.

The domestic game suffered with the top quality players leaving for France maand the exodus still goes on.

Players defected before the revolution - envious of hard currency countries, buttrickle became a flood after 1989 and any semblance of order was gone at moels of the game.


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Things have settled down but with many of their top professionals playing in France and those clubs unwilling to release the players for qualifying it was toand go as to whether they would make it to Wales ’99 at all.

Without five of their first choice pack members they lost 53-35 to Ireland at Lansdowne Road but qualified by beating Georgia in a nailbiter that ended 27

Coach Mircea Paraschiv has a monumental task of moulding some very gooders into a team before the beginning of the tournament.

Romania face Australia, Ireland and the USA in Irish based group E and third their realistic aim.

Shortly after the fall of their communist dictator, Romania beat a full strength French side 12-6 in Auch, they will need to reproduce that form to continue onroad to recovery.


Team Profiles

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SAMOA

World Cup record Best: Quarter-finals, 1991, 1995 Played: 8 Won: 4 Lost: 4

Coach: Bryan Williams

Squad:

Backs: Silao Leaega, Mike Umaga, Tanner Vili, Brian Lima, Afato So'oalo, Va'aigaTuigamala, Filipo Toala, To'o Vaega, George Leaupepe, Terry Fanolua, StephBachop, Earl Va'a, Steven So'oialo, Jon Clarke

Forwards: Pat Lam (captain), Junior Paramore, Sene Ta'ala, Kalolo Toleafoa, Craig Glendinning, Semo Sititi, Isaac Feaunati, Lio Falaniko, Lama Tone, OpePalepoi, Kepi Faivaai, Robbie Ale, Brendan Reidy, Mike Mika, Trevor Leota, Ohunga Matauiau.

Profile

They have already produced one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history bWestern Samoa circa 1999 want to go further.

Widely-regarded as being a team of immense flair, the south sea islanders hageted a semi-final berth at the very least and there is a steely determination wtheir squad.

A 16-13 win over Wales at Cardiff Arms Park in their opening World Cup gameback in 1991 rocked the rugby world and they are determined to grab the headonce again.

Bryan Williams’ side arrive at the finals courtesy of a third place in the final Pacific-qualifying tournament although their recent form has been somewhat mixed.

Battling victories over Fiji and the United States read well enough but a 71-13reverse at the hands of New Zealand is a cause for concern. The Samoans detenaciously for the opening 25 minutes at the North Harbour stadium before faaway tamely as the game progressed.

They will need to perform at their very best for 80 minutes to live up to the hypover the coming weeks although few can argue against the quality of their squ


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The likes of Stephen Bachop, Brian Lima, Va’aiga Tuigamala, Junior Paramore aMike Umaga have invaluable experience while Pat Lam remains one of the finflankers in the game.

Western Samoa are already one of the most entertaining teams in the world. Bend of this tournament they intend being hailed as the best.


Team Profiles

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SCOTLAND

World Cup record Best: Semi-finalists in 1991 Played: 14 Won: 8 Lost: 5 Drawn: 1

Coach: Jim Telfer

Squad

Backs: Glenn Metcalfe, Chris Paterson, Cameron Murray, Kenny Logan, ShauLongstaff, Alan Tait, John Leslie, James McLaren, Jamie Mayer, Gregor Townsend, Duncan Hodge, Gary Armstrong, Bryan Redpath, Iain Fairley.

Forwards: , Tom Smith, Paul Burnell, George Graham, Dave Hilton, Gordon Bloch, Robert Russell, Scott Murray, Stuart Grimes, Doddie Weir, Andy Reed, Cmie Mather, Martin Leslie, Budge Pountney, Gordon Simpson, Peter Walton, Stuart Reid.

Profile

You simply cannot write Scotland off with Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer in charge.

The two coaches between them have won everything from Five Nations Chamships, a Grand Slam, a Lion’s tour - everything that is apart from a World Cup.

This could well be the year - prior to this year’s Five Nations Scotland were writoff by many as the worst team in the competition.

Nothing could have been further from the truth as they won the Championshipthanks to England losing to Wales on the final day.

They lost to England at Twickenham but many observers were of the opinion tScotland were the better side notwithstanding the result.

There were two main highlights of the 1999 vintage - Scott Murray’s coming oage in the line out and the combination of Gregor Townsend, Alan Tait and JoLeslie in the midfield.

McGeechan and Telfer do make the best of comparatively limited resources interms of numbers of Scots playing the game.


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But in order to swell the ranks the last couple of seasons have seen the influxmany expatriot Scots such as Glen Metcalf at full back and the Leslie brothers

Not only are the Scots tactically very aware, they are also able to boast some strength in depth, particularly at stand off where record capped Craig Chalmercould not even get in the squad.

The only real criticism may be that they have a lightweight pack but they combthat by being aggressive at lineouts and play a quick expansive game involvinmany phases through the midfield.

It works too, so any side thinking the Scots will be a pushover are likely to be oearly plane home this Autumn.


Team Profiles

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SOUTH AFRICA

World Cup record Best: Winners in 1995 Played: 6 Won: 6 Lost: 0

Coach: Nick Mallett

Squad

Backs: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Pieter Rossouw, Stephan TerblanDeon Kayser, Brendan Venter, Pieter Muller, Robbie Fleck, Wayne Julies, KayMalotana, Henry Honiball, Jannie de Beer, Joost van der Westhuizen (capt), Werner Swanepoel.

Forwards: Bobby Skinstad, Anton Leonard, Johan Erasmus, Andre Venter, AnVos, Ruben Kruger, Krynauw Otto, Mark Andrews, Fritz van Heerden, Albert vder Berg, Os du Randt, Ollie le Roux, Adrian Garvey, Cobus Visagie, Chris Rosouw, Naka Drotske.

Profile

When Joel Stransky's extra-time drop goal soared between the posts to seal anerve-jangling 15-12 World Cup final victory for South Africa over New Zealanin Johannesburg on June 24, 1995, the host nation rejoiced.

The Springboks officially became the best team in the world at Ellis Park as skper Francois Pienaar received the Webb Ellis Trophy from Nelson Mandela, wendeared himself to the watching world by symbolically wearing a replica of Paar's number six shirt.

The Apartheid era had seen South African rugby ostracised from the internatiosporting arena for decades.

But as Pienaar, an Afrikaner, and Mandela, South Africa's first black presidentstood united under the Rainbow Nation banner, a new era beckoned.

Four years on and the Springboks are facing a mini-crisis.

Pienaar, the talisman of the South African renaissance since their readmission international rugby, is now player-coach of English Premiership One club Saraand knows his days of wearing the Springbok shirt are over.


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Scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen now wears the skipper's mantle and theacy of World Cup-winning coach Kitch Christie, who died from cancer shortly after the famous triumph, is now in the hands of Nick Mallett.

Mallett knows he must deliver following a series of poor results in 1999. He wagiven the dreaded vote of confidence after the Springboks were hammered 28New Zealand in their opening Tri-Nations game and followed that up with a 32reverse in Australia. Skipper Gary Teichmann was dropped from the squad aftethose setbacks but Mallett has so far survived.

Mallett's credentials remain impressive but he knows Springbok fans are amonmost demanding in world rugby and anything less than a successful defence oWorld Cup will be viewed as failure.

Since losing to England at Twickenham last December after a world record-eqling run of 17 consecutive victories, South Africa's form has been mediocre.

In addition to comprehensive defeats by the All Blacks (twice) and Australia inTri-Nations this year, the Springboks lost for the first time ever to World Cup hnation Wales. Two emphatic victories over Italy and the home 10-9 Tri-Nations over Australia have done little to ease the pressure on Mallett.

To be fair on the man currently occupying the hottest of coaching hot seats, thSpringboks have been decimated by injuries to key players.

Van der Westhuizen, rated by many as the best scrum-half in the world, has finwon his fitness battle after injuring his knee against England at Twickenham.

His absence, and that of his regular half-back partner Henry Honiball, has disruthe fluency of South Africa's potent three-quarter line - but both are expected tfit for the tournament.

Influential wing forward Bobby Skinstad and lock Mark Andrews have both beesidelined through injury at various stages of the build-up.

The notion that the Springboks have strength in depth evaporated as those drin to replace injured first-choice players failed to make their mark.


Team Profiles

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SPAIN


Coach: Alfonso Feijoo

Squad

Backs: Aratz Gallastegui, Jaime Alonso, Andrei Kovalenco, Aitor Etxeberría, Alvar Enciso, Fernando Díez, Rafael Bastide, Alberto Socias, Sebastien LoubOriol Ripol, Antonio Socias, José Ignacio Inchausti, Angel Frechilla, Ferrán Velazco, Francisco Puertas.

Forwards: Jordi Camps, José Ignacio Zapatero,Víctor Torres, Luis Javier MartiFernando De La Calle, Diego Zarzosa, José Miguel Villaú, Steve Tuineau, SerSouto, Alberto Malo (Captain), Carlos Souto, Oscar Astarloa, José Díaz, AgusMalet, Alfonso Mata.

Profile

Most countries have lofty ambitions for World Cup 1999 but Spain only have oto win a game.

One of the genuine outsiders for the tournament, Alfonso Feijo’s side are undeillusions about the size of the task they face in a group that also includes SoutAfrica and Scotland. The game against Uruguay on October 2 represents theifinal although a recent 20-3 defeat at the hands of the same opponents does ninspire confidence.

Spain qualified for the finals with a heart-stopping victory over Portugal at Murrfield but recent performances in Japan do not augur well.

Scoring points has been their main concern of late although in fly-half Andrei Kovalenko they possess a play-maker of real quality.

Coach Feijo has ignored the claims of several players who hail from outside thcountry but qualify to represent them in the World Cup in the belief that he is buing a side for the future. It is a commendable attitude.

They deserve a good tournament and are determined to give it their best shotmay not be enough to qualify but this dedicated squad are determined to rufflefeather or two before boarding the plane back to Spain.


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TONGA


Coach: Polutele Tu'ihalamaka

Squad:

Forwards: David Edwards, Ta'u Fainga'anuku, Kuli Faletau, Puku Faletau, 'Isi Fatani, Benhur Kivalu, Sonatane Koloi, Falamani Mafi, Latiume Maka, TamienPenisini, Ngalu Ta'u, Tevita Taumoepeau, Mat Te Pou, Va'a Toloke, Katilione Tu'ipulotu, Fe'ao Vunipola (captain).

Backs: Semisi Faka'osifolau, Salesi Finau, Sililo Marten, 'Epeli Taione, 'Isi Tapluelu, Taunaholo Taufahema, Siua Taumalolo, Semi Taupeaafe, Fepikou TatafTevita Tiueti, Sateki Tu'ipulotu, Sione Mone Tu'ipulotu, 'Elisi Vunipola, Brian Wooley.

Profile

A steady stream of high quality Tongans leave the shores of the small pacific isevery year to pursue their rugby fortunes elsewhere.

Not only does every South Sea Islander - Fijian, Samoan and Tongan alike waplay for the All Blacks but also there is no money in the game in Tonga and intives to stay are thin on the ground.

Hence Willie Ofahengaue, Jonah Lomu, Pita Alatini and Carl Hoeft among othwill be appearing for other sides this year.

If the only factor to dictate the make up of a rugby team was nationality then Towould be challenging the world’s best. For their players are rugby naturals witpace, skill and aggression.

In fact, the last of these three attributes has been their downfall in the past wittoo many sendings off and penalties they get severely punished by oppositioners.

The players that still call Tonga home need serious persuasion to forfeit a mona lucrative foreign club contract money to come and play internationals.

But when it seemed they would not qualify the exiles rallied round to beat SouKorea in the repechage by an aggregate score of 140-41.


Team Profiles

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Tonga’s population is small at a little over 90,000 but every male plays rugby, tnational game.

Their scattered players make preparing for matches difficult but they have a cohead in coach Polutele Tu’ihalamaka, the capital’s fire chief.

And although on the bigger stage it will always be a case of what might have btheir unpredictability makes them a perennial threat.


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URUGUAY


Coach: Pablo Ferrari

Squad

Backs: Diego Aguirre, Sebastián Aguirre, Alfonso Cardoso, Martín Cerviño, PabCostabile, Martín Ferres, Juan Martín Marques, Juan Menchaca, Martín MendFernando Paullier, Federico Sciarra, Fernando Sosa Diaz, Pedro Vecino, JoséViana.

Forwards: Juan Alzueta, Juan Carlos Bado, Eduardo Berruti, Nicolás BrignoniFrancisco De Los Santos, Lenardo De Olivera, Nicolás Grille, Guillermo LaffiteMario Lamé, Diego Lamelas, Pablo Lemoine, Diego Ormaechea, Martín PanizAgustín Ponce De Leon, Rodrigo Sanchez, Guillermo Storace.

Profile

Uruguay are newcomers to the World Cup stage, their arrival here is testimonymany years perseverance.

The history of Uruguayan rugby is actually quite long and was first played in 1at the Montevideo cricket club, but it wasn’t until 1951that the Uruguayan RugUnion was formed.

Since then the game has evolved in the top echelons of Montevidean society these days its power base is at the Carrasco Polo club who are the Uruguayachampions and home to the national captain Diego Ormaechea.

Their seven’s side gained recognition last year when they beat the French at tworld renowned Punte del Este tournament only narrowly losing to Fiji.

To reach the finals Uruguay have had to play nine qualifiers, more than any otside and displayed some fierce scrummaging to win their repercharge matcheagainst Portugal.

They play regularly against Argentina and are yet to record a win but the gap isidly narrowing – in last year’s South American championship the two sides wejust four points apart in the last five before Argentina won 32-14.


Team Profiles

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The Uruguayan coach Daniel Herrera’s own career was frustrated by injury budespite doing the job on an amateur basis he has spared nothing to prepare hiincluding five factfinding missions to Europe en route to the finals.

‘Los Teros’ as they are known are in Group A with South Africa, Scotland and Spain and it’s the Spanish who offer the plucky South Americans their best chof a first ever World Cup win.

Minnows they may be, their game lacks money, a player base and world cup erience but they have worked extremely hard to get here and they have heart apassion and the Spanish are in for an uncomfortable time.


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USA


Coach: Jack Clark

Squad:

Backs:

Vaea Anitoni, Andre Blom, Jesse Coulson, Kevin Dalzell, Juan Grobler, Brian Hightower, David Niu, Alatini Saulala, Mark Scharrenberg, Rich Schurfeld, KuShuman, Dave Stroble, Tomasi Takau, Sinapati Uiagalelei, Mark Williams.

Forwards:

Tom Billups, Joe Clayton, Luke Gross, Dave Hodges, Kirk Khasigian, Marc L’Huillier, Ray Lehner, Rob Lumkong, Dan Lyle (captain), Fifita Mo’unga, ShauPaga, Alec Parker, Eric Reed, George Sucher, Richard Tardits

Profile

Your average American would probably be quite hard-pressed to name any ofcurrent American World Cup squad.

But that lack of recognition has not stopped them bouncing back from the disapointment of failing to qualify in 1995 to the excitement of taking their place in tyear’s tournament.

To be fair to the average American, the stars of the USA squad are from a widvaried background.

Captain Dan Lyle is as American as Uncle Sam but plies his trade for Bath in English Premiership while Tom Billups plays for Pontypridd in Wales.

They have players from the South Pacific such as Vaea Anitoni and Alatini Sauand the likes of Kevin Dalzell and David Niu whose main experience comes frthe Super 12.

Homegrown talent does exist – club sides Gentlemen of Aspen and Denver Baians provide a third of the squad.

Professionalism could be the dawn of a new age in America with their enormopotential resources, they could rapidly overtake other emerging nations.


Team Profiles

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With over 1200 clubs there is certainly a strong playing base, only England bomore and negotiations are ongoing with the massive Fox network to set up eigdomestic conferences.

However, this World Cup is likely to be tough for them as their recent record 10defeat by England at Twickenham hinted at.

They face Australia, Ireland and Romania in Group E with the eastern Europetheir best chance of posting some points.

Number eight Lyle and stand-off Dalzell are genuinely talented though and wilthe base around which the future is built.

With such massive potential a good World Cup would showcase the game bachome and spark off the arrival of a new force in world rugby.


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WALES

World Cup record Best: third in 1987 Played: 12 Won: 7 Lost: 5

Coach: Graham Henry

Squad

Backs: Allan Bateman, Neil Boobyer, Leigh Davies, Scott Gibbs, Shane HowaRobert Howley (capt), Dafydd James, Neil Jenkins, Steven Jones, Jason Jones-Hughes, David Llewellyn, Mark Taylor, Gareth Thomas, Nick Walne.

Forwards: Colin Charvis, Ben Evans, Jonathan Humphreys, Garin Jenkins, GeLewis, Andrew Lewis, Gareth Llewellyn, Andrew Moore, Scott Quinnell, Craig Quinnell, Peter Rogers, Brett Sinkinson, Mike Voyle, Martyn Williams, Chris Wyatt, David Young.

Profile

Wales will enter the World Cup this autumn as favourites to top their group andsecure a mouthwatering Cardiff quarter-final against Australia.

It is a long time since Wales were favourites for anything, particularly in a comption where they have twice let themselves down to such a degree that it becamnational embarrassment.

Wales have become accustomed to World Cup failure following their admirablthird place finish - courtesy of Paul Thorburn's dramatic late conversion - at th1987 global extravaganza.

In both 1991 and 1995, they failed to reach the knockout stages, winning a pitone Test during each tournament and losing vital matches against Western Saand Ireland when their bottle went.

Eighteen months ago, as the build-up towards World Cup 99 started to gathermomentum, Wales were experiencing further agonies, conceding 60 points agEngland and being destroyed by France 51-0 during yet another forgettable FNations campaign.


Team Profiles

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In Pretoria, on June 27, 1998, the world finally caved in, beaten 96-13 by SouAfrica when the rampant Springboks would have racked up a century had thewasted at least three try-scoring chances.

Fifteen tries conceded proved more than enough for one evening though, leavthe Welsh players shell-shocked, especially their captain Robert Howley - andwasn't even playing.

Howley, sidelined with hamstring trouble, watched from the Loftus Versfeld staas South Africa cut loose, an agonising experience which he readily admits winever be forgotten.

More than a year on, and Howley's captaincy reign is one of the few unchangefeatures of Welsh rugby as the nation reacquaints itself with a tag they never lduring the 1970s glory years - favourites.

A new coach, the phenomenally successful New Zealander Graham Henry, suported by new faces in forwards guru Lyn Howells and fitness motivator SteveBlack, has helped transform Wales' fortunes.

And it is no wonder that Howley affords himself a little smile when he reflects othe achievements under Henry - most notably, the victories over England, Fraand South Africa.

"I have got the greatest respect for Kevin Bowring (Henry's predecessor), andterms of our organisation and preparation under Kevin we weren't very far awaHowley said.

"What has happened is that we've seen some subtle personnel changes in thewith players like Shane Howarth, Peter Rogers and Craig Quinnell featuring, apeople of that quality can make such a difference at international level.”

"There is competition for places throughout the squad, which is exactly what isrequired. The same 15 players won't get us through a World Cup campaign, wneed 30 guys who can slot in immediately when injuries occur and be familiar wthe type of game we are trying to play.”

"As captain, I feel that we've now got that strength in depth, but it has taken a dor so Test matches over the past year to help us get there."


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Match Reports

Wales 23 - Argentina 18

Venue: Cardiff-Millennium StadiumReferee: P. O'Brien Attendance: 72,500Date: 01 Oct 1999

Two tries illuminated an otherwise dull tournament-opener which never looked living up to the pre-tournament hype. The margin of Wales' victory was somewcloser than predicted and the Dragons will need to make vast improvements innext few weeks if they are to avoid the humiliation of being the first RWC hostbe spectators at the Final.

Following the highlights of Max Boyce in full cry, Shirley Bassey's frock, a per-functory speech from the Prince of Wales, the retracting roof and a resounding'Land of our Fathers' from the near-capacity 72,000 at the brand new MillenniuStadium, the opening match in the 1999 World Cup, a traditional kicking game the order of play- as it was in the opening match of the only other World Cup hin the northern hemisphere back in 1991. Nerves obviously played a part in prceedings as pass after pass went astray and moves broke down into confusiothe end of the match, a crowd who had been in full cry accompanying CatatoCerys Matthews in the pre-match entertainment were reduced to a state of near-silence by a war of attrition that went all the way to the wire.

A try by Colin Charvis was the best moment of the first half, a minute into injurtime after the Welsh had been shocked at finding themselve 9-6 down. HookeGarin Jenkins found himself out of place on the right wing, slipped but manageretain the ball in order for Howley to fling the ball inside. Charvis was there in front of the posts to cut through some non-existent Argentinian defence to putWales into the lead for the first time.

Eight minutes after the break, Swansea centre Mark Taylor ran onto a ball froGareth Thomas to split the Argentinian defence and touch down underneath tposts. Apart from these flashes of inspiration, the rest of the game turned intoduel between the two fly-halves, Neil Jenkins and Gonzalo Quesada who tradpenalties throughout the match with Quesada achieving the unusual feat of lanmore successful kicks than Jenkins with six well-taken penalties. The Welsh pomachine will have to wait a while longer before he overtakes Australia's MichaLynagh as the world's top points scorer, but his three penalties and two conver


Match Reports

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were nonetheless valuable. Most of the penalties resulted from the strong runof the centres backed up by Wales' major ball-carrier Scott Quinnell. A lack of quick ball from both sides meant that a lot of possession had to be kicked awaythe stop-start nature of the match definitely favoured the one-paced Argentinia

Still, one area of Welsh play did live up to its advance billing with the front rowabsolutely rampant form. The trio of Rogers, Jenkins and Young completely destroyed their opponents to such an extent that the Pumas front row were inttently in danger of inspecting the Millennium Stadium's retractable roof at veryclose quarters as they were muscled skywards by the strongarm Welshmen.

The crowd was also treated to their first sight of Australian-born centre Jason Jones-Hughes who came on for Scott Gibbs in the second half and the formerSouth Wales back immediately made his considerable presence felt with a matackle on Octavio Bartolucci. On this showing he is likely to be given more of astarring role during the rest of Wales' World Cup campaign.

So, a result for Wales but the inevitable question remains, "Have they got a chof winning the tournament?". It would appear not on their performance againsvery one-dimensional Puma side. The Dragons have a mighty scrum but are ncomplete outfit quite yet - as coach Graham Henry has been telling everyone cares to listen for the past month. It appears he wasn't playing mind games, ining in devious psychology, or trying to reclaim underdog status for his side. Hwas telling God's honest truth.


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Fiji 67 - Namibia 18

Venue: BeziersReferee: D. McHugh Attendance: 10,000Date: 01 Oct 1999

The magical Sevens-style of the Southern Seas came to Beziers as Fiji clocka national record 67 points over the brave Namibians. Included in their nine triwere two from flying right winger Fero Lasagavibau, but the influence of coachformer All Black front row Brad Johnstone was also evident in an amount of foward power that would never have been expected from the side before his reigThat forward power was most obvious in the set piece, where Namibia won juspercent of their own lineouts and lost three scrums against the head. Behind tdashing performance was the old retainer, mercurial fly-half Waisale Serevi, wmade ten of eleven attempts at goal, several of which were touchline conversafter dashing scores down the flanks. Fiji racked up 43 points before the breakdespite allowing two scores from the Southern Africans early in the second pestepped on the gas when it was needed in order to preserve a comfortable cuA try from Jacob Rauluni finished off the scoring three minutes into time addedand the Fijians must now be favourites to go at least as far as the quarter-finaloffs. Tomorrow's game between Canada and pool hosts France will give a betindication of which teams are strongest in this, the weakest of groups.


Match Reports

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Spain 15 - Uruguay 27

Venue: GalashielsReferee: C. White Attendance: 3,761Date: 02 Oct 1999

Uruguay recorded their first ever victory in the World Cup finals as the South Americans beat Spain 27-15 in the 'battle of the amateurs' Pool A match hereSaturday.

Two late breakaway tries by full-back Alfonso Cardoso and substitute Juan Macheca sealed the win in a tight match against an enterprising but lightweight Sish side.

Cardoso raced 50 metres down the left flank to score in the corner two minutefrom time and moments later Mancheca, in his first touch of the match, made alian interception to score in the other corner.

With South Africa and Scotland making up the other two teams in the group, thmatch - the 100th in the history of the World Cup - provided the only realistic chance of victory for both teams.

Uruguay, favourites to win after beating Spain 20-3 in a recent warm-up matchItaly, started slowly but led 10-6 at the interval thanks to a try from Diego Ormachea, the oldest player in the World Cup at 40.

The veteran number eight, winning his 62nd cap, went over from close range the posts providing Federico Sciarra with an easy conversion.

Ukranian-born fly-half Andrei Kovalenco kept Spain in contention with two firsthalf penalties before putting them in front with two more in the 49th and 51st mutes. But Uruguay, one of only two sides along with Argentina to field entirelyhome born-and-bred players, laid siege to the Spanish line and regained the lfifteen minutes from time.

English referee Chris White awarded a penalty try for persistent foul play aftereight scrums collapsed on the Spanish line. Diego Aguirre converted to put Urguay 17-12 ahead but moments later Kovalenco, a translator by trade, struck fifth penalty to close the gap to two points before the late tries ended their hopa surprise win.


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Canada 20 - France 33

Venue: BeziersReferee: B. CampsallAttendance: 18,000Date: 02 Oct 1999

France took some monkey off their backs with this victory over Canada. It wastheir first win in six internationals and, while not totally convincing, the victory puts them in the running to win Group C.

Two turnovers by Canada allowed France to counter attack and score the twothey needed to claim the win, although France too could have been faulted foring ball in possession. However, their loss in contact didn't cost them tries. Frscored four tries in total but left others on the table as they dropped passes anto stiff Canadian tackles in a very tough and physical encounter.

Questions arose before the match as to whether Canada's captain and only foWorld Cup participant Gareth Rees, would take the field. But take the field he to keep his record of playing is every one of Canada's World Cup and World Cuqualifying matches since 1986. He didn't, however, last the game.

While his strained quadriceps muscle lasted the pace in the first half, he aggraan ankle injury which caused him to retire just on half-time. By then he had scofive points through a penalty and a conversion, but allowed fullback Scott Steto take the touch kicks. He also received a yellow card for a high tackle on ThoCastaignede.

His loss at the break allowed Bob Ross to come on for his 37th cap but Canadmissed Rees's leadership and hard tackling close to the scrum. Rees put Caninto the lead with a penalty in the first minute and many in the crowd must havea certain dread that France was in for a tough afternoon.

However Richard Dourth hit back to even the score a couple of minutes later. Ominutes French centre Stephane Glas scored after a Canadian turnover to givhome team the lead.

Young Morgan Williams, the Canadian scrum-half in only his fourth Test, silencthe French crowd when he found space at the side of a maul and darted in undposts, Rees converted but another Dourth penalty allowed France to recover tlead at 11-10. Oliver Magne then scored a try from another Canadian turnovergive France an 18-10 lead going into half-time after Dourth's conversion.


Match Reports

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Canada began the second-half with a flourish and lock Mike James nearly sconear the posts, but stiff French tackles denied the big Perpignan forward. At 53-minutes scrum-half Morgan Williams again took the initiative as he hackedball through on the 22-meter mark, followed up, lost the ball in a tackle, retrievit, and rolled over to score. A tremendous individual effort.

With Ross's conversion the score lay at 18-17 and the crowd grew silent havinfears that the France might yet again let another international slip through theigers. It didn't. Forward pressure carried Thomas Castidnede over for France'stry and in the 70th minute French flair saw Emil Ntamack score the kind of flowback-line try France are known for.

Dourth converted and then kicked a penalty while Ross replied with a penalty Canada. The French victorious by 33-20.

"I'm always astonished," said Canadian coach Pat Parfrey, "how we can play swell against professional sides and that we even expect to win. We played withsion, the way people expect Canada to play, but in order for us to beat a teamFrance, or any founding nation, we have to get everything right on the day. Towe didn't. We were good in the line-outs but we faltered in the scrums and turnthe ball over at crucial times."

Rees will receive physiotherapy throughout the week as Canada move to Bordto prepare to face Fiji next Saturday, and it looks as though the predictions of aago, that Canada and Fiji would play for second spot in Group C, will becomereality.


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England 67 - Italy 7

Venue: TwickenhamReferee: A. Watson Attendance: 70,000Date: 02 Oct 1999

Poor Paul Grayson. He was the only England substitute not to get onto the fieldcelebrate his country's biggest ever World Cup win, against the team who will them in the Six Nations championship next season.

So often in the past, when faced by substandard opposition, England have faileclick, barely scraping a victory. Nowhere was this more obvious than against tsame opposition in the World Cup qualifying match last November when, on arainy night in Huddersfield, they could easily have lost embarrassingly, clingina 23-15.

Italian indiscipline was a major factor, resulting in three yellow cards for the fiersouthern Europeans. It was certainly the reason for Jonny Wilkinson's rattling uthe score in the first half but three wonderfully-made tries confounded any critwho would have hoped to recognise England's kicking-reliant style of old.

After ten minutes, scrum-half Matt Dawson chipped down the right wing. AustiHealey at first failed to gain control, either with hand or boot, but he managed gather and pop it to the No.9 who had run down in support and then broke twotackles to go over by the corner flag, and the festival began.

On only one occasion were the Italians in the ascendant. As the hosts relaxed inglory of a 17-0 lead with 25 minutes gone, Argentinian-born fly-half Diego Dominguez snatched Dawson's pass, beat an attempted tackle from Healey ascored under the posts. The flashy No.10 converted his own try, his side's onlyat goal all game. In comparison, England's Wilkinson hit 11 of 14 for 27 points

The only downside to the match was a hamstring pull suffered by Will Greenwoonly newly returned to the side following a year-long groin complaint. Initial reports claimed that the problem was not as serious as that injury and the subtion at least had the positive effect of the return of Jeremy Guscott, held out oforiginal lineup with a groin scare.

Substitute Martin Corry blasted over the tryline in the 83rd minute to notch up 67th point, following a behind-the-back pass from Dawson, underlining the hodominance.


Match Reports

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Ireland 53 - USA 8

Venue: Dublin-Lansdowne RdReferee: J. Dume Attendance: 30,000Date: 02 Oct 1999

Dynamic hooker Keith Wood led the way with four tries as Ireland swamped thUnited States 53-8 in the opening World Cup Pool E match for both teams at Lansdowne Road on Saturday night.

The fiery Irish had too much pace, too much poise and too much power for thelargely part-time opponents and Wood completely demolished the feeble Amerdefence.

Ireland's points came from tries to wing Justin Bishop, centre Brian O'Driscoll,four to Wood and a penalty try, while fly-half David Humphreys kicked four coversions and two penalties and replacement Eric Elwood kicked two conversiWood scored three of his tries in a sensational five-minute burst late in the gamthe Americans wilted.

The United States got a try from scrum-half Kevin Dalzell, who also landed a palty, but the Americans dropped too much possession to be a serious threat aspent most of the match on the back foot in their own half. The United States,ing to bounce back from 106-8 loss to England at Twickenham five weeks agowere without back-rower Rob Lumkong, who was ruled out by a knee injury. Twere more competitive this time, but their tendency to overelaborate on attackto bunch their backline, proved expensive against a well-disciplined Irish side.

Ireland, who led 24-8 at halftime, have now won all three meetings between thteams. The Irish stormed onto the attack from the kick-off and took a 3-0 leadthrough a Humphreys penalty within two minutes.

The fly-half also set up the first try with a clever pass after seven minutes that Bishop a clear run to the line. Humphreys converted to make it 10-0. The Amecans bounced straight back when Dalzell took an interception in midfield and scored in the left-hand corner to reduce the margin to five points.

Ireland took control after 15 minutes when American centre Tomasi Takau spithe ball 40 metres out and the Irish quickly spun the ball wide for the pacy O'Dcoll to score. Humphreys again converted and it was 17-5. The Americans addthree points through a Dalzell penalty after 26 minutes after Irish lock Jeremy


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idson was penalised for throwing a punch in the ruck - but the home side contrplay for long periods.

The Irish increased their lead after 29 minutes when they scored a pushover tafter winning a 5-metre lineout. British Lions hooker Wood, who is becoming prolific try-scorer, was the man who got the ball down. Humphreys' kick appeato go wide, but both touch judges ruled the conversion was good and the Irishby 16 points at halftime.

It didn't take the Irish long to increase their lead after the break, Dume awardinpenalty try after peristent American infringements on their own line. Humphreyagain converted to make it 31-8. American captain Dan Lyle earned a caution professional foul with 15 minutes left and Humphreys banged over another pen

Wood bullocked his way over the line with nine minutes left to rub salt into theAmericans' wounds then repeated the dose two minutes later and, remarkablyagain a minute later when he collected a kick over the top to score in the corn

American Luke Gross and Ireland's Paddy Johns earned cautions for a late flarbut by that time it was academic.

Ireland have made the quarter-finals of each of the three previous tournamentwill be favoured to at least repeat that performance, while the Americans - matheir third finals appearance - have never made it past the first round.

The Irish fans were clearly not tempted by the match and there were several tsand empty seats in the famous old stadium.


Match Reports

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Samoa 43 - Japan 9

Venue: WrexhamReferee: A. ColeAttendance: 15,000Date: 03 Oct 1999

Big-hitting Samoa, led by their devastating full-back Silao Leaega, overpowereJapan 43-9 in their Group D World Cup match here on Sunday - running in fivtries.

Leaega's personal tally was 23 points. And when he wasn't scoring he was wring havoc with Japan's stuttering attack with some massive hits. Half-way throthe first-half his opposite number Tsutomu Matsuda was bursting through on tbreak until Leaega hit him with a tackle that stopped him dead in his tracks.

Matsuda had to go off, clearly suffering from a shoulder injury. His place was taby Patiliai Tuidraki. In atrocious conditions, a stiff wind and driving rain, it was Japan who opened the scoring when Keiji Hirose converted his first penalty afonly four minutes.

Two minutes later Leaega returned the compliment. Leaega put Samoa in fronwith his second penalty after ten minutes but in a scrappy, error-strewn openinminutes, Hirose levelled the score two minutes later with another penalty.

As the intensity of the rain increased Samoan winger Brian Lima pounced onloose ball just short of the Japanese line in the 23rd minute, shrugged off a tacand touched down to put the Pacific islanders 11-6 ahead.

Minutes later winger Afata So'oalo won a sprint to a long kick ahead. With the Japanese defence in disarray, So'oalo slipped the ball to Leaega bursting throuhis left, who dived over under the posts. The burly full-back converted his ownand suddenly Japan were trailing 18-6.

With the rain easing and the sun coming out for the second half Japan began at the Samoan defence with centres Yukio Motoki and Terunori Masuho findingaps but they were denied by some last-gasp defending.

Masuho was stopped less than a metre from the line during an intense spell oanese driving early in the second-half. Hirose closed the deficit with another palty but Samoa came back and in the 59th minute So'oalo took the ball on the to run through the Japanese defence and go over for a try. Leaega converted.


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Lam went over for another try four minutes later but it was disallowed for a pufrom Brendan Reidy on Hiroyuki Tanuma as he lay in the ground which was spted by a linesman.

As Japan began to wilt So'oala and Lima both ran in tries in the dying minutesrub salt into the Japanese wounds. Samoa's win was sweet revenge after beinbeaten by Japan in the Pacific Rim tournament earlier in the year.


Match Reports

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New Zealand 45 - Tonga 9

Venue: Bristol-Ashton GateReferee:D. Bevan Attendance: 22,000Date: 03 Oct 1999

Giant winger Jonah Lomu, the star of the last World Cup, scored two tries as NewZealand recovered from a poor start to swamp rank outsiders Tonga 45-9 in thGroup B match inn Bristol.

In the first full international between the two countries, Lomu stood out from a mediocre All Blacks performance as he powered over for a try in each half. NeZealand captain

Taine Randell admitted his side would have to show a massive improvement wthey face England at Twickenham next Saturday. "We expected to do a hell of better but we knew the Tongans would be really fired up for this one," said thenumber eight, sporting a number of bruises and abrasions on his face. "We hava quite a few things to work on throughout our game before we play England wlooked very impressive against Italy yeterday.

"We were pretty rusty at the start when the Tongans came at us with everythingwe stuck to our game-plan and got it together at the end." The World Cup favoites looked anything but world beaters in a scrappy first 60 minutes, made worswindy and wet conditions, as the Tongans disrupted their rhythm with a tough,well-organised performance. England will have seen little to worry them in the Blacks' sloppy display against a team quoted at 250-1 by bookmakers to win ttournament. New Zealand went into half-time leading just 16-9 but they finallyfound their form in the final quarter of the match, running in four tries, as the Tgans began to tire.

Twenty of their points came from the boot of fly-half Andrew Mehrtens who strufour penalties and four conversions. Josh Kronfeld, Norm Maxwell, Byron Kellher were the other try-scorers.

Tonga, though, rarely threatened to cross the New Zealand line, setting out insto play a spoiling, defensive game with damage limitation clearly uppermost itheir minds. Full-back Siua Taumalolo scored all their points with three penalti


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The two teams squared up before kick-off as the All Blacks unveiled their newmore aggressive 'Haka', the traditional Maori war-cry while Tonga, facing them yards away, performed their own dance of 'Ikale Tahi'.

New Zealand took just seven minutes to open their World Cup account when Lomu cut in from the wing and strolled under the posts for his 18th internationtry after a neat inside pass from fly-half Andrew Mehrtens. Mehrtens made no take with the conversion and then added a penalty eight minutes later to put thBlacks 10-0 in front.

Tonga, buoyed by their 20-16 win over France in June, were expected to take aggressive approach against a country they resent for 'poaching' a number oftop players - including Lomu - and for refusing to play them at full Test level.

The Pacific Islanders maintained their discipline in a tight opening half hour asmuch-vaunted All Blacks struggled to impose themselves.

Full-back Siua Taumalolo closed the gap to four points with two penalties midwthrough the half. The All Blacks were clearly rattled by their powerful, well-orgised opponents, and their play became increasingly scrappy as the half wore o

The normally unflappable Mehrtens even missed two fairly straightforward penties before converting his second from four attempts in the 33rd minute. But moments later Taumalolo struck his third to close the gap to 13-9 before Mehrstruck again to restore the All Blacks seven-point lead.

And the fly-half added his fourth five minutes after the interval before Lomu budown the right wing for his second try of the match and open the floodgates. Kfeld, Maxwell and Kelleher all went over in quick succession to put a flatteringgloss on a disappointing performance.


Match Reports

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Scotland 29 - South Africa 46

Venue: MurrayfieldReferee: C. Hawke Attendance: 57,612 Date: 03 Oct 1999

Holders South Africa survived a mighty scare on Sunday as they overturned ahalf-time deficit to beat Scotland 46-29 in their opening Group A match of thetournament at Murrayfield.

Scotland led 16-13 at the interval but five second-half tries, helped by some unforced Scottish errors, ensured the Springboks made a winning start to the defence of their crown.

Scotland haven't beaten the Springboks since 1969 and had conceded 147 potheir last three matches against them at Murrayfield.

But the home side started in sprightly fashion and two Kenny Logan penaltieseither side of one from South African fly-half Jannie de Beer - in for the injuredHenry Honiball - gave the home side a 6-3 lead after 20 minutes.

Captain Joost van der Westhuizen's dummy sent Brendan Venter charging dthe blind side and over in the corner. De Beer duly converted and soon after aanother penalty to make it 13-6.

Logan replied in kind for 13-9 and that was the cue for Scotland to go for the jlar. Twice they were denied by fierce Springbok defence and the New ZealanMartin Leslie drove over off the back of a ruck to sent Murrayfield wild, Logancoversion making it 16-13 at half-time.

Logan converted to put Scotland on course for a major shock with the losers lito face New Zealand in the quarter-finals. But disaster struck for Scotland at tstart of the second half.

Fly-half Townsend fatally failed to find his touch and several attempts at pushiover South Africa span the ball out to Deon Kayser. The only coloured player inteam fed centre Robbie Fleck who showed superb pace before diving in at thener.


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Townsend then showed the other side of his game, chipping through for John Lewho charged towards the posts only for Kayser to make an oustanding try-savtackle.

A storming passage of play followed which finally yield penalty and Logan swerved the ball over to put Scotland 19-18 ahead. Townsend sliced another kafter 59 minutes and South Africa made them pay as replacement Ollie le Roupowered through the Scottish defence. De Beer converted and almost from thre-start South Africa scored again.

Townsend's high pass was missed by Scott Murray and Kayser pounced, spri40 metres to dive triumphantly under the posts. De Beer added the extras and Africa were suddenly 32-19 ahead and in control.

Late on Townsend slipped in Alan Tait for a consolation effort and also hit a drgoal, but further Springbok tries by Andre Venter and Van der Westhuizen seaSouth Africa's victory.


Match Reports

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Australia 57 - Romania 9

Venue: Belfast-RavenhillReferee: P. Honiss Attendance: 12,500Date: 03 Oct 1999

Back-rower Toutai Kefu grabbed a hat-trick of tries as World Cup heavyweightAustralia ran in nine to trounce Romania 57-9 in their Pool E match at soggy Ravenhill ground in Belfast.

Replacement wing Joe Roff grabbed a pair, while Tim Horan, Jason Little, subtute hooker Jeremy Paul and fullback Matthew Burke also crossed the line. Bulanded five conversions and John Eales one. The Australians dominated throuout. They were simply too quick and too slick for their outgunned opponents inwhat was little more than a training run.

The one-sided proceedings were enlivened, however, by the late incursion ontpitch of two Australian streakers - one male and one female, who earned one obiggest cheers of the night. The Wallabies led after just 90 seconds after they w5-metre scrum and the ball passed through the hands of George Gregan and Kafer to allow centre Horan to cross the line unchallenged.

Burke failed to add the extra points but Tongan-born number eight Kefu scoredsecond Australian try after seven minutes when he collected a clever reverse from Gregan. This time Burke was successful and the Aussies led 12-0. The pawas set.

The Romanians got on the board after 13 minutes with a penalty from clever scrum-half Petre Mitu after he had been obstructed but it was a rare success feastern Europeans. Kefu got his second try after 24 minutes when the Australwon another scrum and were able to push their way over the line. Burke was asuccessful with his kick.

A crossfield kick from Horan was fumbled by wing Cristian Sauan and Jason Littleturned to dot the ball down fully five minutes into time added on. This time, Burke's kick missed. The Australians made three changes at halftime and it toless than three minutes before Roff, on for Ben Tune, strolled over the line. Bukick made it 31-3.

Roff took only six more minutes to add his second try.


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The Australians survived a few uncomfortable moments before Paul scored hithird test try in the 65th minute, followed by Burke crossing three minutes laterBurke converted both. Mitu then landed a pair of late penalties for the Romanibefore Kefu completed his hat-trick with just a couple of minutes remaining. Eatook over the kicking duties and was successful.

The Aussies made a late change when flanker Matt Cockbain withdrew with aknee injury he suffered during the pre-match warm-up and was replaced by OFinegan - but the change was academic given their superiority.

The Australians, world champions in 1991, are undoubtedly one of the tournamfavourites after their Bledisloe Cup win over New Zealand five weeks ago.


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Scotland 43 -Uruguay 12

Venue: MurrayfieldReferee: S. Dickinson Attendance: 9,463Date: 08 Oct 1999

Scotland emerged victorious but with little glory from a barely-watched, error-strewn, hard-hitting encounter at Murrayfield.

It was the 69th minute before the Scots could add to their 29-6 halftime lead, Ggor Townsend cutting through a massive gap to score under the posts, and thedid little to impress, despite their attempt at expansive play.

A brutally high tackle from blindside flanker Martin Leslie proved the main talkinpoint of a first half in which Scottish handling errors generally prevented them from capitalising on their territorial advantage.

A Murrayfield crowd which the Scottish Rugby Union were hard-pressed to describe at numbering 10,000 could have expected far more than the four triewhich they witness.

The best of the four, though, was a run from the half-way line which resulted inGlenn Metcalfe crossing the line. Scrum-half Gary Armstrong, who had scoredsecond try of the match, made a break. He passed to winger Kenny Logan whbogged down by South American tacklers, batted it back. Fullback Metcalfe snatched the ball from the air and, in a move that could have been described second movement, went over in the left corner.

Leslie scored the first five-pointer of the match, the lucky beneficiary of a mauwhich pushed ten yards to the line before collapsing, although replays showedthe ball may have touched the floor before the scorer. He caused more talk, thowhen his shoulder met the face of fullback Alfonso Cardoso, knocking the lattestraight to the floor. Leslie received a yellow card for his effort and will surely bdealt with severely when the citing committee meet later in the week.

Uruguay, perceived as little more than whipping boys before this tournament, in their second battling game north of the border. Having out-battled Spain lasweekend, they came up against supposedly far superior opponents and were tainly not over-awed. If anything, Scotland were intimidated by the brutality of tSouth American tackles. Martin Leslie payed for his first half transgressions by


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being upended and Armstrong had to be tended to on the field after a massivefrom 20-stone Bristol tighthead Pablo Lemoine.

If Scotland hope to progress beyond the initial stages of this tournament they muimprove, and quickly.


Match Reports

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France 47 - Namibia 13

Venue: BordeauxReferee: C. White Attendance: 34,030Date: 08 Oct 1999

French fullback Ugo Mola celebrated a personal triumph of three tries but it simplyflattered a unimpressive French side as they beat Namibia 47-13.

The French, booed off at half-time after a series of elementary errors that hadthem just 23-13 ahead, outscored the Nambibian farmers by six tries to one brarely showed the fluency required of a World Cup winner let alone a group win

Under fire captain Raphael Ibanez was replaced with 15 minutes to go. France hextended their lead early in the second-half as recalled fly-half Christophe Lamson fed Mola on the blindside and the 26-year-old, who had only retained his pbecause Thomas Castaignede was ruled out of the tournament on Thursday, touched down for his sixth international try in the corner.

Mola, who had been dropped from fly-half following the 54-7 thrashing by the Blacks earlier this year, added a second seven minutes later after constant Frpressure told on the the weary Namibians, who had repelled the French for fivminutes on their own line.

A pumped up Mola, who had said earlier in the week that he thought he had bhis chance of keeping his place in the team, claimed his hat-trick minutes lateting in to take a pass from winger Philippe Bernat-Salles and forced his way odespite the despairing tackle of Francois van Rensburg.

Bernat-Salles, who was France's outstanding player on a forgettable night for team, fed Ntamack for the next try, his 24th in 37 tests, after Lamaison had deered a clever defence splitting pass to the winger.

It had been Bernat-Salles who had given France some breathing space at the the first-half as he profited from a Namibian error to score a try and give a dreaFrance a 23-13 half-time lead over the African minnows.

Earlier a try by winger Arthur Samuelson had rocked the French.

Bernat-Salles profited from a careless pass by Namibian fly-half Andre Zaaymto kick ahead and with no Namibian cover touch down.


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It was a cruel blow to the Namibians who had looked the French equals particuafter the 24-year-old Samuelson burst onto a van Rensburg pass to get betweFrench centres and score under the posts in the 20th minute.

French scrum-half Pierre Mignoni, who had admitted that he had not played wethe first match against Canada, squeezed over the line aided by his pack to openscoring for France - Richard Dourthe converted it.

Namibia's classy full-back turned winger Leandre van Dyk reduced the deficit fouminutes later when he ignored the booes of the French spectators to convert aalty.

However despite Dourthe converting a penalty to restore the seven point gap ithe Africans who created the better opportunities as van Dyk intercepted a pahis own half and after kicking ahead van Rensburg was only beaten to the linedespairing French boot.

The French suffered another blow when number eight Thomas Lievremont weoff injured after he had been brought to ground following a rampaging run in th26th minute - former captain Abdelatif Benazzi replaced him.


Match Reports

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England 16 - New Zealand 30

Venue: TwickenhamReferee: P. Marshall Attendance: 73,500Date: 09 Oct 1999

After performing a Haka of frightening intensity in front of the hostile Twickenhahordes, New Zealand proved that they have the substance to complement theincreasingly theatrical pre-match ritual. Outscoring the home side by three trieone, New Zealand were much more comfortable on the ball than their opponeable to create magic from scraps of possession.

For the home side, it was three missed penalties from young Jonny Wilkinsonproved crucial in allowing the All Blacks a 13-6 half-time lead. The left-footed fly-half could consider himself unlucky, though, that all three were to the left of field.

England had started well in terms of territory and possession but in the 16th ma try from Jeff Wilson that went completely against the flow of play, showed omnous signs that when the ball emerged from the even tussle up front there wasone side who looked capable of building a cohesive attack and that was New land.

Wilson's score had come from a midfield run by England's traditional nemesisJonah Lomu who scattered the England defence, giving Tana Umaga some spstretch his legs. The winger was tackled just inches from the tryline but had thpresence of mind to slip the ball to Wilson who made a great finish.

Try as they might, England could not create space for their runners and only lookedangerous when they brought back row players like Richard Hill and LawrenceDallaglio into the line. But they were missing that vital spark in midfield, that crtive impulse which opens up the field. Indeed their only try came from a kick ahby Guscott which bounced off the post for that tremendous support player PhiGlanville to sneak over for the try. The veteran centre actually outshone some omore hyped team-mates during this match with some deft handywork in the mfield.

If England needed a touch of luck to cross the tryline, there was no such reliancfate for the All Blacks' other two scores. Their second try came from England'schief tormentor of RWC '95 Jonah Lomu. After a turnover in midfield, the giantwing suddenly found himself in acres of space on the right as a gaggle of desp


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England defenders frantically tried to head the big man off at the pass. As in CTown four years ago, there was nobody in an England shirt who looked remotcapable of stopping Lomu in full flight as he skipped over the line.

The third try came from a moment of indecision by England winger Austin Heawho hesitated for a few vital seconds when he found himself as stand-in scrumat the back of a ruck. As he finally opted to pick up the ball, he was hit by All Blaprop Craig Dowd and as the ball went loose it was seized upon by replacemenByron Kelleher who wriggled out of a Dawson tackle for the try.

England never threw in the towel until the final whistle and performed impressivclose to the breakdown with the much-vaunted pack rumbling on. But when thball was moved wide, the moves often stuttered allowing All Black No.7 Josh Knfeld to snaffle the ball or simply delay it for the vital few seconds needed for hbackline to reset their defensive formations.

Now the All Blacks find themselves on the expressway to the World Cup Final.this performance it will need a team with a better all-round game than Englandrently possess to stop them.


Match Reports

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USA 25 - Romania 27

Venue: Dublin-Lansdowne RdReferee: J. Fleming Attendance: 3,000Date: 09 Oct 1999

Despite a last-minute fightback by the United States, Romania held on long ento record their first ever World Cup victory at Lansdowne Road in the Pool E cla

In the early stages of the match it had been the USA who looked the strongerwith their skipper Dan Lyle, one of the few professional players in the Eagles ranks, crashing over for a try after a protracted period of American pressure.

But not long after his try, the influential flanker left the field with a shoulder injuand was replaced by Shaun Paga. With their captain sidelined, the USA lost sof their composure that allowed the Romanians to edge their way back into thmatch.

The Eagles took the lead with a penalty from scrum-half Kevin Dalzell after just 1minutes. But that lead was to be short-lived as veteran centre Gheorghe Solombroke through for a try that went unconverted.

Immediately after the break, the USA added a new urgency to their player, powing to another try through wing Brian Hightower after some brilliant inter-handlibetween the backs and forwards.

But this score seemed to galvanise the Romanians who began playing an excetactical game, pinning the USA back into their own half with a combination of fward power and the deft kicking of No.9 Petre Mitu.

Tries from skipper Tudor Constantin and Adrian Petrache maintained Romanilead and the score as poised at 27-20 in the final frantic few minutes.

The USA mounted a furious last resort attack which resulted in fullback Kurt Sman going over in the left-hand corner but Kevin Dalzell was unable to converttry and Romania held on until the final whistle.


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Wales 64 - Japan 15

Venue: Cardiff-Millennium StadiumReferee: J. Dume Attendance: 72,500Date: 09 Oct 1999

Neil Jenkins moved level with Michael Lynagh as the joint-top points scorer in international rugby union history as Wales recorded their 10th straight Test win

Jenkins booted 19 points - eight conversions and a penalty - in the rout but conot pass Australian legend Lynagh's mark of 911.

Jenkins, along with five of his team-mates, also equalled the record for the monumber of successive victories for an individual, set by Swansea's WJ Trew between 1907 and 1910.

Rob Howley, Shane Howarth, Craig Quinnell, Peter Rogers and Chris Wyatt hall appeared in those winning sides and they all played their part in an impresperformance today.

After struggling to a 23-18 victory over Argentina last Friday, the Welsh public wanted to see their side deliver a much more convincing display this afternoon

And Graham Henry's men did just that, tearing Japan apart with an expansivewhich would have been too good for teams far better than today's opponents.

Wales scored nine tries, with Mark Taylor - who also crossed against Argentinleading the way with two.

When Japan managed to get the ball out wide in the first half they hurt their opnents, with the speedy Daisuke Ohata a constant threat. He scored their first trit was from his good work that fellow winger Pat Tuidraki went over at the end the first half.

But despite typically impressive displays from former All Blacks Jamie Joseph Graeme Bachop, the Welsh rarely looked in danger of slipping to a shock defeand the visitors fell away rapidly in the final quarter as the tournament hosts pon the points.

Wales took the game by the scruff of the neck in the first half, moving 12-0 andthen 26-7 ahead before Japan twice hit back with tries to reduce the deficit.


Match Reports

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Indeed, they were only 11 points down at the interval - a narrow margin given domination enjoyed by Henry's men in the opening period.

Bateman, who missed the opening game with a leg injury, crossed on five minrunning through Yukio Motoki's attempted tackle to touch down from close ranafter gathering Jenkins' pass.

The fly-half added the conversion and Wales were 12 points ahead in as manyutes when Howley grabbed an opportunistic try in the corner following a five mescrum.

Ohata then crossed but the hosts replied with a penalty try, given as the hostslooked set to score following another 5m scrum.

And 60 seconds later the ball went through four pairs of hands in a flowing mofrom inside the Welsh 22 before Taylor touched down following good work by Howarth.

Tuidraki's try and Keiji Hirose's penalty, to add to his conversion of Ohata's toudown, kept Japan in touch but their hopes were killed off by an efficient sec-ond-half display by Henry's men in which they scored 38 unanswered points.

The score of the match, with Howarth twice involved in a move he started 10mfrom his own line before Scott Gibbs crossed on 46 minutes, pushed the gamebeyond the Asians.

Jenkins edged ever nearer the record with a conversion and penalty before thevescent Howarth grabbed the try his efforts deserved, taking a quick tap and cing over from close range.

The Cardiff fly-half improved that score and he was on hand to boot the extrasTaylor's second, though Gibbs' pass to his fellow centre in the build-up appearbe forward.

David Llewellyn, on as a replacement for Howley, snatched a try from close raas Japan wilted in the dying stages and Jenkins' conversion left him three poinshort.

He moved level on points with Lynagh five minutes from time after improving Gareth Thomas' touchdown but that was the end of Wales' scoring and Takeomhad a late consolation effort ruled out.


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Fiji 38 - Canada 22

Venue: BordeauxReferee: E. Morrison Attendance: 27,000Date: 09 Oct 1999

Fiji set up a table-topping decider with France in Toulouse next Saturday after capitalised on Canadian errors to win their Group C match and leave the losersremote hopes of making the play-offs.

The 1987 quarter-finalists, who had try-scoring winger Marika Vunibaka sent owith a minute to go after headbutting Kyle Nichols, ran in four tries to Canada'one - leaving the Canadians winless and hoping for a big win over Namibia neweek to claim the best third-placed spot.

Earlier Vunibaka, a member of the sevens world championship-winning team whad been selected after first-choice Imanueli Tikomaimakogai went down withvirtually wrapped the match up with a try on the hour.

Despite being covered by two Canadian defenders, Vunibaka, who had been thrown an "adapt to the bigger game" gauntlet beforehand by coach Brad Johstone, escaped and ran unopposed to touch down under the posts.

However, it had been an error by Canadian fullback Scott Stewart which handFiji a try late in the first-half to help them take a 22-16 lead at the turn.

Stewart, winning his 53rd cap, dove to catch a Fijian chip but it eluded his out-stretched finger tips allowing Fero Lasagavibau to take it on the bounce and gclear. Though Lasagavibau was held back by his shirt he still touched down - ever, referee Ed Morrison had already awarded a penalty try.

The Fijians capitalised on this sudden swing by scoring another as centre ViliaSatala swooped to touch down under the posts and suddenly Canada found thselves on the rack.

The Canadians, who beat Fiji on their way to the 1991 World Cup quarter-finahad taken the lead five minutes into the match through a penalty try after Stewwas blatantly obstructed after chipping ahead to the Fijian try-line.


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Gareth Rees, who had only passed a late fitness test after twisting his ankle inSaturday's defeat by France, extended the lead but the ever resourceful Fijianback with a try.

Satala went over after Fiji opted to run a penalty just five metres out from the Cdian line.

Fiji should have scored another one minutes later after the 27-year-old Satala through the Canadian midfield but with a man outside him on the overlap he wait by chipping ahead - Stewart cleared it into touch.

Rees, the ninth-highest scorer of all time, made them pay with another penaltygive the Canadians some breathing space.

Boosted by this the 1991 World Cup quarter-finalists upped a gear and went dperately close to their second try when a kick-ahead by Winston Stanley was ojust handled over the deadball line by Fijian fullback Alfred Uluinayau before recalled centre Nicholls got to the ball.

The 32-year-old Rees, however, kicked a drop goal to reward the Canadians ftheir pressure but then Stewart's mistake let the 1987 quarter-finalists right bainto it.

Nicky Little, chosen in preference to sevens specialist Waisale Serevi at fly-haadded to the lead with a sweetly taken drop goal shortly after half-time but themissed a kickable penalty.


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South Africa 47 - Spain 3

Venue: MurrayfieldReferee: P. Honiss Attendance: 4,769Date: 10 Oct 1999

It took the arrival of two of South Africa's top players to help a second string tedown Spain by a semi-respectable score, finally running out 47-3 winners in frof a tiny Murrayfield crowd.

Coach Nick Mallett can hardly have been pleased by what he saw from the sidwhich was held scoreless for the first 29 minutes of this match-up. In the final minutes, Mallett brought on Test captain Joost van der Westhuizen and No.8 BSkinstad to try and end the comedy of errors that was embarrassing South Af

Last time Spain played at Murrayfield, in November last year, they were on thewrong end of an 85-3 scoreline against Scotland. Despite the pundits forecastleast for South Africa 100 points, Spain held firm until No.8 Andre Vos crawledover after losing his footing just short of the line for the first try.

Breyton Paulse set up the second try only three minutes later. Collecting a pooclearance he rushed through a gap in the Spanish defence, drew the full-back apassed to scrum-half Werner Swanepoel who had no one in front of him to stop htouching down.

The Spaniards should have gone in front after only 11 minutes when the SoutAfricans gave away a penalty in front of the posts but second choice fly-half AEtxeberria hooked his kick wide.

Without captain and No.8 Alberto Malo, who was literally forced to leave the fiewith a knee injury early on, the plucky Spaniards were overwhelmed in the scruHowever, they made the most of the ball when they found space to run. FullbaFrancisco Puertas was ready to run it whenever he got the chance and he neapaid for his courage when he was hit by the giant backrow Krynauw Otto. It wanearly five minutes before Puertas was able to get to his feet.

South Africa's superior forward strength told in the second-half and within ten mutes Voss scored his second, when the Springbok pack brushed the Spanish aon their own line after only ten minutes. South Africa was awarded a penalty trthe 70th minute when the Spanish pack was again in trouble.


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Courageous Spanish defending refused to bend in the dying minutes and in ththe only option was for Vos to kick over the defence for Peter Muller to score teasiest of tries.

Bobby Skinstad got his name on the score sheet when the South African's gopushover try in injury time, but substitute kicker Ferran Velazco got the biggescheer of the evening from the sparse crowd when he converted a penalty in theminute to put the Spaniards on the scoreboard.


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Argentina 32 - Samoa 16

Venue: LlanelliReferee: W. Erickson Attendance: 11,000Date: 10 Oct 1999

A brilliant second-half kicking performance by Gonzalo Quesada saw Argentinovercome a 13-point deficit for a crucial 32-16 win over Samoa in a rain-swepGroup D match.

The 25-year-old fly-half struck seven penalties and a drop goal to add to a first hpenalty as the Pumas came from 16-3 down at half-time to all but make sure oplace in the play-offs.

The Argentinian, nicknamed 'Speedy Gonzales' because of the length of time takes with his kicks, was composure itself as he slotted nine of his ten attempthe posts. His deadly accuracy saw the Pumas make a remarkable recovery match the big-hitting Samoans threatened to run away with as they adapted bto the heavy rain that made handling and footwork difficult.

Allejandro Allub scored Argentina's only try - their first of the World Cup - whenthe burly lock barged over from close range in the 66th minute.

Just 20 minutes earlier, the Pacific islanders seemed to have a World Cup plaplace in their sights after a try by flanker Junior Paramore and two penalties aconversion from full-back Silao Leaega gave them a 13-point cushion at the turound.

In the first half, the Pumas, narrowly beaten 23-18 by Wales in the World Cup tain-raiser, spurned a golden chance to open the scoring in the 11th minute wcentre Eduardo Simone found a gap in the Samoan defence. In a two-on-one tion a try seemed a certainty but with a clear run to the line from 10 yards wingDiego Albanese spilled a simple pass from Simone.

With the rain clealy affecting the players' handling and footing, the first points the match did not arrive until the 19th minute when Leaega slotted a penalty frwide on the left.

The Samoans went 10-0 in front soon afterwards when powerhouse centre Va'aTuigamala punched a hole though the Argentinian midfield to give Paramore aclear run under the posts.


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Quesada reduced the deficit with a penalty before Leaega responded with twohis own to give Samoa the edge heading into the second period. But it was a dent story after the break as Gonzalez made the most of the Samoans' increasill-discipline with as good a kicking performance as any seen in the tournamenfar.


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Italy 25 - Tonga 28

Venue: LeicesterReferee: D. Mchugh Attendance: 10,244Date: 10 Oct 1999

The Italian side was inconsolable at Welford Road tonight after an injury time drop-goal from Sateki Tu'ilupotu snatched a 28-25 win for Tonga, when an 80 minute penalty from Diego Dominguez looked to have earnt Italy a draw.

The Tongans started the game much the better side with Sililo Martens marshathe game from scrum-half. Taufahema and Tu'ipulotu both scored first half trieTonga went into the break 18-12 up, Diego Dominguez's four penalties keepinEuropeans in the contest.

In the second half the Italian pack took control of the game with captain Giovanespearheading his side's recovery. Wing Vacarri made a number of telling breakdid the powerful centre Stoica. The Tongan discipline began to slip and Domingupunished them with a second-half penalty before hooker Moscardi crossed forwhich took the Italians into the lead.

But with 10 minutes, left Tonga launched a series of attacks which finally brokebrave Italian defence and Fatani plundered what appeared to be a match winntry with 5 minutes left. Little did he, or anyone else at Welford Road know whadrama was still to come.


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Ireland 3 - Australia 23

Venue: Dublin-Lansdowne RdReferee: C. Thomas Attendance: 49,250Date: 10 Oct 1999

For all the intensity of the forward exchanges, this match was ultimately a tremdous anti-climax after England's thriller with New Zealand.

Australia rarely got going and with Matthew Burke under performing with his goal-kicking they failed to pull away from Ireland until Tim Horan and Ben Tuncrossed for second half tries.

Ireland, despite the work rate of talisman Keith Wood and later Eric Miller, nevreally looked like challenging for the game. They were bereft of ideas at half-band in the midfield lacked the penetration to get behind the big tackling HoranHerbert.

That Ireland were restricted to two shots at goal and one half-hearted drop-goattempt, well demonstrates Australia's dominance. But the Wallabies knockedconsistently and conceded several penalties which prevented them finding anypattern.

Australia's No.8 Toutai Kefu had an outstanding match and when his team stubled, he was invariably on hand to clear up or bring some urgency into their ating play. The Australians suffered several injuries which added to the general disruption, hooker Phil Kearns and his replacement Jeremy Paul left the field, did skipper Joan Eales.

Eales will know that his side will have to improve by 50% to have a chance of wning this tournament. Ireland face the reality that a well under-par Australia westill 20 points better.


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Canada 72 - Namibia 11

Venue: ToulouseReferee: A. Cole Attendance: 28,000Date: 14 Oct 1999

Winless Canada, determined to go home with at least one win, ended their Groupcampaign with a 72-11 thrashing of Namibia - a personal triumph for fly-half Gareth Rees who ended his fourth World Cup with a 100 percent record in kicgoal and 49 points.

While Rees and his side, whose aspirations to make the quarter-final play-offsnosedived with Wales' defeat by Samoa earlier on Thursday, could feel proud their display, in which they ran in nine tries. The one sour note was the sendinof flanker Danny Baugh for stamping early in the second-half.

The Africans, who themselves were fortunate to end with a full complement ofplayers after Arthur Samuelson's deliberate high tackle led to hooker Mark Canal having to go off, reacted to Baugh's send off by scoring a try through captaQuinn Hough, his 10th try in 73 appearances.

The Canadians, who made the quarter-finals in 1991, dampened down any hopa Namibian comeback by running in another try as a terrible foul-up in the Africdefence led to Kyle Nichols running in his second touch down.

However, it was replacement fullback Bobby Ross who scored their best try, fining off a seven man move with a spectacular catch from Winston Stanley's flicked-on pass - Stanley added another minutes later and Rod Snow got his seof the evening on fulltime with Stanley running in a final one in injury-time.

Namibia's player of the tournament Leandre van Dyk had opened the score wthird minute penalty but Canada hit back as their find of the competition, scrum-half Morgan Williams, burrowed over from five metres out for his third trin the group stage.

The Africans self-destructed two minutes later as fullback Glovin van Wyk's pawas intercepted by centre Kyle Nichols who raced away to touch down under posts. The 32-year-old Rees, playing probably his swansong match in the WoCup, and van Dyk exchanged penalties before Canadian veteran Al Charron btwo tackles to get their third try and his seventh in 54 appearances for his cou


Match Reports

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Australia 55 - USA 19

Venue: LimerickReferee: A. Watson Attendance: 13,000Date: 14 Oct 1999

Wing Scott Staniforth marked his test debut with a brace of tries as Australia trounced the United States 55-19 in their World Cup Group E match at ThomoPark on Thursday.

It was the third straight win of the tournament for the Wallabies, who finished otop of the pool. Going into the match already assured of a quarter-final spot, the Australians fielded a second-string side that was still far too good for the gameoutgunned American part-timers.

The Australians will now play either Wales, Samoa or Argentina in the quarterCardiff on October 23, while the United States failed to break a World Cup winlstreak that stretches back to 1987 and will go home having lost all three of thematches in the tournament.

Fly-half Stephen Larkham, hooker Michael Foley, wing Matthew Burke, flankeTiaan Strauss, fullback Chris Latham and scrum-half Chris Whitaker also scortries for the Aussies, while Burke kicked five conversions and a penalty and JoRoff a conversion in what was the first international to be played in Limerick fo101 years.

The Americans, who trailed by only 12 points at half-time, responded with a trJuan Grobler, converted by Kevin Dalzell, three penalties from Dalzell and a dgoal from David Niu.

Larkham opened the scoring after just three minutes when the Australians burdown the middle. Larkham, who had started the move, backed up to take a pafrom Jim Williams just before the line. Burke's conversion made it 7-0. The Autralians then survived some uncomfortable moments on defence close to theirline before Burke's 13th-minute penalty made the margin 10 points. Niu, a formAustralian rugby league player, got the first points for the Eagles with a drop gafter 15 minutes but the Australians stormed back with a sparkling passing moment that saw 21-year-old wing Staniforth mark his debut with a fine try in the ner. Burke's kick made it 17-3.


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The Americans were incensed when lock Alec Parker got over the line but waruled by referee Andrew Watson not to have touched down. Good work by Whitaker, then Latham, kept out the Americans as the Wallabies scrambled indefence but wing Grobler finally scored in the corner just a couple of minutes before halftime - and Dalzell converted. The Australian lead was reduced to sepoints - and the Wallabies had conceded their first try of the tournament.

Five minutes into injury time, the Australians got a pushover try to Foley, althouBurke's kick missed. The Wallabies began the second half in similar vein. FirsLarkham's clever kick ahead set up Staniforth's second try and then, after lockBowman had a touchdown disallowed, Burke went over in the opposite cornermake it 34-10. The game was already over as a contest.

A trio of Dalzell penalties briefly lifted American hearts but former Springbok Strauss scored the sixth try for the Aussies with 12 minutes remaining and Buagain converted to make it 41-19.

Latham's try with seven minutes and Whitaker's in injury time rubbed salt into thAmerican wounds and eight tries to one was a harsh indication of the gap in clabetween the teams.


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New Zealand 101 - Italy 3

Venue: HuddersfieldReferee: J. Fleming Attendance: 22,032Date: 14 Oct 1999

A rampaging second string New Zealand ran over hapless Italy 101-3 in their Group B clash here on Thursday to record the highest score of the tournamendate.

With only four players from the team that beat England on show, New Zealandfirmed that no matter what team they put out, they are a match for anyone.

Full-back Jeff Wilson wrote himself into the All Black record books by running three tries to make himself the country's highest try scorer, overtaking the 35 scby legendary winger John Kirwan. "It was really exciting for me. My mum was the stand. To be up there with people like John Kirwan is something special. Tguys got excited and it was all ours. It was pleasure to be out there with them,"Wilson.

Out-half Tony Brown, playing in his seventh Test scored more points - 36 - thahad in his previous six appearances added together. He also scored his first tryAll Black jersey when he intercepted a loose pass in the first-half.

Also stamping his authority was Jonah Lomu, the destroyer of England, who showed he was as good a forward as he was back. In the dying minutes of thehalf Lomu came into the scrum, picked up the ball like a true number eight andcharged over from 10 meters out, dragging three Italians over with him. In the ond-half he collected the ball on the wing and ran half the length of the field with no one to stop him piling on the misery for a shell-shocked Italian side.

It also made Lomu the greatest try scorer in World Cup history, moving him ahof previous record hold Rory Underwood of England. Lomu, clearly with more come, has now scored 12 World Cup tries.

Italy had hoped to test the All Blacks and prove that they derserved their placethe new Six Nations next year. Instead, they found themselves totally outclasseNew Zealand's second fifteen. Flanker Dylan Mika, captain Taine Randall, DaGibson, Scott Robinson, Christian Cullen, Glen Osborne and hooker Mark Hamett all went over for tries.


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Italy's best moment came in the opening minute of the match when they manato get to within less than a meter of the New Zealand line thanks to a clever atlaunched by full-back Matt Pini but then they wasted the opportunity by giving away a penalty.

The desperate Italians tried to halt that New Zealand attack by going offside wthe opportunity arose but Scottish referee Jim Fleming was having none of it. Inend he warned the Italians that he would send off the next offender if it continu

Italy's only points came from the boot of their kicking machine Diego Dominguwhen New Zealand were caught going over the ball early in the first-half.


Match Reports

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Wales 31 - Samoa 38

Venue: Cardiff-Millennium StadiumReferee: E. Morrison Attendance: 72,000Date: 14 Oct 1999

Samoa pulled off the biggest upset in the 1999 World Cup when they sent hosnation Wales spiralling to a 38-31 defeat in a dramatic Group D match here onThursday.

In a carbon-copy of their stunning 16-13 defeat to the Pacific islanders in the 1finals, Wales were punished for sloppy defending as the Samoans ran in five trsilence the 72,000 capacity home crowd.

Graham Henry's side laid siege to the Samoan line in the dying minutes but herodefence kept them at bay, sparking scenes of wild celebrations amongst the Sans at the final whistle.

The defeat overshadowed the achievement of Wales fly-half Neil Jenkins whowrote himself into the record books by becoming the greatest points scorer in history of international rugby. "We are very disappointed," said Wales coach Gham Henry. "We made far too many mistakes but I think massive credit and resshould be given to the Samoans. They played superbly - often with limited possion. "It's not the end of the world and we will learn from the experience. We juhave to take it on the chin."

Samoan captain Pat Lam, whose side had performed so poorly in Sunday's 32-defeat by Argentina, said memories of 1991 had fired his side. "This is a very cial day," said the giant number eight who plays with English club Northampto"You guys had all written us off and people gave us no respect, but we played a lot of pride, a hell of alot of pride. "The mood in the build-up to the match reminded us of 1991 and all the good luck faxes we received from back homereally inspired us."

The result means that the two teams will have to wait until the end of Argentinmatch against Japan here on Saturday before the places for the quarter-finalsthe quarter-final play-offs will be known.

Wales should still go straight to the quarter-finals - probably against Australia backat the Millennium Stadium - provided Argentina, who are expected to beat Japdo not score more than 70 points.


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A day of Welsh celebrations seemed to lie ahead when Jenkins, level with Australia's Michael Lynagh on 911 points before the match, posted a simple conveafter Wales were awarded a penalty try early on to write himself into the recorbooks.

The 72,000-capacity crowd in the Millennium Stadium exploded in delight andstood to hail the 28-year-old British Lion from the Welsh valleys. But the celebtions were short-lived as the Welsh crowd realised that their team had a major bon their hands against the crash-tackling Pacific Islanders.

It was a cruel irony that the normally metronomic Jenkins missed three penaltand a conversion that would have given Wales victory. On a day of mixed fortufor the man they call the 'Ginger Monster', it was also his mistake early in the ond period which led directly to Samoa's fourth try and restored their lead to spoints.

Wales trailed the Samoans 24-21 at half-time following two breakaway tries byfly-half Stephen Bachop in the dying minutes and an earlier close range effort flock Lio Falaniko - all converted by full-back Silao Leaega. But after levelling thscores with a penalty three minutes after the turnaround, Jenkins gifted the Saans another try as the Welsh surrendered the lead again.

His lazy pass was intercepted by Pat Lam who ran virtually the entire length ofield to score. Leaega converted to restore Samoa's seven point lead. Wales, thwere awarded a second penalty try after the Samoans collapsed the scrum a out as the Welsh drove forward.

Jenkins converted to make it 31-31 but two minutes later the Samoans went spoints clear again when Leaega muscled over in the right corner after good woBrian Lima. Leaga converted himself to seal another historic win.


Match Reports

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England 101 - Tonga 10

Venue: TwickenhamReferee: W. Erickson Attendance: 73,000Date: 15 Oct 1999

Fly-half Paul Grayson reclaimed his English record for points scored in a matcand his team confirmed their place in the quarter-final play-offs of the World Cscoring 13 tries in a 101-10 procession against Tonga at Twickenham.

England were given a helping hand when Tonga's prop Ngalu Taufo'ou was sethree minutes before half-time for a massive punch, which floored flanker RichHill.

Clive Woodward's side were already in control at 24-10 but against 14 men it wno contest in the second half and England were able to give several players aahead of next Wednesday's match at home against either France of Fiji.

Grayson surpassed Jonny Wilkinson's individual scoring record of 32, set just weeks ago, by kicking 36 points. He hit 16 successful kicks out of 17, missinghis first conversion.

Hooker Phil Greening, Dan Luger, Austin Healey, Will Greenwood and Jerry Gcott all scored two tries apiece for England. Greenwood's brace came in the sof just two minutes.

The only worry for England was an injury to scrum-half Matt Dawson who wasforced off just before the Taufo'ou dismissal. The Tongan saw red after full-bacMatt Perry was tackled dangerously in mid-air. A melee ensued which ended Taufo'ou running 20 metres to deck Hill. He was red-carded by Australian refeWayne Erickson to leave the Tongans facing an impossible task.

Two early Grayson penalties settled England, who knew they had to win the mto stay in the competition following their defeat by the All Blacks. Scrum-half Dawson then scampered over to score after 13 minutes but Tonga's winger TeTiueti put Grayson off his conversion and then from the re-start scorched into corner past Perry for a try converted by Sateki Tu'ipulotu. Pegged back at 11-7Grayson restored England's superiority with two more penalties.


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Tu'ipulotu stroked over another penalty for the Tongans but England scored agwhen Healey burst through the defence and hooker Greening plunged over to down.

Grayson converted and England were 24-10 up before the match boiled over end of the half.

England took full advantage of their spare man and further converted tries by wLuger and Perry gave them a 38-10 half-time lead.

The second half was always going to be a formality and Will Greenwood, still fing his way back after being injured in the opening win over Italy, danced throufor England's fifth and six tries to bring up the half-century.

Healey, playing at scrum-half in Dawson's place, and Hill added further effortsthe biggest cheer was reserved for 34-year-old centre Guscott, who was only ing because of an injury to Phil de Glanville. England's prince of centres gatherquick Healey tap penalty and ran fully 80 metres to dive majestically under theposts.

Another jinking Healey effort was converted by Grayson to make the score 80and the stand-in scrum-half then generously gave Greening his second try of match which allowed Grayson to equal Wilkinson's mark, set against the Italia

Luger and Guscott completed their braces in the dying minutes to take Englanover the century of points, just as group-mates New Zealand had on Thursdayagainst Italy.


Match Reports

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South Africa 39 - Uruguay 3

Venue: Glasgow-Hampden PkReferee: P. Marshall Attendance: 3,500Date: 15 Oct 1999

Centre Brendan Venter was sent off for stamping as reigning champions SouthAfrica suffered more World Cup embarrassment in an unconvincing 39-3 win over amateurs Uruguay here at Hampden Park on Friday.

Venter was given his marching orders in first-half injury time of a scrappy, ill-tepered Group A contest after referee Peter Marshall spotted him stamping his bdown on a Uruguayan head at a ruck.

The incident was the main talking point of a poor match which saw the world champions struggle to impose themselves on unsophisticated but tough oppowho only qualified for the finals with a narrow victory over Morocco.

The Springboks, tipped by many to become the first country to win the World Ctwice, scored just 12 points in the second-half in one of their worst performancethe modern era. When the final whistle it was the South Americans, not their cquerors, who were hugging each other and punching the air in delight.

Mallett's side, still reeling from the avalanche of criticism that followed their woful display against Spain, looked poor in almost every department as they laboto break down the South American part-timers.

It took the Springboks half an hour to register their first points against the Spaand it was a similar story against the Uruguayans as they drew a blank for the28 minutes of the second period.

There was precious little for the 3,000 spectators inside the home of Scottish fball to cheer about and still less for Mallett who spent much of the second halfshaking his head in disbelief at what he was seeing.

The South Africans' growing frustration led to a number of flare-ups, off-the-baincidents and basic handling errors as the Uruguayans took the fight to their illuous opponents.


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The Springboks ran in five tries from Robbie Fleck, van der Westhuizen, DeonKayser and substitute Albert van den Berg (two) as they headed towards a preble victory and a quarter-final in Paris.

Fly-half Jannie de Beer, recalled to the starting line-up after the late withdrawaHenry Honiball, struck two penalties and four conversions for a personal tally 14.

The Springboks took the lead after seven minutes when centre Robbie Fleck slipped through a gap in the Uruguayan defence. Then van der Westhuizen daunder the posts for the Springboks second try.

De Beer converted and slotted a second penalty before Uruguay got their onlypoints on the board when Diego Aguirre posted an excellent 40-metre penalty

Winger Deon Kayser added a third try six minutes before the break to give theSpringboks a comfortable if unconvincing lead. But that score was to be SouthAfrica's last points for 35 minutes as their game reached new lows after the br

Substitute forward van den Berg had barely been on the field for a minute whenfinished off a rare flowing move in the right corner. Van den Berg, who had notscored in any of his six previous appearances for his country, raced clear for hsecond try minutes later.

The South Africans won but at the final whistle it was 40-year-old Uruguayan catin Diego Ormaechea, playing in his last match for his country, who was smil


Match Reports

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Ireland 44 - Romania 14

Venue: Dublin-Lansdowne RdReferee: B. Campsall Attendance: 33,000 Date: 15 Oct 1999

Captain Dion O'Cuinneagain scored his first international try and fullback ConO'Shea touched down twice to guide Ireland to a 44-14 victory over Romania their World Cup Group E match at half-empty Lansdowne Road on Friday nigh

The win sealed Ireland second place in Group E behind unbeaten Australia anearned them a quarter-final play-off in Lens, France, on Wednesday.

The Irish will play either Samoa, Argentina or Canada depending on the result Saturday's Japan-Argentina match.

Romania were eliminated after one win and two losses in the group stage.

Flanker Andy Ward and scrum-half Tom Tierney also scored tries for Ireland, wfly-half Eric Elwood kicked five conversions and two penalties for a personal taof 16 points - and a flawless night of goal-kicking. Replacement Brian O'Driscolanded a late drop goal.

Ireland lost prop Peter Clohessy (back) and wing Justin Bishop (hamstring) a ple of hours before kickoff but their side was still strong enough to hold off a comitted Romanian combination who were beaten but far from disgraced.

South African-born back-rower O'Cuinneagain, a late inclusion in a half-strengIreland team, scored his side's first try after just six minutes - finishing off a sup50-metre passing movement. Elwood converted to make it 7-0.

Elwood added a 13th-minute penalty and when Ward burst through some feebdefence two minutes later - and his try was converted by Elwood - it was 17-0the Irish were in control.

Romanian scrum-half Petre Mitu landed penalties in the 18th and 25th minutebefore O'Shea grabbed the third Irish try in the 33rd minute after the ball had brecycled intelligently.

Elwood again converted and then landed an injury-time penalty to make it 27-the break.


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O'Shea's second try came five minutes into the second half when he collected apass from Elwood to go over - and the fly-half again converted.

When Romania lost inspirational skipper Tudor Constantin to injury their hopehad all but evaporated.

Mitu landed a third penalty in the 57th minute when it might have been smartetake a tap and the Irish immediately went up to the other end for Tierney to scamper over the line. Elwood again converted.

The job done, Ireland coach Warren Gatland was able to pull off O'Shea and Tney with 20 minutes still remaining. Elwood, too, left the field early with a cut he- a sad finish after such an influential performance.

The Romanians got a consolation try with five minutes left when wing CristianSauan scampered over in the right corner after his teammates used quick hanafter a five-metre scrum win.

Ireland still had the last word, however, with O'Driscoll's injury-time drop goal.


Match Reports

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France 28 - Fiji 19

Venue: ToulouseReferee: P. O'Brien Attendance: 36,000 Date: 16 Oct 1999

A last minute try by winger Christophe Dominici gave France a 28-19 win over and landed them the Group C crown - Fiji finish runners-up.

An error ridden match in which the French, who led 13-3 at the break, scored ttries to Fiji's one was enlivened by a superb touchdown from Fijian fullback AlfUluinayau to get his side back into the match in the second-half.

The match descended into farce with 15 minutes to go as referee Paddy O'Briwho had a poor game, awarded France eight successive scrums five metres obooked all three of the Fijian front row for purposefully turning the scrums befofinally awarding the French a penalty try.

Fijian fly-half Nicky Little, who had been preferred to sevens legend Waisale Sevi because coach Brad Johnstone believed he exerted more control, had redthe gap to just seven points four minutes into the second period with a sweetlystruck penalty.

Uluinayau then produced his magic taking the pass from scrum-half Jacob Raand broke three feeble tackles, sidestepping fullback Ugo Mola, to run it in frommetres out for his second international try and turned the volatile French crowagainst their side.

Five minutes later the Fijians, quarter-finalists in 1987, were ahead as Little coverted another penalty from in front of the posts and added another to give hisa six point lead - however, the French nosed ahead with the penalty try.

The French, who have been unconvincing so far, scored one try in the first-halead the Fijians into the break - but O'Brien's poor performance had deprived bsides of a try apiece.

Christophe Juillet, who was dropped for the Namibia match but recalled for thone because Thomas Lievremont was injured, thrust himself over the line fromthree metres out after Stephane Castaignede fed him the pass.


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France had started shakily, dropping balls and knocking on, and missed a goldeopportunity in the fourth minute when with an overlap Richard Dourthe delayetoo long and Viliame Satala was able to tackle Dominici short of the line.

Dourthe's penalty, however, settled them down and a wonderful passing move wLamaison missing out Dourthe to create the overlap broke down when Ugo Mpassed forward to Dominici - another schoolboy type forward pass by PhilippeBernat-Salles halted another French move.

Little missed an earlier opportunity to level the scores at 3-3 when his penalty front of the posts, albeit a long way out, went wide.

Fiji were fortunate to have 15 players on the pitch as number eight Alivereti Maceletu, who had already been shown the yellow card for blocking captain Rhael Ibanez, layed out the hooker with his forearm.

Ibanez's tough first-half got worse as O'Brien booked him mistakenly for buttingiant Fijian prop Joeli Veitayaki when in fact it was Christian Califano.

O'Brien infuriated the French when having awarded a try to Dominici followingpenalty he changed his mind declaring that the French had initially said they wgoing for goal - Dourthe converted the penalty.

The Kiwi balanced out his decisions by anulling a genuine Fijian try when SetareTawake went over - ruling that he'd knocked on although it was French fullbacUgo Mola who had lost the ball in a tackle.


Match Reports

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Scotland 48 - Spain 0

Venue: MurrayfieldReferee: C. Thomas Attendance: 17,593Date: 16 Oct 1999

Scotland booked their place in the World Cup quarter-final play-offs with a 48-victory over Spain in the final group A match at a near-empty Murrayfield Stadion Saturday.

Just 17,500 fans were there to see the Five Nations champions run up seven tset up a clash for a place in the last eight back at the 67,000 capacity Murrayfnext Wednesday against either Wales, Samoa, or Argentina.

Scotland's points came from two tries from Cammie Mather, one apiece for ShaLongstaff, James McLaren, Cameron Murray and Duncan Hodge.

The Scots were also awarded a penalty try while fly-half Hodge struck five consions and a penalty for a personal points tally of 18.

Spain, twice thrashed by Scotland in the World Cup qualifiers, exit the competitiwithout a win following their earlier defeats by Uruguay and South Africa.

The Spanish, written off as whipping boys before the tournament, have impreswith their courage - particularly against South Africa - but they headed for Edinburgh airport without even a try to their name.

Scotland, who lost their opener 46-29 to South Africa and were unimpressive 47-12 win over Uruguay, needed a handsome victory to rouse the flagging intein their campaign amongst the Scottish public.

Huge blocks of seats were empty as the players took the field but the flat, echatmosphere did not appear to affect the Scots who tore into their opponents frthe start.

Hodge put the Scots in front with an early penalty before the Scots went 10-0 ahwhen the back-pedalling Spanish scrum conceded a penalty try in the 12th miIt was the third penalty try conceded by Spain's lightweight pack in the World C

Flanker Mather barged over from close range for Scotland's second try before NZeland-born left wing Longstaff raced over in the corner for a third.


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Centre McLaren scored his second try in his third match for Scotland to stretchScots' lead three minutes after the break.

Mather buried over for his second try as the Scots turned up the pressure befoMurray came bursting off the wing at an angle to run in Scotland's sixth try.

Hodge punched a hole through the increasingly creaky Spanish defence to todown under the posts in the 64th minute. Hodge converted what proved to be last points of the match as the Spanish staged a spirited rally in the final quart


Match Reports

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Argentina 33 - Japan 12

Venue: Cardiff-Millennium StadiumReferee: S. Dickinson Attendance: 47,000 Date: 16 Oct 1999

Points machine Gonzalo Quesada produced another superb kicking display to bArgentina into the World Cup knockout stages in a 33-12 win over Japan at theMillennium Stadium.

The result of the final match of the group stages means that Wales win Groupand will play Australia in the quarter-finals in Cardiff.

The Argentinians, as the best third-placed team in the five groups, will play Irelin Lens, in the quarter-final play-offs on Wednesday.

Samoa will play Scotland at Murrayfield on the same day after finishing seconthe group.

Fly-half Gonzalo Quesada, the World Cup's leading points scorer, struck sevepenalties while Agustin Pichot and Diego Albanese scored tries to see off the nese who leave the World Cup without a win.

Quesada has now scored 66 of his team's 83 points in the competition after kic18 points in the 23-18 defeat to Wales and 27 in the 32-16 win over Samoa.

The match boiled down to a battle of the the goalkickers with Quesada gettingbetter of his opposite man Keija Hirose who kicked all four of his attempts at g

Quesada made amends for an earlier miss when he put the Pumas 6-0 in with penalties in quick succession.

Hirose reduced the deficit with a penalty before Argentinian scrum-half Pichotburst down the blindside for a superb try in the left corner.

Quesada missed a difficult conversion from the touchline but moments later hestretched the lead to 14-3 with his third penalty before Hirose hit back with hisond.


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Quesada soon added another three points but Japan, who won the last meetinbetween the countries, a 44-29 triumph in Tokyo last year, kept in contention wHirose made it 17-9 just before half-time.

The pattern of tit-for-tat penalties continued after the break with the two goal-kers both adding three points to their totals in the first five minutes.

Quesada, nicknmaed Speedy Gonzalez because of the lengthy time it takes hkicks, put the Pumas 23-12 in front with his sixth successful kick from eight attempts before adding another.

Winger Diego Albanese went over for a try under the posts in injury time - converted by Contepomi, who came on in the dying moments to replace Quesadaseal victory.


Match Reports

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Argentina 28 - Ireland 24

Venue: LensReferee: S. Dickinson Attendance: 22,000Date: 20 Oct 1999

Diego Albanese's late try and the deadly kicking of Gonzalo Quesada gave Artina victory over Ireland in a largely dour World Cup quarter-final play-off in Len

Albanese finished off a rare flowing back move for the only try of a match domnated by the boot to earn Argentina a quarter-final meeting with France in Dubon Sunday.

Irish fly-half David Humphreys claimed all his side's points with seven penaltieand a drop goal. But Quesada, who proved he was human by missing one penlanded seven penalties and, crucially, converted Albanese's try from the touchto edge the Argentinians 24-23 ahead with five minutes remaining.

Ireland led 15-9 at half-time and 21-9 five minutes into the second half but Qusada's kicking kept the Pumas into touch and they finished much the stronger

Humphreys landed five penalties to Quesada's three and the Argentinian fly-hwho had scored 66 of his country's 83 points in the tournament going into thismatch, was guilty of a rare penalty miss on the stroke of half-time.

In a rare outburst of open rugby, Argentinian skipper Lisandro Arbizu made a band slipped out a backhand pass to hooker Mario Ledesma. He made groundfound scrum-half Agustin Pichot who opted for a chip and chase only to be obstructed by O'Shea.

However, from the resulting five-yard scrum, Argentina claimed the first try of tgame. A miss move in the centre and swift handling created room for Diego Anese to plunge over in the corner as Bishop tried in vain to get to him.

Quesada kept his cool to curl over the conversion from the left touchline to edgArgentina into a 24-23 lead with five minutes left.

With a minute remaining Quesada landed his seventh penalty to make it 28-24the Argentinian had to survive incredible Irish pressure in the eight-and-a-half utes of added time. Time after time Irish forwards tried to drive over from closerange but the Pumas' magnificent tackling kept them out.


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England 45 - Fiji 24

Venue: TwickenhamReferee:D. Bevan Attendance: 55000Date: 20 Oct 1999

England were tested a little more than they would have liked, and incurred sevcasualties along the way, but still managed a 45-24 victory over Fiji at Twickenhand now progress to a weekend date with South Africa in Paris.

Young England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson must be the greatest injury concern ahof Sunday's quarter-final having been apparently knocked out by a high tackle fromFiji captain and hooker Greg Smith as he put Phil Greening over for a try with minutes remaining. A concussion would result in a mandatory three-week lay-

Matt Perry was forced from the field with shoulder trouble shortly before the finwhistle and Austin Healey was replaced at half-time having taken a general baing.

A half-time lead of 21-3 was more down to the fact that England, through Wilkson, chose to convert penalties rather than attempting to run or kick for the lineas the Southern Hemisphere side invariably chose to.

Penalties were traded for the first quarter of the match before a tremendous bway from wing Dan Luger put some space between the two sides in the 23rd minute. He then promptly left the field with a groin strain.

England were almost as guilty as Fiji of cynical fouling close to the line, with NBeal receiving a yellow card after half an hour for holding on to prop Daniel Roin the tackle, just yards from the try-line.

Fiji's play has progressed a long way from their familiar, flowing Sevens style bwhen given a chance by the English, they took it with abandon. Two knock-onclose to the line denied tries that could have brought Fiji level at the half but insEngland were allowed to bear down with their extra weight and discipline in thtight.

A try for Mel Nakauta in the 79th minute rounded out a period of play in whichEngland were worryingly on the back-foot, but it was too little too late.


Match Reports

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Scotland 35 - Samoa 20

Venue: MurrayfieldReferee: D. McHugh Attendance: 15,661Date: 20 Oct 1999

Scotland were on top of Samoa from start to finish but their weekend's opponethe All Blacks of New Zealand - will feel they have nothing to fear following a lacklustre 35-20 victory in front of an equally lacklustre Murrayfield crowd.

In the seventh minute of the first half, the Scots were awarded a penalty five yout and opted for the scrum. Eight long minutes of scrummaging later, refereeDavid McHugh finally gave up on a fair set-piece and gave a penalty try.

Scotland seemed determined not to fall into the trap of playing an unstructuredgame, a flaw that had been exploited in the Wales side by Samoa last weekenThey were dominant in the scrum from start to finish. The return of Doddie Weleant strength to the lineout and the kicking of fly-half Gregor Townsend was csistently to touch but the side lacked the flair that will be required should they bour any hope of putting up a fight when the All Blacks come to town on Sund

Ironically, it was the power of New Zealand-born Gordon Simpson and Martin Llie that made the difference up front for the Scots. Leslie scored the first try of match, bullocking his way over towards the end of the first half, but it was the absence of Martin Leslie and Allan Tait from the centres that lead to the back lacking bite. The Scots committed nine handling errors and turned the ball ovefour times - a record they cannot afford to match in four days time.

The Southern Hemisphere side's forward power seemed to increase considerwhen Onehunga Matauiau replaced the injured Trevor Leota at hooker after 3minutes but this was a game governed by handling errors in crucial areas.

The one highlight of a generally dour game was a drop goal from Townsend aend of the third quarter. From a ruck just in front of the 22, the ball was spun oand the Brive showman slotted the attempt over with ease.

Wing Brian Lima made a try from half-way as time ran out to close the margin15 but there were no real winners from this encounter.


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Wales 9 - Australia 24

Venue: Cardiff-Millennium StadiumReferee: C. Hawke Attendance: 72,500Date: 23 Oct 1999

Australia ended the World Cup dreams of hosts Wales on Saturday, claiming tplace in the semi-finals with a hard-earned 24-9 victory at the Millennium Stadi

Two tries by George Gregan and one from Ben Tune gave the Wallabies a deservsuccess on a poor quality pitch as Wales finally succumbed to their opponentsgreater attacking flair in front of a capacity 72,000 crowd.

In the last four next weekend at Twickenham Rod Macqueen's side, who haveceded just one try so far, will face the winner of Sunday's England-South Africquarter-final in Paris. "We're pretty happy," said Australia captain John Eales, whose side led only 10-9 at half-time. "It was very close at half-time and it wasanyone's game. But our defence held up. We've a lot of confidence in our squ

Wales' kick-king Neil Jenkins, who started the match as the new points world record holder with 927, spurned an early chance to go for goal, preferring instto find touch with a penalty on the halfway line.

Australia, who had racked up 250 points in their last six clashes with Wales, tookadvantage. Joe Roff, who had already threatened to open Australia's accouna sharp break by fly-half Stephen Larkham, created a score for scrum-half GeGregan. The Welsh defence was nowhere to be seen as Roff spurted down thflank and passed inside for Zambian-born Gregan to flop over.

Matthew Burke converted to complete the perfect start for the Wallabies.

Jenkins took his next opportunity, slotting superbly from the touchline to make7-3. Australia were dominant though and Burke immediately made it 10-3 withfirst penalty. Jenkins kept Wales within touching distance with another three-pointer as the rain began to drench the turf, provoking handling errors frAustralia in particular. And when Australia flanker David Wilson ventured offsidon the half-hour, Jenkins made it 10-9 with his third successful kick out of thre


Match Reports

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Mud patches began to appear on the surface and Wales looked the more likelscore, with winger Gareth Thomas wasting a two-man overlap in stoppage timthe end of the first half. Australia started the second half as they had the first aonly a fine Brett Sinkinson tackle denied Daniel Herbert a touchdown after a nscissors in midfield.

But Wales absorbed the pressure well and the tension was evident as the halfpoint was passed since either side had troubled the scorers. It took a momentmagic from the impressive Larkham to break the deadlock.

The fly-half took the ball from Gregan and chipped through. He was baulked byWelsh defence but Tune stormed through and beat Shane Howarth to the ballscore. Burke converted and a relieved Australia were 17-9 up with 15 minutes

Wilson and Tune were then both quickly denied tries because of knock-ons as thsouthern hemisphere side greater dynamism began to tell. This time there warain to save the Welsh and in the final minutes they struggled to get out of theirhalf.

In stoppage time it was the Australians who scored again, in highly dubiouscircumstances. Tim Horan broke several tackles but appeared to knock on andwhen the ball fell loose Gregan touched down.

New Zealand referee Colin Hawke, given the bird by the crowd for much of thematch, then infuriated them by awarding the try, which Burke converted to complete Australia's 24-9 victory.


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Argentina 26 - France 47

Venue: Dublin-Lansdowne RdReferee: D. Bevan Attendance: 40,000 Date: 24 Oct 1999

France claimed their place in the World Cup semi-finals on Sunday when theyquelled a valiant Argentina side to win a try-filled quarter-final 47-26 at Lansdowne Road.

France raced into a 17-0 lead before Argentina battled back to trail just 30-26, for the greater freshness of Jean-Claude Skrela's side to show in the final 10 mutes.

Winger Philippe Bernat-Salles and full-back Xavier Garbajosa scored two triesapiece as France touched down five times in all, with fly-half Christophe Lamailanding 22 points with the boot. France face the winners of the New Zealand-Sland quarter-final in the last four.

Argentina, for whom scrum-half Agustin Pichot was outstanding, took great crfor their fightback though and could have scored more than their two tries by Piand captain Lisandro Arbizu. Skrela's much-criticised team showed none of thearly tournament rustiness as first Carbajosa and then Bernat-Salles, after a ting move, touched down to help France into a 17-0 lead after 12 minutes.

Argentina, surprise conquerors of Ireland in the quarter-final play-offs, were stinto action and Pichot, at fault for the first French try, nipped over down the bliside to reduce the arrears. Gonzalo Quesada converted and then put over anopenalty to make it 17-10.

But Emile Ntamack restored French dominance immediately with a score aftecharging down Arbizu's kick. With Lamaison kicking five successful kicks out ofive France led 27-10 before Queseda's second penalty and then a fine conveArbizu try, following a missed tackle by Ntamack, hauled Argentina back to witseven points.

The second period began in bruising fashion with the Argentines clearly pumpup by their fightback. Argentine prop Mauricio Reggiardi was substituted by Argentina coach Alex Wyllie immediately after smashing a forearm into RicharDourthe's face, for which he earned a yellow card.


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Quesada and Lamasion exchanged penalties and both sides went close to scwith the darting Pichot in particular catching the eye. But Argentina suffered a hammer blow on the hour when Queseda, the tournament's leading points scowith 102, was forced off injured.

Trailing 30-23 the South Americans dug deep and began to dominate, with Picat the centre of everything. Replacement kicker Felipe Contepomi cut the gapfour points with 10 minutes left from in front of the posts after a series of boneringing charges by the Pumas. Lamaison settled the French with a booming 45-metre penalty to make it 33-26 and Argentina's granite-like defence finally cracked.

Olivier Magne roared down the left and the ball was spread wide for Garbajossuck in the tacklers and pass inside for Bernat-Salles to grab his second. Lamconverted and France led 40-26 before Dourthe kicked for Garbajosa to gallopand complete his brace with two minutes left. Lamaison converted imperiouslyseal a convincing, if belated, victory.


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Scotland 18 - New Zealand 30

Venue: MurrayfieldReferee: E. Morrison Attendance: 59,757 Date: 24 Oct 1999

New Zealand steamrollered their way to an emphatic 30-18 win over Scotlandtheir World Cup quarter-final at Murrayfield.

The All Blacks ran in four tries to two and will now face France in the semi-finaat Twickenham next weekend. The other semi-final will be between defendingchampions South Africa and Australia.

Wing Tana Umaga scored two tries and full-back Jeff Wilson and giant wing JoLomu one each for the All Blacks, while fly-half Andrew Mehrtens kicked two penalties and converted the first two tries.

Scotland's points came from late tries from flanker Budge Pountney and wing Cameron Murray, a penalty and a conversion kicked by wing Kenny Logan androp goal from fly-half Gregor Townsend.

New Zealand - the runners-up in 1995 - continued their rampage through the nament and underlined their status as odds-on favourites. Both Scotland's triecame late in the game when the result was beyond doubt. The Kiwis scored 1points and conceded just 28 in winning their three group matches and the gritScots, who were playing their final match under coach Jim Telfer, had no real answers to their poise, power and control.

Scotland are the reigning Five Nations champions but the gap in standards betthe southern hemisphere and the north was again underlined by New Zealanddominance.

New Zealand maintained their record of never having lost to Scotland in 21 meings dating back to 1905 but lost key man Mehrtens to a knee injury at halftimewas replaced by Tony Brown and his condition will cause concern to the All Blaover the next few days.

The Scots, playing in their change tangerine strip, struggled from the start to kpace with the tournament favourites in a match played in pouring rain and on damp, slippery pitch.


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After surviving some brief early pressure, New Zealanders took the lead through aeighth-minute Mehrtens penalty. Umaga's 12th-minute first try was the result ofine charge up the middle by Lomu, the tournament's leading try-scorer. It tookmen to subdue Lomu and when the New Zealanders eventually moved the bawide, Umaga was on hand to cross the line.

Wilson's try in the right corner - which saw him pass 200 points in test rugby - set up by the pace, awareness and fast hands of Mehrtens, who slipped the bwide for the fullback to power over the line. Mehrtens' kick made it 17-0.

The Scots got on the scoreboard through Logan's penalty after 20 minutes buMehrtens responded in kind five minutes later, although the metronomic kickermiss a subsequent drop goal attempt.

New Zealand were resolute in defence, but had to survive some uncomfortablmoments before Umaga scored his second try in injury time after a superb hanmovement and a fine final pass from centre Christian Cullen.

Townsend's drop goal after 49 minutes didn't lead to a Scottish revival. InsteadLomu squandered an opportunity for his sixth try of the tournament at the otherwhen he dropped the ball when over the line.

It wasn't long, however, before he did cross for the 25th try of his All Black carwhen the Scots were unable to halt his power down the wing. Brown's kick misbut the margin was 24 points and the game was out of the Scots' reach.

Pountney got a pushover try for the Scots with 14 minutes left - his first international try - and Logan converted. Murray then went over in the last minute, butwas too little, too late.

New Zealand's win leaves France as the only side capable of winning the WorCup for the first time. The All Blacks won the first tournament in 1987, Australitriumphed in 1991 while South Africa were victorious in 1995 and have yet to la World Cup match.


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England 21 - South Africa 44

Venue: Stade de France,ParisReferee: J. FlemingAttendance: 75,000Date: 24 Oct 1999

South African fly-half Jannie de Beer kicked 34 points, including a world recorfive drop goals, as the defending champions overwhelmed England 44-21 in thquarter-finals.

The match produced just two tries - a superb effort from South African captainJoost van der Westhuizen which gave his side a 16-12 lead over England at thbreak and an injury-time touchdown by Pieter Rossouw.

Prior to van der Westhuizen's try, his 29th in tests, the game had been dominatpenalty kicks with Paul Grayson kicking four and Jannie de Beer three. The 28-year-old van der Westhuizen somehow managed to touch the ball down witright arm just as he was being pushed out of play by flanker Richard Hill. De Bfollowed that up with a fabulous conversion from the touchline to send South Africa in with a 16-12 lead at the interval.

The second-half, however, was barely one minute old when Grayson reducedarrears to just one point with another penalty.

Enter de Beer for the first of his quite wonderfully-executed drop goals - four owhich came from more than 40 metres and all of which must have seemed a sthrust through the England heart.

Grayson and de Beer again swapped penalties and at 25-18 down England wreeling.

They were desperate for fresh momentum and Woodward threw on Austin Hefor Nick Beal and precocious 20-year-old fly-half Jonny Wilkinson for Grayson,a bid to rescue the game.

As if to underline the tide turning against England, Wilkinson's first act was to ta crucial penalty from the wrong side for a left-footer.

He missed, though he slotted over one from a slightly easier angle nine minutlater.


Match Reports

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At 25-21 England were still in it, but then up stepped de Beer again to pick his with the cool and composed air of an executioner - not once, but twice.

In the 71st minute he received swift ball from the back of the scrum to plant hifourth drop goal between the posts.

And three minutes later came the biggest howitzer of all - a quite magnificent efrom 45 metres which had his Springbok team-mates doing high-fives in the mdle of the pitch.

Two more penalties from de Beer and an injury-time try from Rossouw, converby de Beer, gave South Africa a stunningly convincing victory and left Englanddejected and demoralised.


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Australia 27 - South Africa 21

Venue: TwickenhamReferee: D. Bevan Attendance: 73,000Date: 30 Oct 1999

Australian fly-half Stephen Larkham kicked a drop goal and Matt Burke added twpenalties to take Australia through to their second Rugby World Cup final after anail-biting period of extra time at Twickenham. South Africa lost their first everRWC game by a final score of 27-21.

South African fly-half Jannie de Beer had forced the extra period by booting a alty in the 86th minute of regulation time, tying the score at 18 each. The lengttime added on by referee Derek Bevan - in charge of his final international mabefore retirement - could have been considered controversial after the assistaeree advised that just two minutes be added for injuries.

Australia exacted revenge in the 20 further minutes, though, following a furthepenalty by de Beer in the third minute of the additional period.

The drop goal, so in fashion when last a World Cup game was played at this venuseemed to have quickly been consigned to the basement after two simple missattempts, one from last week's hero de Beer - who had missed a penalty insidfirst three minutes - but, first, a slice from just ten yards out from Larkham.

Twickenham's swirling winds took some getting used to, and both Burke and dBeer employed holders to keep the ball straight on their penalty attempts. Botwere getting into their respective grooves by half-time, swapping penalties as sides repeatedly infringed offside. At mid-way, Burke had the lead 12-6.

De Beer's radar may have been less effective than last week but it did not prehim from attempting five drop goals once again in this game. The difference wthat he converted just one, in the 51st minute. It was ironic that an injured Larkhwho had never managed a drop in his international career, was the man to spscores, with a magnificent shot which was still travelling as it split the uprights,yards away from the kicker.

Rarely has a try-less match been so exciting. the momentum was almost alwayAustralia's favour. The Wallabies looked to have put the game beyond doubt wless than ten minutes remaining in the 80, when scrum-half George Gregan d


Match Reports

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for the line, but he was held up short, and subsequently penalised for holding the tackle.

The Springboks cleared, breathed a sigh of relief, and then fought down to the and past it, for a chance to face the winners of tomorrow's semi-final between Zealand and France at Cardiff next Saturday.


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France 43 - New Zealand 31

Venue: TwickenhamReferee: J. Fleming Attendance: 75,000Date: 31 Oct 1999

A massive 23 second half points from French fly-half Christophe Lamaison gaLes Bleus the biggest upset victory in World Cup history at Twickenham.

The French - Wooden Spoonists in this year's Five Nations Championship - habeen slated at 15/2 for a victory in the World Cup semi-final but overcame the oto progress to next Saturday's final at Cardiff thanks to a momentous 43-31 vic

Down by seven points at half-time, France were even further under the cosh wLomu took a short pass from Jeff Wilson and dived in for his second try of the match. Andrew Mehrtens converted for a 14-point lead to the Kiwis.

There then followed a massive glut of French points, a 26-point spree which included two drop goals within two minutes from the mercurial out-half, standinin for the injured Thomas Castaignede.

For periods during the first half, France had the Kiwis rattled, none more so thwhen two kicks ahead became tooth-and-nail contests on the goal line. Either chave resulted in a try for Les Bleus.

Dominici kicked the first from 40 yards out and Garbajosa gave chase but, as hchipped forward again, he gave the ball too much, putting it over the dead ball A kick from openside Olivier Magne from the 22 was even closer. Referee JimFleming ruled that Jeff Wilson had touched the ball down in his own goal, althotelevision replays showed that he had in fact still been in the field of play. A 22-metre drop out saved All Black tension.

In fact, in a half when the normally reliable Mehrtens missed three penalties andconversion, the main difference between the two sides was Jonah Lomu, who intrademark move in the 23rd minute, took the ball wide and broke at least four attempted tackles, and even side-stepping a couple to boot, to put his side 14-1

Lamaison's try had put the French ahead just five minutes earlier, a break fromDominici being brought to a halt just in front of the posts by Kronfeld. A quick bout saw the fly-half go over.


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The killer blow for the French, though, was when, with seven minutes to go, Bnat-Salles dived on a kick ahead for the fourth try for his side. With the score 24in favour of the French, the World Cup favourites could still have snatched vict

The All Blacks were pressing for minutes on end but, as the ball went down thbackline once more, Magne popped in to pick up a dropped ball by Umaga. Hkicked and ran, as if his life depended on it. In the end, Bernat-Salles was justspeedy for Wilson, nudging with the boot and then falling on the ball for the scwhich nailed the Kiwi coffin firmly shut.

Even if they right the mistakes in their game during the third-place match agaiSouth Africa on Thursday, it won't be remotely enough to erase the despair thmust be felt throughout the land of the long white cloud.


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New Zealand 18 - South Africa 22

Venue: Cardiff-Millennium StadiumReferee: P. Marshall Attendance: 72,000Date: 04 Nov 1999

A try by wing Breyton Paulse and a pair of drop goals by fullback Percy Mont-gomery helped South Africa to a 22-18 win over New Zealand in the World Cuthird-place playoff at the Millennium Stadium.

South Africa led New Zealand 16-12 at halftime and the 1995 champions desetheir win against an All Black side who suffered their second successive loss aan error-filled encounter.

The defending champions scored the only try of the game through Paulse, buther side was able to stamp its authority on a lacklustre game.

All New Zealand's points came from penalties kicked by fly-half Andrew Mehrtens, while the rest of South Africa's points came from three penalties anconversion from fly-half Henry Honiball, who was making his test farewell.

A Mehrtens penalty gave New Zealand a 3-0 lead after 11 minutes but a drop from South African fullback Montgomery pulled the Springboks level almost immediately.

Honiball kicked a 17th-minute penalty to put the Springboks 6-3 in front but Mehrtens' 25th-minute penalty pulled the sides level before Paulse scored a sindividual 27th-minute try, converted by Honiball, to make it 13-6 for the 'Boks.

Mehrtens then pulled New Zealand back to within four points with a penalty sevminutes before the break.

A second Honiball penalty made it 16-9 just before halftime, only for Mehrtensfourth penalty, in injury time, to again bring the All Blacks back to within four points.

Honiball made it 19-12 after the break but Mehrtens' fifth penalty again pulled All Blacks back into contention.

The one time ace New Zealand wing Jonah Lomu did manage to break away lathe match, he was ankle-tapped by his opposite number Stefan Terblanche.


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Mehrtens' sixth penalty then lifted the All Blacks to within a point of the lead buMontgomery's second drop goal, with five minutes left, restored South Africanmorale and they held on despite some late All Black pressure.

It was a match that lacked the usual drive and enthusiasm of a clash betweentraditional rivals and the New Zealanders made a plethora of handling errors thmirrored their shock semi-final loss to France.

The Springboks qualified automatically for the finals of the 2003 tournament bvirtue of their win while the All Blacks, the pre-tournament favourites, will now have to suffer the indignity of contesting the qualifying tournament.


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Australia 35 - France 12

Venue: Cardiff-Millennium StadiumReferee: A. Watson Attendance: 72,500Date: 06 Nov 1999

The best side won the biggest match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff as Autralia won their second Webb Ellis trophy, downing the gallant French 35-12 inWorld Cup final.

The Wallabies, strong favourites for this match, didn't fail to take the chances offered to them in a scrappy, bad-tempered encounter. The handling of their bline was key but also the performance in defence of the men in gold.

A 65th minute try from winger Ben Tune blew the game open after the two sidkickers, French fly-half Christophe Lamaison and Australian fullback Matt Burkhad traded penalties throughout the first half. A break from scum-half George gan went out to substitute flanker Owen Finegan, who popped it to the wing foTune to score his 22nd Test try in the right hand corner.

A bad-tempered first half was punctuated by penalties, and Burke emerged on despite missing two penalties from less than 40 metres out. Pelous was yellowcarded by referee Andrew Watson following a mass of punches in the seventhminute, following a try-saving tackle by Bernat-Salles on Roff.

More surprising was the yellow card on Australian captain Eales shortly after-wards. His punch in a scrum was spotted by the touch judge and Lamaison coverted the penalty to tie the scores at six.

As the half closed, a Garbajosa drop kick was charged down and, as Les Bleucontinually killed the ball, Burke slotted one over from 31 metres out for a 12-6lead.

France never looked like scoring the vital five-pointer that would have put the tsides on a par. They continually killed play, and were justly penalised. A try forFinegan five minutes into time added on perhaps exaggerated the prowess ofAussies but it was a just reward for the man who has been used as an impact tute throughout the tournament.

The Australians will certainly be comfortable tonight as they bask in the glory ohard-fought second World title.


Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery

FIGURE 1. Thomas Castaignede runs from John Hutchinson


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FIGURE 2. Samoan centre Brian Lima on his way to score a try


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FIGURE 3. All Blacks 'Haka' vs. Tongan 'Ikale Tahi'


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FIGURE 4. England centre Phil de Glanville goes over for the score


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FIGURE 5. Ireland hooker Keith Wood touches down against the USA


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FIGURE 6. Fijian centre Viliame Satala gets a lift from Emile N'tamack


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FIGURE 7. Samoan fullback Silao Leaega touches down against Wales


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FIGURE 8. Lomu and Dallaglio come to blows


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FIGURE 9. Martin Leslie tries to repel All Black surge


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FIGURE 10. Ripol is tackled by Panizza


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FIGURE 11. Burke adds to his points total


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FIGURE 12. Fabien Pelous takes on Namibia


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FIGURE 13. Tournaire is attacked by Pichot


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FIGURE 14. Springboks celebrate after win over England


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FIGURE 15. Elwood breaks free against Romania


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FIGURE 16. Matt Pini clears danger for Italy


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FIGURE 17. Tim Horan - player of the tournament


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FIGURE 18. John Eales receives trophy from the Queen


Betting Odds

Betting Odds

The following table shows the pre World Cup odds on the eventual winner.

TABLE 1. Betting odds

World Cup Chandler Coral Heathorns HillsLadbrokes Stanley Surrey Tote

NewZealand

10-11 4-5 5-6 10-11 Evs 5-6 10-11 10-11

Australia 2 5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2 9-4 11-4

South Africa

4 5 4 4 4 7-2 7-2 7-2

England 9-2 6 8 11-2 6 13-2 13-2 7

Wales 20 16 20 12 16 12 20 16

France 28 28 25 33 33 25 25 20

Ireland 28 66 100 40 66 50 66 66

Scotland 66 100 100 100 80 80 125 125

Samoa 150 80 100 100 80 80 100 100

Fiji 200 150 150 125 150 100 200 250

Argentina 150 150 150 150 150 200 300 200


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Previous World Cup Records

The following records apply to the final RWC tournaments up to and including1995 but do not include qualifying matches.

Most tries in a match (individual)

6 Marc Ellis (New Zealand v Japan 1995)4 Gavin Hastings (Scotland v Ivory Coast 1995)4 Chester Williams (S Africa v Western Samoa 1995)4 Jonah Lomu (New Zealand v England 1995)4 Brian Robinson (Ireland v Zimbabwe 1991)4 Ieuan Evans (Wales v Canada 1987)4 Craig Green (New Zealand v Fiji 1987)4 John Gallagher (New Zealand v Fiji 1987)

Most tries in a match (team)

21 New Zealand (v Japan 1995)

Most tries in World Cups up to 1995

Rory Underwood (England) 11

Leading try scorers at each World Cup

19876 John Kirwan (New Zealand)6 Craig Green (New Zealand)

19916 David Campese (Australia)6 Jean-Baptiste Lafonde (France)

19957 Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)7 Marc Ellis (New Zealand)

Most points in a match (team)

145 New Zealand (v Japan 1995)

Most points in a match (individual)

45 Simon Culhane (New Zealand v Japan 1995)


Previous World Cup Records

Most points in World Cups up to 1995

Gavin Hastings (Scotland) 227

Leading points scorers at each World Cup

1987127 Grant Fox (New Zealand)

199168 Ralph Keyes (Ireland)

1995112 Thierry Lacroix (France)


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Final Pool Standings

TABLE 2. Pool A standings

Country P W L D For Against Points

South Africa

3 3 0 0 132 35 9

Scotland 3 2 1 0 120 58 7

Uruguay 3 1 2 0 42 97 5

Spain 3 0 3 0 18 122 3

TABLE 3. Pool B standings


New Zealand

3 3 0 0 176 28 9

England 3 2 1 0 184 47 7

Tonga 3 1 2 0 47 171 5

Italy 3 0 3 0 35 196 3

TABLE 4. Pool C standings


France 3 3 0 0 108 52 9

Fiji 3 2 1 0 124 68 7

Canada 3 1 2 0 114 82 5

Namibia 3 0 3 0 42 186 3


Final Pool Standings

TABLE 5. Pool D standings


Wales 3 2 1 0 118 71 7

Samoa 3 2 1 0 97 72 7

Argentina 3 2 1 0 83 51 7

Japan 3 0 3 0 36 140 3

TABLE 6. Pool E standings


Australia 3 3 0 0 135 31 9

Ireland 3 2 1 0 100 45 7

Romania 3 1 2 0 50 126 5

USA 3 0 3 0 52 135 3


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1999 RWC Statistics

TABLE 7. Individual scoring statistics

Category Total Name

Top Points Scorer 102 Gonzalo Quesada

Top Try Scorer 8 Jonah Lomu

Most Points in a game 36 Paul Grayson

Most Tries in a game 4 Keith Wood

TABLE 8. Team scoring statistics

Category Total Name

Most Points 250 England

Most Tries 29 New Zealand

Most Points in a game 101 New Zealand

Most Tries in a game 14 New Zealand


1999 RWC Statistics

TABLE 9. Most penalties in World Cup

Position Name Country Total Conceded

Blind Side Flank Lievremont, Marc France 8

Open Side Flank Magne, Olivier France 8

Tight Head Prop Ale, Robbie Samoa 6

Open Side Flank Kronfeld, Josh New Zealand 6

Blind Side Flank Erasmus, Johan South Africa 6

Open Side Flank Wilson, David Australia 5

Open Side Flank Pountney, Budge Scotland 5

Lock Andrews, Mark South Africa 5

Number 8 Ormachea, Diego Uruguay 4

Fly Half Lamaison, Christophe France 4

TABLE 10. Top kickers in World Cup (by accuracy)

Position Name Country % Success Total Kicks

Fly Half Rees, Gareth Canada 100.00 19

Fly Half Aguirre, Diego Uruguay 100.00 6

Fly Half Contepomi, Felipe Argentina 100.00 2

Fly Half Velazco, Ferran Spain 100.00 1

Left Wing Roff, Joe Australia 100.00 1

Scrum Half Dawson, Matt England 100.00 1

Outside Centre Satala, Viliame Fiji 100.00 1

Fly Half Humphreys, David Ireland 93.75 15

Fly Half Serevi, Waisale Fiji 92.31 12

Fly Half Elwood, Eric Ireland 90.91 10


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Index

AAguirre 48, 57, 98, 149Alatini 35Albanese16, 84, 105, 107Alberdi 16Ale 39, 149Allub 16, 84Alonso 45Alzueta 48Andrews 43, 149Anitoni 50Arancio 29Arbizu 16, 107, 112Archer 22Argentina 16, 54, 84, 105, 107, 112Armstrong 41, 71Astarloa 45Auradou 25Australia 9, 18, 69, 87, 89, 110, 118, 124

BBachop31, 39, 78, 94

Back 22Bado 48Balan 37Banks 20Bari 24Bartolucci 16Bastide45Bateman52, 79Baugh 20, 88Beal 22, 108, 116Belfast 69Bell 27Benazzi25, 74Bergamasco29Bernat-Salles73, 102, 112, 121, 124BernatSalles25Berruti 48Betting 143Bevan 11, 65, 108, 112, 118Beziers56, 58Bice 20Billups 50

Great Events of the Twentieth Century151


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Bishop 27, 61, 99, 107Blaauw 33Blades18Blom 50Blowers 35Boobyer 52Bordeaux73, 80Bowman 18Brennan27Brezoianu37Brignoni 48Brinza 37Bristol 65Brooke 35Brouzet 25Brown 35, 91, 115Bryan 20Bulloch 41Burke 18, 69, 87, 89, 110, 118, 124, 135Burnell 41

CCaione29Califano 25, 102Camardon16Campese144Camps45Campsall11, 58, 99Canada20, 58, 80, 88Canalda16Carbajosa112Cardiff 54, 78, 93, 105, 110, 122, 124Cardinal 20, 88Cardoso48, 57, 71Casey27Castaignede25, 73, 101, 120, 125Castellani29Castidnede59Catt 22Ceppolino29Cerviño 48Charron20, 88Charvis 52, 54Checchinato29Chiriac 37

Cilley 16Ciolacu 37Clark 15Clarke 39Clayton 50Clohessy27, 99Coaches15Cockbain18Cockerill 22Cole 11, 63, 88Connors18Constantin77, 100Contepomi16, 106, 113, 149Cordle 20Corkery 27Corleto 16Corodeanu37Corrigan 27Corry 22, 60Costabile48Costes25Coulson50Cristofoletto 29Crowley 18Culhane144Cullen 35, 91, 115

DD'Arcy 27Dal Maso 25Dallaglio 22, 75, 132Dalzell 50, 61, 77, 89Davidson27Davies 52Dawson22, 27, 60, 76, 95, 149de Beer33, 43, 67, 98, 116, 118de Glanville 22, 96, 128De La Calle45De Los Santos48De Olivera 48de Villiers 25DeCarli 29Demci 37Desbrosse25Diaz 48

Great Events of the Twentieth Century


Díaz 45Dickinson 11, 71, 105, 107Díez 45Dima 37Dominguez29, 60, 86, 92Dominici 25, 101, 120Dourth 58Dourthe 25, 74, 102, 112Doviverata24Dowd 35, 76Draguceanu37Drotske 43du Randt43Dublin 61, 77, 87, 99, 112Duggan 35Dume 12, 61, 78Dunkley 20

EEales 18, 87, 110, 124, 142Edwards46Elia 16Ellis 144Elwood 27, 99, 139, 149Enciso 45England22, 60, 75, 95, 108, 116, 138,

148Erasmus43, 149Erickson 12, 84, 95Etxeberria82Etxeberría45Evans 52, 144

FFainga'anuku46Fairley 41Faivaai 39Faka'osifolau46Falaniko 39, 94Faletau46Fanolua39Farmer 33Fatani 46, 86Feaunati39Feek 35

Feijo 15Ferres48Fiji 24, 56, 80, 101, 108Finau 46Finegan18, 124Fisch 33Fitzpatrick 27Fleck 43, 67, 98Fleming 12, 77, 91, 116, 120Foley 18, 89Fox 145France9, 25, 58, 73, 101, 112, 120, 124Frechilla 45Fugigi 37Furter 33

GGalashiels57Gallagher144Gallastegui45Garbajosa25, 112, 120, 124Garforth 22Garvey 43Gatland15Giacheri 29Gibbs 52, 79Gibson 35, 91Giffin 18Giovanelli 29, 86Glas 25, 58Glasgow97Glendinning39Gontineac37Gonzalez85Gordon 31Graf 20Graham41Grau 16Grayson22, 95, 116, 148Green144Greening22, 95, 108Greenwood22, 95, 96Gregan18, 110, 118, 124Grewcock22Grey 18



154

154

Grille 48Grimes 41Grobler 50, 89Gross50Guscott 22, 75, 95

HHaka 75, 127Hammett35, 91Harry 18Hart 15Hasan16Hasegawa31Hastings144Hawke 12, 67, 110Healey 22, 76, 95, 96, 108, 116Henry 15Herbert 18, 87, 111Herrera15Hightower 50, 77Hildan 37Hill 22, 75, 95, 116Hilton 41Hirao 15, 31Hirose 31, 63, 79, 105Hodge 41, 103Hodges50Hoeft 35Holtzhausen33Honiball 43, 122Honiss 13, 69, 82Horan 9, 18, 69, 87, 111, 141Horn 33Hough 33, 88Howarth 52, 78, 79, 111Howley 52, 78, 79Huddersfield91Humphreys27, 52, 61, 107, 149Hutchinson20, 125

IIacob 37Ibanez25, 73, 102Ieremia 35Ikale Tahi 127

Inchausti 45Ireland 9, 27, 61, 87, 99, 107Ishi 31Italy 29, 60, 86, 91, 140Ito 31, 79Iwabuchi 31Izaacs33

JJacobs33James20, 52Janjies33Japan31, 63, 78, 105Jenkins52, 54, 78, 93, 110Johns27Johnson22Johnstone15, 80Jones35, 52Jones-Hughes52Joseph31, 78Joubert15Juillet 25, 101Julies 43

KKafer 18Katalua 24Kayser 43, 67, 98Kearns18, 87Kefu 18, 69, 87Kelleher 35, 65, 76Keyes 145Khasigian50Kirwan 91, 144Kiso 31Kivalu 46Koga 31Koloi 46Kovalenco 45, 57Kronfeld 35, 65, 76, 120, 149Kruger 43Kunda 31

LL’Huillier 50



Lacroix 145Laffite 48Lafonde 144Lam 39, 93, 94Lamaison25, 73, 112, 120, 124, 149Lamé 48Lamelas48Larkham 18, 89, 110, 118Lasagavibau24, 56, 80Latham 18, 89le Roux 43, 68Leaega39, 63, 84, 94, 131Leaupepe39Ledesma16, 107Lehner 50Lemoine 48, 72Lens 107Leonard22, 43Leota 39, 109Leslie 41, 67, 71, 109, 133Lewis 52Lievremont 25, 101, 149Lima 39, 63, 94, 109, 126Limerick 89Lintvelt 33Little 18, 24, 69, 81, 101Llanelli 84Llewellyn 52, 79Lloyd 22Lobbe 16Logan 41, 67, 114Lomu 9, 35, 65, 75, 91, 114, 120, 122,

132, 144, 148Longstaff 41, 103Loubsens45Loubsher33Lougheed20Loveday 20Luger 22, 95, 108Lumkong 50Lupu 37Lyle 50, 77Lynagh 78, 94

MMaceletu102Macqueen15Mafi 46Maggs 27Magne 25, 58, 113, 120, 121, 149Major 20Maka 46Male 24Malet 45Mallett 15, 82Mallier 25Malo 45, 82Malotana43Mancheca57Marlu 25Marques48Marshall 13, 35, 75, 97, 122Marten 46Martens86Martin 16, 29Martinez 45Mascioletti 15Masuho31Mata 45Matauiau39, 109Mather 41, 103Matson 24Matsuda31Mavrodin 37Maxwell 35, 65Mayer 41Mazzariol 29Mazzi 29Mazzuccato29McCarthy 20, 22McCormick 31McHugh 13, 56, 109McKeen 27McLaren 41, 103Meeuws35Mehrtens35, 65, 114, 120, 122Menchaca48Mendaro48



156

156

Metcalfe 41, 71Mignoni 25, 74Mika 35, 39, 91Miki 31Miller 27, 87Miranda 16Mitu 37, 69, 77, 99Mo’unga 50Mocelutu 24Mola 25, 73, 101Montgomery43, 122Moore 52Moretti 29Morrison 13, 80, 93, 114Moscardi 29, 86Mostyn 27Motoki 31, 79Mouton 33Muller 43, 83Mullins 27Murata 31Murray 41, 103, 114Murrayfield 67, 71, 82, 103, 109, 114

NNaevo 24Naituivau 24Nakamichi 31Nakamura31Nakauta24, 108Namibia 33, 56, 73, 88, 136Nesdale27New Zealand9, 35, 65, 75, 91, 114, 120,

122, 144, 148Nichols 20, 80, 88Niu 50, 89Noriega 18Ntamack25, 112

OO'Brien 14, 54O'Cuinneagain27, 99O'Driscoll 27, 61, 99O'Kelly 27O'Meara27

O'Shea27, 99, 107O’Brien 101Oguchi 31Ohata31, 78Okubo 31Oliver 35Olivier 33Opperman33Orengo 16Ormachea149Ormaechea48, 57, 98Osborne35, 91Ostiglia 16Otto 43, 82

PPaga50, 77Pagano20Palepoi39Panizza48, 134Paramore39, 84Parfrey 15Paris 116Parker 50, 90Paterson41Paul 18, 69, 87Paullier 48Paulse43, 82, 122Pedro 33Pelous25, 124, 136Penisini 46Penney20Perez16Perry 22, 95, 108Petrache37, 77Phelan16Phillips 15Pichot 16, 105, 107, 112, 137Pini 29, 92, 140Ponce De Leon48Pountney41, 114, 149Properzi 29Pucciariello29Puertas45, 82



QQoro 24Quesada9, 16, 54, 84, 105, 107, 112, 148Quinnell 52, 55, 78

RRaiwalui 24Randall 91Randell 35Rasila 24Rauluni 24, 56, 101Redpath41Reed41, 50Rees20, 58, 81, 88, 149Referees11Reggiardi 112Reggiardo16Reid 41Reidy 39Ripol 45, 134Robertson35Robinson91, 144Robson20Rodber 22Roff 18, 69, 89, 110, 124, 149Rogers52, 78Romania37, 69, 77, 99, 139Roselli 29Ross20, 59, 88Rossouw43, 116Rotaru 37Rouse24, 108Ruiz 16Russell 41

SSakata31Sakuraba31Salageanu37Samoa9, 39, 63, 84, 93, 109Samuelson33, 73, 88Sanchez48Sarramea25Satala24, 80, 81, 102, 149Sauan37, 100

Saulala50Saviozzi 29Scelzo16Scharrenberg50Schmid 20Schurfeld50Sciarra48, 57Scotland41, 67, 71, 103, 109, 114Senekal33Septar37Serevi 24, 56, 101, 149Sewabu24Shuman50, 77Simone16, 84Simpson41, 109Sinkinson52, 111Sirbu 37Sititi 39Skinstad43, 82Skrela 15Slusariuc37Smith 20, 24, 31, 33, 41, 108Snow 20, 88So'oalo39So'oialo 39Socias45Solomie 37, 77Sotutu 24Soulette25South Africa 43, 67, 82, 97, 116, 118,

122Souto 45Spain 45, 57, 82, 103Spencer35Sporleder16Springboks138Stan 37Staniforth 18, 89Stanley20, 81, 88Stewart20, 80Steyn 33Stoica 29, 86Storace48Strauss18, 89streakers69



158

158

Stroble 50Sucher50Swanepoel43, 82

TTa'ala 39Ta'u 46Tabua24Taione 46Tait 20, 41, 109Takau 50Tanuma31Tapueluelu46Tardits 50Tatafu 46Taufahema46, 86Taufo'ou 95Taumalolo46, 65Taumoepeau46Taupeaafe46Tawake24, 102Taylor 52, 54, 78Te Pou46Telfer 15Terblanche43, 122Theron 33Thiel 20Thomas14, 52, 79, 87, 103, 111Thorne 35Tierney 27, 99Tiko 24Tiueti 46, 95Toala 39Tofan 37Toleafoa39Toloke 46Tone 39Tonga 46, 65, 86, 95Tonita 37Topping 27Torres 45Toulouse88, 101Tournaire25, 137Townsend41, 71, 109, 114Travini 29

Trew 78Troncon 29Tu'ilupotu 86Tu'ipulotu 46, 96Tu’ihalamaka15Tudor 37Tuidraki 31, 78Tuigamala39, 84Tuineau 45Tune 18, 87, 110, 124Twickenham60, 75, 95, 108, 118, 120

UUbogu 22Uiagalelei 50Uluinayau 24, 81, 101Umaga35, 39, 75, 114, 121Underwood91, 144Uruguay 48, 57, 71, 97USA 50, 61, 77, 89

VVa'a 39Vacarri 86Vaccari 29Vaega 39van den Berg98van der Berg43van der Merwe33van der Westhuizen43, 82, 98, 116van Dyk 33, 74, 88van Heerden43van Rensburg33, 73van Rooyen33van Vuuren33van Wyk 33, 88Vecino 48Veitayaki 24Velazco 45, 83, 149Venter 43, 67, 97Viana 48Vickery 22Vili 39Villaú 45Vioreanu 37



Visagie 43Vos 43, 82Voss 82Voyle 52Vunibaka 24, 80Vunipola 46Vusec 37

WWales 52, 54, 78, 93, 110Wallace 27Walne 52Walton 41Ward 27, 99Watanabe31Watson14, 60, 89, 124Weir 41, 109Whitaker 18, 89White 14, 57, 73Whittaker 20Wilkinson 22, 60, 75, 95, 108, 116Williams 15, 18, 20, 50, 52, 58, 59, 88,

144Willis 35Wilson 18, 35, 75, 91, 110, 111, 114, 120,

149Wood 22, 27, 61, 87, 129, 148Woodward15Wooley 46Worsley 22Wrexham63Wyatt 52, 78Wyllie 15

YYoshida 31Young 52

ZZaayman33, 73Zapatero45Zarzosa45Zisti 29



The 1999 Rugby World Cupbcrugbynews.com/documents/rugby_worldcup_colour_aug15... · 2019-05-10 ·...

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Transcript of The 1999 Rugby World Cupbcrugbynews.com/documents/rugby_worldcup_colour_aug15... · 2019-05-10 ·...