Rugby World Cup Teams
Rugby World Cup Information
There are 20 teams competing in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. This page contains all you need to know - a short history of the team, their logo, playing strip and training and playing schedules.
Argentina | Australia | Canada | England | Fiji | France | Georgia | Ireland | Italy | Japan | Namibia | New Zealand | Romania | Russia | Samoa | Scotland | South Africa | Tonga | USA | Wales
Argentina
 |
Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British Isles team. It is today considered one of the top rugby nations in the world and the best in the Americas by a considerable degree, and has competed at every Rugby World Cup staged since the first in 1987. As of 23 March 2009 Argentina is ranked fifth in the world behind Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Dunedin |
15 |
Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
TBC |
Invercargill |
3 |
Sep 15 – Sep 17 |
|
Wellington |
8 |
Sep 18 – Sep 25 |
TBC |
Palmerston North |
7 |
Sep 26 – Oct 2 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Dunedin | Sat 10 Sept 2011 | England | Otago Stadium |
| Invercargill | Sat 17 Sept 2011 | Romania | Rugby Park |
| Wellington | Sat 25 Sept 2011 | Scotland | Wellington Regional Stadium |
| Palmerston North | Wed 28 Sept 2011 | Georgia | Arena Manawatu |
Australia
 |
The Australian national rugby union team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series. As of the 28th November 2009, Australia is ranked third on the IRB World Rankings. Australia have competed in all six Rugby World Cups, and have won the World Cup on two occasions, in 1991 against England, and in 1999 against France. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Auckland |
5 + 7 |
Tues 6 – Sep 10 |
|
Wellington |
4 |
Sep 18- Sep 23 |
|
Hanmer Springs |
4 |
Sep 24 – Sep 27 |
TBC |
Nelson |
4 |
Sep 28 – Oct 1 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Auckland | Fri 09 Sept 2011 | Ireland | Eden Park |
| Auckland | Sun 11 Sept 2011 | Italy | North Harbour Stadium |
| Wellington | Fri 23 Sept 2011 | USA | Wellington Regional Stadium |
| Nelson | Sat 01 Oct 2011 | Russia | Trafalgar Park |
Canada
 |
Canada has been playing international rugby since the early 1930s, making their debut in 1932 against Japan. Canada have competed at every World Cup since the tournament was first staged in 1987. Canada achieved their best result at the World Cup in 1991, where they reached the quarter-finals. Canada is the dominant power of North American rugby and considered second only to Argentina in the Americas. Canada is currently ranked fourteenth by the IRB. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Bay of Islands |
6 |
Sep 6 – Sep 11 |
|
Whangarei |
3 |
Sep 12 – Sep 14 |
|
Napier |
15 |
Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
|
Wellington |
3 |
Sep 30 – Oct 2 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Whangarei | Wed 14 Sept 2011 | Tonga | Northland Events Centre |
| Napier | Sun 18 Sept 2011 | France | McLean Park |
| Napier | Tues 27 Sept 2011 | Japan | McLean Park |
| Wellington | Sun 02 Oct 2011 | New Zealand | Wellington Regional Stadium |
England
|
As of 22nd March 2010, the English national rugby union team is ranked seventh in the world by the International Rugby Board. England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003 and finished runner-up in 1991 and 2007. The history of the team extends back to 1871 when the English rugby team played their first official Test match, losing to Scotland by one try. England dominated the early Home Nations Championship (now the Six Nations) which started in 1883. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Queenstown |
5 |
Sep 11 – Sep 15 |
|
Dunedin |
7 + 9 |
Sep 4 – Sep 10 and Sep 22 – Sep 24 |
|
Auckland |
7 |
Sep 25 – Oct 1 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Dunedin | Sat 10 Sept 2011 | Argentina | Otago Stadium |
| Dunedin | Sun 18 Sept 2011 | Georgia | Otago Stadium |
| Dunedin | Sat 24 Sept 2011 | Romania | Otago Stadium |
| Auckland | Sun 01 Oct 2011 | Scotland | Eden Park |
Fiji
|
The Fiji national rugby union team is one of the strongest national rugby union teams of the world, and the third-strongest from Oceania. Rugby union is the main sport in Fiji where there are pproximately 80,000 registered players from a total population of around 950,000. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup Fiji defeated Wales 38-31 to claim a quarter final spot. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Tauranga/Mt. Maunganui |
4 |
Sep 5 – Sep 8 |
|
Rotorua |
2 |
Sep 9 – Sep 10 |
|
Wellington |
7 |
Sep 11 - Sep 17 |
|
Auckland |
8 |
Sep 18 – Sep 25 |
|
Tauranga/Mt. Maunganui |
5 |
Sep 26 – Sep 30 |
|
Hamilton |
2 |
Oct 1 – Oct 2 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Rotorua | Sat 10 Sept 2011 | Namibia | Rotorua International Stadium |
| Wellington | Sat 17 Sept 2011 | South Africa | Wellington Regional Stadium |
| Auckland | Sun 25 Sept 2011 | Samoa | Eden Park |
| Hamilton | Sun 02 Oct 2011 | Fiji | Waikato Stadium |
France
 |
France are one of the strongest rugby nations in Europe and are currently the highest ranked Northern Hemisphere team, being fourth in the World as of 15 February 2009. France have reached the final of the World Cup twice, losing to the All Blacks in 1987 and to Australia in 1999. France hosted the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where, as in 2003, they were beaten in the semi finals by England. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
North Shore |
15 |
Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
|
Napier |
3 |
Sep 16 - Sep 18 |
|
North Shore |
10 |
Sep 19 – Sep 28 |
|
Wellington |
3 |
Sep 29 – Oct 1 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Auckland | Sat 10 Sept 2011 | Japan | North Harbour Stadium |
| Napier | Sun 18 Sept 2011 | Canada | McLean Park |
| Auckland | Sat 24 Sept 2011 | New Zealand | Eden Park |
| Wellington | Sat 01 Oct 2011 | Tonga | Wellington Regional Stadium |
Georgia
 |
The Georgia national rugby union team is nicknamed "The Lelos", which comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. In 2006 the team qualified for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, they beat Namibia by 30-0 for their first ever World Cup win. Georgia are currently ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 22 March 2010. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Queenstown |
11 |
Sep 5 – Sep 10 |
TBC |
Queenstown |
11 |
Sep 5 – Sep 10 |
TBC |
Invercargill |
4 |
Sep 11 – Sep 14 |
|
Masterton |
7 |
Sep 19 – Sep 25 |
|
Palmerston North |
7 |
Sep 26 – Oct 2 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Invercargill | Wed 14 Sept 2011 | Scotland | Rugby Park |
| Dunedin | Sun 18 Sept 2011 | England | Otago Stadium |
| Palmerston North | Wed 28 Sept 2011 | Romania | Arena Manawatu |
| Palmerston North | Sun 02 Oct 2011 | Argentina | Arena Manawatu |
Ireland
 |
The Ireland rugby union team represents the island of Ireland (both Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) in rugby union. Ireland's highest ever position in the IRB World Rankings is third which they reached in 2003 and 2006. They currently lie in fifth position as of 18 February 2010 after their defeat by France in the Six Nations. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Queenstown |
6 |
Sep 2 – Sep 7 |
|
New Plymouth |
4 |
Sep 8 – Sep 11 |
|
Auckland |
6 |
Sep 12 – Sep 17 |
|
Taupo |
4 |
Sep 18 – Sep 21 |
|
Rotorua |
4 |
Sep 22 – Sep 25 |
|
Dunedin |
7 |
Sep 26 – Oct 2 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| New Plymouth | Sun 11 Sept 2011 | USA | Stadium Taranaki |
| Auckland | Sat 17 Sept 2011 | Australia | Eden Park |
| Rotorua | Sun 25 Sept 2011 | Russia | Rotorua International Stadium |
| Dunedin | Sun 02 Oct 2011 | Italy | Otago Stadium |
Italy
 |
The Italian rugby union team is also known as the Azzurri (the Blues). Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and today are considered to be in the top tier of European rugby and compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Italy have also competed at every Rugby World Cup since the first tournament in 1987, but have yet to progress beyond the first round. Their best showing thus far has been in 2003 and 2007 where they managed two wins during the pool stages. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Nelson |
6 + 16 |
Sep 2 – Sep 7 and Sep 12 – 27 |
|
Auckland |
7 |
Sep 8 – Sep 18 |
|
Dunedin |
5 |
Sep 28 – Oct 2 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Auckland | Sun 11 Sept 2011 | Australia | North Harbour Stadium |
| Nelson | Tues 20 Sept 2011 | Russia | Trafalgar Park |
| Nelson | Tues 27 Sept 2011 | USA | Trafalgar Park |
| Dunedin | Sun 02 Oct 2011 | Ireland | Otago Stadium |
Japan
 |
Japan (often known as "The Cherry Blossoms") are traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia. They compete annually in the Pacific Nations Cup and the Asian Five Nations. They have also participated in every Rugby World Cup since the tournament began in 1987. However they have only ever won one game at the tournament, against Zimbabwe in 1991. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Rodney |
11 |
Sep 3 – Sep 13 |
|
Hamilton |
3 |
Sep 14 – Sep 16 |
|
Bay of Islands |
3 |
Sep 17 – Sep 19 |
|
Whangarei |
2 |
Sep 20 – Sep 21 |
|
Napier |
6 |
Sep 22 – Sep 27 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Auckland | Sat 10 Sept 2011 | France | North Harbour Stadium |
| Hamilton | Fri 16 Sept 2011 | New Zealand | Waikato Stadium |
| Whangarei | Wed 21 Sept 2011 | Tonga | Northland Events Centre |
| Napier | Tues 27 Sept 2011 | Canada | McLean Park |
Namibia
 |
Namibia has been playing international rugby since the early 1900s. As well as having competed at the World Cup, Namibia annually competes in the Africa Cup. As the lowest ranked team at the start of the 2007 World Cup, they were given no chance in their opening game of against Ireland. However, they frustrated Ireland, then the 5th ranked team in the world, and scored two tries for their narrowest world cup loss of 17-32. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Gisborne |
7 |
Sep 1 – Sep 7 |
|
Rotorua |
7 |
Sep 8 - Sep 14 |
|
Gisborne |
5 |
Sep 15 – Sep 19 |
|
Rodney |
3 |
Sep 20 – Sep 22 |
|
New Plymouth |
4 |
Sep 23 – Sep 26 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Rotorua | Sat 10 Sept 2011 | Fiji | Rotorua International Stadium |
| Rotorua | Wed 14 Sept 2011 | Samoa | Rotorua International Stadium |
| Auckland | Thurs 22 Sept 2011 | South Africa | North Harbour Stadium |
| New Plymouth | Mon 26 Sept 2011 | Wales | Stadium Taranaki |
New Zealand
 |
New Zealand are the number one ranked team in the IRB World Rankings and were named the International Rugby Board (IRB) Team of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2008. The team is also known as the All Blacks and traditionally perform a haka (Māori war dance) before each match. The team first competed in 1884 against Cumberland County, New South Wales, and played their first Test match in 1903, a victory against Australia. This was followed by a tour of the northern hemisphere in 1905. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Auckland |
7 |
Sep 3 – Sep 9 |
|
Hamilton |
7 |
Sep 10 – Sep 16 |
|
Auckland |
8 |
Sep 17 – Sep 24 |
|
Wellington |
8 |
Sep 25 – Oct 2 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Auckland | Fri 09 Sept 2011 | Tonga | Eden Park |
| Hamilton | Fri 16 Sept 2011 | Japan | Waikato Stadium |
| Auckland | Sat 24 Sept 2011 | France | Eden Park |
| Wellington | Sun 02 Oct 2011 | Canada | Wellington Regional Stadium |
Romania
 |
The Romania national rugby union team has long been considered one of the stronger European teams outside of the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups and currently compete in the first division of the European Nations Cup, where most recently in the 2008-2010 competition they finished third. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Ashburton |
6 |
Sep 1 – Sep 6 |
|
Invercargill |
4 |
Sep 7 – Sep 10 |
|
Queenstown |
4 |
Sep 11 – Sep 14 |
|
Invercargill |
3 |
Sep 15 – Sep 17 |
|
Dunedin |
8 |
Sep 18 – Sep 25 |
|
Palmerston North |
3 |
Sep 26 – Sep 28 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Invercargill | Sat 10 Sept 2011 | Scotland | Rugby Park |
| Invercargill | Sat 17 Sept 2011 | Argentina | Rugby Park |
| Dunedin | Sat 24 Sept 2011 | England | Otago Stadium |
| Palmeraton North | Wed 28 Sept 2011 | Georgia | Arena Manawatu |
Russia
 |
Russia compete regularly in the European Nations Cup, and more recently, in the IRB Nations Cup. The teams recent improvements came to the fore when they finished 2nd for the first time in their history in the 2006-2008 European Nations Cup First Division. They have cemented themselves in the top 20 nations in the world. As of November 23rd 2009 they are ranked 16th in the IRB World Rankings. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Blenheim |
7 |
Sep 6 – Sep 12 |
|
New Plymouth |
3 |
Sep 13 - Sep 15 |
|
Blenheim |
3 |
Sep 16 – Sep 18 |
|
Nelson |
2 |
Sep 19 – Sep 20 |
|
Tauranga/Mt. Maunganui |
3 |
Sep 21 – Sep 23 |
|
Rotorua |
4 |
Sep 24 – Sep 27 |
|
Nelson |
4 |
Sep 28 - Oct 1 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| New Plymouth | Thurs 15 Sept 2011 | USA | Stadium Taranaki |
| Nelson | Tues 20 Sept 2011 | Italy | Trafalgar Park |
| Rotorua | Sun 25 Sept 2011 | Ireland | Rotorua International Stadium |
| Nelson | Sat 01 Oct 2011 | Australia | Trafalgar Park |
Samoa
 |
In Samoa, the team is often called Manu Samoa, in honour of a famous Samoan warrior, and from 1924 to 1997 competed as Western Samoa. Samoa have been to every Rugby World Cup since the 1991 tournament. That tournament, along with the 1995 competition saw them make the quarterfinals. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Tauranga/Mt. Maunganui |
4 |
Sep 7 – Sep 10 |
|
Rotorua |
6 |
Sep 11 – Sep 16 |
|
Hamilton |
2 |
Sep 17 – Sep 18 |
|
Auckland |
7 |
Sep 19 - Sep 25 |
|
Rodney |
5 |
Sep 26 – Sep 30 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Rotorua | Wed 14 Sept 2011 | Namibia | Rotorua International Stadium |
| Hamilton | Sun 18 Sept 2011 | Wales | Waikato Stadium |
| Auckland | Sun 25 Sept 2011 | Fiji | Eden Park |
| Auckland | Fri 30 Sept 2011 | South Africa | North Harbour Stadium |
Scotland
 |
The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked ninth in the IRB World Rankings as at 22 March 2010, and makes up one quarter of the British and Irish Lions rugby team.Scotland have competed in all five Rugby World Cup competitions, the last being in 2007. Scotland's best finish came in 1991, where they lost to the All Blacks in the third place play-off. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Invercargill |
4 |
Sep 7 – Sep 14 |
Surrey Park |
Wellington |
11 |
Sep 15 – Sep 26 |
|
Auckland |
5 |
Sep 27 – Oct 1 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Invercargill | Sat 10 Sept 2011 | Romania | Rugby Park |
| Invercargill | Wed 14 Sept 2011 | Georgia | Rugby Park |
| Wellington | Sun 25 Sept 2011 | Argentina | Wellington Regional Stadium |
| Auckland | Sat 01 Oct 2011 | England | Eden Park |
South Africa
 |
The South African national rugby union team (the Springboks) are the current holders of the Rugby World Cup and the Tri-Nations Championship. Although South Africa was i nstrumental in the creation of the Rugby World Cup competition, the Springboks did not compete in the first two World Cups in 1987 and 1991 because of anti-apartheid sporting boycotts of South Africa. The team made its World Cup debut in 1995, when the newly democratic South Africa hosted the tournament. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Wellington |
17 |
Sep 1 – Sep 17 |
|
Taupo |
3 |
Sep 18 – Sep 20 |
|
North Shore |
2 |
Sep 21 - Sep 22 |
|
Taupo |
6 |
Sep 23 – Sep 28 |
|
North Shore |
2 |
Sep 29 – Sep 30 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Wellington | Sun 11 Sept 2011 | Wales | Wellington Regional Stadium |
| Wellington | Sat 18 Sept 2011 | Fiji | Wellington Regional Stadium |
| Auckland | Thurs 22 Sept 2011 | Namibia | North Harbour Stadium |
| Auckland | Fri 30 Sept 2011 | Samoa | North Harbour Stadium |
Tonga
 |
Rugby was brought to the region in the early 20th Century by sailors and missionaries and the Tonga Rugby Football Union was formed in late 1923. Tonga beat Fiji 9-6 in their first test in 1924 played in the capital Nukuʻalofa. However Tonga lost the second test 14-3 and drew the decider 0-0. In 2007 Tonga participated in the Rugby World Cup, winning 2 of their pool matches and nearly defeating the eventual champions, South Africa, in one of the most memorable and exciting games of the tournament, eventually going down 30-25. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Auckland |
5 |
Sep 7 – Sep 11 |
|
Whangarei |
10 |
Sep 12 – Sep 21 |
|
Bay of Islands |
4 |
Sep 22 – Sep 25 |
|
Wellington |
6 |
Sep 26 – Oct 1 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Auckland | Fri 09 Sept 2011 | New Zealand | Eden Park |
| Whangarei | Wed 14 Sept 2011 | Canada | Northland Events Centre |
| Whangarei | Wed 21 Sept 2011 | Japan | Northland Events Centre |
| Wellington | Sat 01 Oct 2011 | Tonga | Wellington Regional Stadium |
USA
 |
The USA national rugby team have qualified for four of the five Rugby World Cups, only missing out in 1995. At the 1987 World Cup they beat Japan but lost to Australia and England, in 1991 they lost all their games. In 1995 the Eagles defeated Canada on Canadian soil, for the first time ever by a score of 15-14. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Wanganui |
6 |
Sep 3 – Sep 8 |
|
New Plymouth |
10 |
Sep 9 – Sep 18 |
|
Wellington |
5 |
Sep 19 – Sep 23 |
|
Nelson |
4 |
Sep 24 – Sep 27 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| New Plymouth | Sun 11 Sept 2011 | Ireland | Stadium Taranaki |
| New Plymouth | Thurs 15 Sept 2011 | Russia | Stadium Taranaki |
| Nelson | Tues 20 Sept 2011 | Italy | Trafalgar Park |
| Wellington | Fri 23 Sept 2011 | Australia | Wellington Regional Stadium |
Wales
 |
The International Rugby Board (IRB) regards Wales as a tier one rugby nation, and ranks them eighth in the world as of 1 February 2010. They played in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 where they achieved their best ever result of third. Following the professionalisation of rugby in 1995, Wales hosted the 1999 World Cup. |  |
Training Schedule
CENTRE |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
Wellington |
9 |
Sep 3 – Sep 11 |
|
Taupo |
5 |
Sep 12 – Sep 16 |
|
Hamilton |
7 |
Sep 17 – Sep 23 |
|
New Plymouth |
3 |
Sep 24 – Sep 26 |
|
Hamilton |
6 |
Sep 27 – Oct 2 |
Playing Schedule
| Centre | Date | Playing | Venue |
| Wellington | Sun 11 Sept 2011 | South Africa | Wellington Regional Stadium |
| Hamilton | Sun 18 Sept 2011 | Samoa | Waikato Stadium |
| New Plymouth | Mon 26 Sept 2011 | Namibia | Stadium Taranaki |
| Hamilton | Sun 02 Oct 2011 | Fiji | Waikato Stadium |
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