Namibia kicked-off their RWC 2019 qualifying campaign with a bang, downing Uganda 55-6 in Windhoek. The match was the second of what as the opening day of Africa’s regional qualifying for RWC 2019. Competing in the Gold Cup are Namibia, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The six African countries are …
Read More »Spain Shock Romania in RWC Qualifier
Spain’s quest to qualify for a second RWC was greatly boosted today. Los Leones completed a shock 22-10 win over Romania in a RWC qualifier in Madrid. Having won last weekend away against Russia today’s result gives World Rugby and the RWC a shake-up. The result puts Spain in top …
Read More »Four Spots Remain for RWC 2019 – Who Can Qualify?
Only four Spots Remain for RWC 2019 – Who can qualify? There are opportunities for countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. They come in the form of (a) direct regional qualification and (b) repechage. Uruguay sealed the final spot in Pool D of RWC 2019. The South …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 3, Iss 5): Booking Rugby World Cup 2019
With Tonga qualifying for Japan 2019 this past weekend Pool C is complete. The Oceania side officially joined Argentina, England, France and the USA in the Pool of Death. This serves as a reminder of the need to book Rugby World Cup 2019 appropriately. Inappropriate Booking The existing model of …
Read More »24 Team Rugby World Cup ‘Far Away’
A 24 Team Rugby World Cup is ‘Far Away’. Unión de Rugby del Uruguay (URU) President Sebastián Piñeyrua noted to Ignacio Chans of Referi that the chances of expanding from 20 to 24 teams is unlikely. “I don’t believe that it would be so simple, the World Cup is already …
Read More »28 Countries Chasing 8 Vacancies at RWC 2019
There are a total of 28 countries chasing the remaining 8 vacancies at Rugby World Cup 2019. These countries are from all of World Rugby’s designated regions. In the case of the Americas the regions of Rugby Americas North and Sudamérica Rugby are combined for the purposes of Rugby World Cup …
Read More »Up and Under – RWC 2019 Special Edition
The pools are in. Rugby World Cup 2019 will be as exciting as any before. The spread of teams across the pools is relatively even, albeit there are winners as there are losers. In this special edition of Up and Under we put them under the microscope. UP Pool C It’s official, …
Read More »World Rugby announces changes to Eligibility regulations
The votes are in, and the changes promised and spearheaded by World Rugby Vice-Chairman Agustín Pichot have been made. In fact the changes to Regulation 8 regarding international regulations have gone beyond what was hoped. The changes not only affect residency but also the ‘capturing’ of u20 and sevens players. …
Read More »Set Your Alarms: Rugby World Cup 2019 Draw Tomorrow Morning
Set your alarm clocks. The draw for Rugby World Cup 2019 is to take place tomorrow morning. With the tournament being played in Japan the draw is to take place at 5pm local time. For the rugby public in the Americas it will require an early morning mid-week alarm. When? …
Read More »Rugby Given Wake-Up call as FIFA World Cup Expands to 48 Teams
Rugby has been given a wake-up call as the FIFA World Cup has expanded to 48 teams. Tuesday’s announcement that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be increased from 32 to 48 participants sees it having more than double that of rugby’s showpiece event. FIFA World Cup Expansion The FIFA …
Read More »