Pool B: Battle of the big guns
It will be one of the games of the pool rounds when South Africa and New Zealand go head to head. Whoever wins that game, wins this group.
Rugby World Cup
Pool A: Ireland’s to win but locals have big plans
Ireland are favourites to win the only pool that doesn’t feature a World Cup winner but host nation Japan will have the home support and Scotland can’t be written off.
Rugby World Cup rocked by betting scandal
Wales’ Rugby World Cup campaign has been thrown into disarray after coach Rob Howley was sent home immediately.
Wallabies $2 coin marks Rugby World Cup bid
Rugby fans are in for a treat with the release of a limited-edition coin to celebrate the Wallabies as they get ready for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
‘Farcical’ joke exposes wide open World Cup
Aussie rugby legends believe the Rugby World Cup is wide open in 2019 but a bizarre system makes a mockery of the sport.
Plan your viewing: Full 2019 RWC schedule
If you haven’t had enough already (and you haven’t) there is going to be plenty more couch time coming up over the next six weeks. Bring on the Rugby World Cup.
How to watch the Rugby World Cup
The countdown to the Rugby World Cup is on. Here’s everything you need to know, including how and when to watch.
How they did it: Stories behind the Cup winners
It is the hardest achievement in rugby. To win the the World Cup takes skill, commitment and some luck along the way.
Every squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup
It has almost arrived and here is your chance to study up on every squad that will be competing for the Webb Ellis Cup.
More pain ahead at Rugby World Cup
English rugby legend Stuart Barnes has a grim prediction for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the conundrum dividing the Wallabies.
No slip-ups: Wales turn to baby oil in World Cup preparation
Dealing with the extreme humidity during the Rugby World Cup in Japan will not be child’s play for any team, so Australia’s pool opponents Wales are keen to avoid slip-ups by splashing baby oil on balls in training.
Fancy yourself a rugby expert? Prove it by tackling our World Cup quiz
Rugby fans are getting feverish as we count down to the opening game of the World Cup in Japan on Friday. Fox Sports Lab has compiled a quiz to get yourself warmed up for the tournament.
Cheika bristles at Mortlock criticism after ‘perfect’ Wallabies build-up
Michael Cheika has described the Wallabies’ lead-up to the World Cup as “perfect” while hitting back at former skipper Stirling Mortlock, who lamented a predictable performance on attack.
All Blacks shoot down Sonny Bill injury rumours
The All Blacks have quashed rumours that star centre Sonny Bill Williams suffered a World Cup threatening injury, declaring him fit for selection in the crunch opener against South Africa.
RWC Countdown: No Wallabies wriggle room in Japan
The Wallabies must fire first up at the Rugby World Cup or risk suffering a Pacific-sized dent to their hopes of claiming a third title. Here’s a guide to Michael Cheika’s men ahead of the opener.
Wallabies’ ‘bias’ in major Cup headache
The World Cup is less than a week away and the Wallabies are definitely contenders. But a massive call could make the difference from day one.
Bluffer’s guide to the Rugby World Cup
This cheat’s guide with insider tips will help you get through the Rugby World Cup tournament at a pub, club or party.
Former Welsh rugby captain Thomas reveals he has HIV
Ex-Welsh rugby captain Gareth Thomas has revealed that he is living with HIV and wants to reduce the stigma surrounding the condition.
RWC Countdown: Wales seek final hurrah for Gatland
Wales head to the Rugby World Cup with genuine title aspirations after Warren Gatland’s side spent two weeks in late-August as the globally top-ranked team.
RWC Countdown: Wallabies great Kefu leads Tongan charge
Aside from a glorious upset win over France in 2011, Tonga have failed to impress at the Rugby World Cup, but coach Toutai Kefu is intent on changing that in Japan.
All Blacks bombshell: Young star out of World Cup, Frizell bolts in
The All Blacks have suffered an injury blow a week out from the start of the Rugby World Cup, with rookie flanker Luke Jacobson forced out of the tournament.
RWC Countdown: Soaring Eagles chase elusive World Cup breakthrough
The United States Eagles have never come close to threatening an upset in seven previous visits to the Rugby World Cup, and the odds of bucking that trend in Japan are stacked against them.
Springboks star under investigation over alleged assault, racial abuse
Prosecutors in South Africa are investigating if Springboks rugby player Eben Etzebeth was involved in an alleged assault and case of racial abuse a day before he was named in his country’s World Cup squad last month.
Why the Wallabies can win the Rugby World Cup — and why they probably won’t
The Wallabies have a terrific track record at the Rugby World Cup. But can Michael Cheika really conjure up another miracle in Japan? Here are the arguments for and against Australia.
The four Wallabies that simply have to fire at the World Cup
Yes, rugby is very much a team game. But these four Wallabies will have more pressure on their shoulders than the others as they hold the key to success at next week’s World Cup in Japan.
Two Wallabies greats disagree about the David Pocock dilemma
The legendary George Smith wants Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to persist with his recent backrow combo, even if it means leaving David Pocock on the bench. Owen Finegan disagrees.
RWC Countdown: Jaguares morph into Pumas for big game hunt
Argentina head to the Rugby World Cup relying heavily on the tried and tested, with their squad made up almost entirely of the Jaguares side that reached the Super Rugby final this season.
Enjoy these five giants of world rugby while you can
The Rugby World Cup has long been a stage for young talent to impose itself. But it also remains the ultimate theatre for the great actors of the game to lap up the plaudits and take their final curtain call.
‘Rugby’s Steve Smith’: The gun goalkickers to decide the World Cup
Jonah Lomu, David Campese and Bryan Habana hog the historical highlights but the 2019 Rugby World Cup could well be decided by these metronomes. And the Wallabies and All Blacks have some issues.
England great picks his World XV — and he’s got room for a Wallaby
Rugby World Cup winner turned Sky Sports pundit Will Greenwood has picked a fascinating World XV which includes three players from New Zealand and England and one Aussie.
Death is inevitable: Rugby great’s grim warning ahead of World Cup
“If something isn’t done soon, then a professional player will die during a game, in front of the TV cameras, and only then will people demand that steps must be taken.”
RWC Countdown: France’s proud pedigree and off-field turbulence
France has never won a Rugby World Cup yet has reached three finals and never failed to progress out of pool play. They arrive in Japan ranked eighth after some familiar off-field turbulence.
RWC Countdown: Super Rugby star spearheads Canada campaign
Chiefs forward Tyler Ardron will lead Canada at the Rugby World Cup for the second time following his injury hit appearance at the 2015 tournament in England.
Wallabies’ legend demands Foley start
For the Wallabies it might just be a case of going back to the future at the upcoming Rugby World Cup and backing in Bernard Foley.
Injured Wallabies enforcer in cotton wool ahead of RWC opener
Australia lock Adam Coleman is staying out of contact training to protect his thumb ahead of the Rugby World Cup opener against Fiji as a trio of snubbed players join the team to train in Japan.
This World Cup ‘Snub XV’ would beat most teams on the planet
The best rugby players on Earth are about to do battle at the World Cup in Japan. But there is some great talent that can count themselves desperately unlucky to only make our ‘Snub XV.’
Bring back Bernard: Kearns’ big call on Wallabies playmaker
Fox Sports’ Phil Kearns believes Bernard Foley shades Christian Lealiifano as the ideal Wallabies five-eighth at the Rugby World Cup and hopes a way can be found to restore the “Pooper” back row mix.
Fiji’s ‘undefendable Octopus’, Aussie teen gun: 5 World Cup stars to watch
The Wallabies open their Rugby World Cup campaign against a Fijian offloading freak but Australia has some exciting firepower of its own as we pinpoint five star players to watch in Japan.
World Cup heartbreak for Queensland young gun
Samoa and Reds halfback Scott Malolua has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a dislocated shoulder that he suffered on Test debut in Saturday’s warm-up loss to the Wallabies in Sydney.
RWC Countdown: Why you should be scared of Eddie Jones’ England
Embarrassing home soil flops in 2015, cantankerous Aussie coach Eddie Jones has transformed England to genuine 2019 Rugby World Cup contenders in Japan. Here’s what you need to know.
Lots to do: Italy still plotting Rugby World Cup pool escape
Conor O’Shea’s Italy face a herculean task to avoid another early Rugby World Cup flop heading into a tough Pool B that includes reigning champions New Zealand and South Africa.
Kolisi on historic mission as Boks go from ‘dark place to good space’
Siya Kolisi dreams of becoming the first black Springboks skipper to lift the Rugby World Cup trophy, and complete the remarkable transformation of the team from “a dark place to a good space.”
RWC 2019 Countdown: All Blacks plan to run, run, run in Japan heat
New Zealand scrumhalf Brad Weber believes the All Blacks’ high-tempo game will perfectly suit the hot and humid Japanese conditions as they seek to run opponents ragged in pursuit of a third straight World Cup.
RWC Countdown: ‘Sturdy desert plants’ are rugby’s rank outsiders
Rank outsiders Namibia hope Welsh coaches can help them end a 19-match losing streak since debuting in the Rugby World Cup 20 years ago.
RWC Countdown: Spotlight on Samoa as they cover up tattoos
Samoa coach Steve Jackson is so determined to avoid the off-field issues that have previously plagued the Pacific islanders that he called in Japanese cultural experts to advise his players when to cover up their tattoos during the World Cup.
$5001 outsiders: Rugby World Cup could get ugly for the Russians
Russia — including their former bobsleigh star — will compete in a second Rugby World Cup after three rival teams were docked points for fielding ineligible players in qualifying tournaments.
‘Moment of truth’: Super fit Japan aim high at Rugby World Cup
Japan coach Jamie Joseph promised the hosts would “give 150 per cent” to hit their target of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals after naming his 31-man squad.
RWC Countdown: Scotland out to bury Wallabies demons
Scotland is out to bury the painful memories of a quarterfinal exit against Australia four years ago as coach Gregor Townsend prepares to name his 2019 Rugby World Cup squad this week.
Rugby World Cup 2019 Countdown: Spotlight on Ireland
Ireland are fighting their Rugby World Cup demons and a worrying recent formline as they prepare for the 2019 tournament in Japan. Here’s the first of our countdown team previews.
Day of the underdog: 5 biggest upsets in Rugby World Cup history
While the bigger nations have dominated the eight editions of the Rugby World Cup, there have been some major surprises thrown up since the first tournament in 1987. Here are the top five.
Samoa win proved our World Cup hopes rest on one man’s shoulders
The Wallabies don’t have the same luxury as England. But they do have a tackle shredding star who will carry our hopes. Plus selection headaches and more in FIVE THINGS WE LEARNT.
Animal oracle to pick World Cup winner
Owen the pink, psychic axolotl has been recruited to lend his predictions for the Rugby World Cup.
90-Test Wallabies veteran calls it quits
Long-time Wallabies star Tatafu Polota-Nau is set to play his final Test ahead of the in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up Test against Samoa.
All Blacks respond to ‘cheats’ tag
The gamesmanship has begun ahead of rugby’s World Cup but the All Blacks could not care less about those slandering their game.
Wales’ reign comes crashing down
Wales’ controversial reign at the top of World Rugby’s rankings has been short-lived following a stunning loss to Ireland in Cardiff.
Star’s shot at unprecedented hat-trick
Sonny Bill Williams believes he has the fitness and improved maturity to play a pivotal role in New Zealand’s hunt for a fourth Rugby World Cup triumph.
‘Massive shock’: Springboks’ drug blow
A South African rugby union player and Test player is facing a long-term ban after a positive drug test, despite pleading his innocence.
All Blacks’ World Cup bombshells
The All Blacks have made some massive calls in their 31-man Rugby World Cup squad with three big names missing the cut.
Why Wallabies giant spurned World Cup
Former Wallabies lock Will Skelton has described his decision to turn down Michael Cheika’s offer to join Australia as a “no-brainer.”
Former Rebels star eyes World Cup despite vicious assault charge
Ex-Melbourne Rebels backrower Amanaki Mafi has been called into Japan’s extended Rugby World Cup training squad despite facing an assault charge from his time at the Super Rugby club.
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