The 2003 Rugby Union World Cup was the fifth world cup in rugby history. It was won by England. Originally planned to be played in Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World Cup Limited. Rugby Union is a team sport that was developed from the rules used to play football at Rugby School in England. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ...

Twenty countries were represented at this event. The eight quarter-finalists from the 1999 Rugby Union World Cup all received automatic entry, with the other twelve teams selected from a qualifying series around the world. Results of the 1999 Rugby World Cup Final Saturday, November 6, 1999 Cardiff, Wales: Australia 35 - France 12 Third Place Thursday, November 4, 1999 Cardiff, Wales: South Africa 22 - New Zealand 18 Semifinals Saturday, October 30, 1999 Twickenham, England: South Africa 21 - Australia 27 Sunday, October 31, 1999 Twickenham, England...

The teams were divided into four pools of five countries, with the top two in each pool moving on to the knockout quarter-final stage.

Review of the Tournament

The pre-event favourites were England and New Zealand, with France, defending champions Australia and South Africa all expected to make strong showings.

Group stage

Early in the competition there was some criticism in the Australian media of mismatches when "minnow" countries were crushed by the rugby superpowers by 60 points or more. On the other hand, Japan, not a favoured team, acquitted themselves well in their opening matches against Scotland and France, although eventually being defeated. There were also reports of the South Pacific island countries of Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa being handicapped through several of their players who play abroad being warned that their contracts would not be renewed if they played in the competition.

In the event, the group stage of the competition played out largely as expected, with only some tension as to whether some of the "developing" nations would overtake some of the weaker major countries for the second quarterfinal qualification place in each pool -- in pool A, Argentina lost to Ireland by only one point, which would otherwise have carried them into the quarterfinals in Ireland's place; similarly in pool B Fiji lost out to Scotland by only two points, while Italy put up a good performance in pool D. Many matches were rather one-sided, but with a number of exciting matches - with Samoa giving England a fright before conceding points at the end of the match (however, this match could be deemded contoversial given the momentary appearance of a sixteenth player on the field by England which, given this not allowed player made a crucial tackle to stop a try, could have changed the match reults), the South Africa - England match was a classic before England asserted themselves at the end of the match (and showing that the reorganisation of domestic rugby in South Africa since 1997 has tended to weaken the Springboks). Similarly the Australia - Ireland match was a classic match and Wales' performance against New Zealand demonstrated that the All Blacks, who were previously thought to be undefeatable, had a weak defence, while also showing that Wales were reviving from the long decline since their glory days of the 1970s.

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Group tables

Four points for a win. Two points for a draw. One bonus point (BP) for scoring four tries. One bonus point for losing by seven points or fewer. Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages with Official Status1 English Scottish Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English, Welsh Capital Cardiff Largest city Cardiff First Minister Rhodri Morgan Area  - Total Ranked 3rd UK 20,779 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 3rd UK 2,903,085 140/km² Ethnicity: 97. ...

Matches were played in these Australian Cities:

• Sydney (Aussie Stadium, Telstra Stadium)
• Melbourne (Telstra Dome)
• Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
• Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
• Perth (Subiaco Oval)
• Townsville (Dairy Farmers Stadium)
• Gosford (Central Coast Stadium)
• Wollongong (WIN Stadium)
• Canberra (Bruce Stadium)
• Launceston (York Park)

Sydney Harbour looking south from the vicinity of the Sydney Harbour Bridge towards the CBD skyline; the Opera House is visible in the background on the left. ... The Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) was built in 1988 to be the premium football stadium in Sydney. ... This page is for Telstra Stadium, Sydney. ... Melbournes population is around 3. ... This page is for Telstra Dome, Melbourne. ... This article is about the Australian city. ... See also, Lang Park Queenslands Premier Sports Stadium Suncorp Stadium is a 52,500 seat, world class state-of-the-art sports venue with a capacity for a range of uses including local and international rugby league, rugby union and football. ... Adelaide skyline as seen from Victoria Square The Adelaide CBD as seen from the Mount Lofty Ranges Adelaide is the capital city of the Australian state of South Australia. ... Categories: Adelaide | Australian cricket grounds | Stadiums | Cricket stubs ... Perth is the capital city of Western Australia. ... Subiaco Oval is the major football stadium in Perth, Western Australia, located in the suburb of Subiaco, a few kilometres west of Perths city centre. ... Townsville in 2004. ... Gosford Country: Australia State: New South Wales Location: 33°22′ S 151°20′ E Gosford Council Area: 940. ... Central Coast Stadium is a football stadium in the district of Gosford, in New South Wales, Australia. ... Wollongong is an industrial city located on the eastern coast of Australia in the state of New South Wales. ... Canberra is the capital of the Commonwealth of Australia and, with a population of just over 323,000, is also Australias largest inland city. ... Canberra Stadium, originally known as Bruce Stadium, is a stadium primarily used for football in Canberra, the capital of Australia. ... Launceston City Council, Coat of Arms Launceston City Council, Tasmania Launceston is a small city in the north of Tasmania, Australia, population of approximately 98,000, located at the juncture of the North Esk, South Esk, and Tamar rivers. ...

Results

Group stage

• October 10: Pool A: Australia - Argentina (24 - 8)

• October 11: Pool A: Ireland - Romania (45 - 17)
• October 11: Pool B: France - Fiji (61 - 18)
• October 11: Pool C: South Africa - Uruguay (72 - 6)
• October 11: Pool D: New Zealand - Italy (70 - 7)

• October 12: Pool B: Scotland - Japan (32 - 11)
• October 12: Pool C: England - Georgia (84 - 6)
• October 12: Pool D: Wales - Canada (41 - 10)

• October 14: Pool A: Argentina - Namibia (67 - 14)

• October 15: Pool B: Fiji - USA (19 - 18)
• October 15: Pool C: Samoa - Uruguay (60 - 13)
• October 15: Pool D: Italy - Tonga (36 - 12)

• October 17: Pool D: New Zealand - Canada (68 - 6)

• October 18: Pool A: Australia - Romania (90 - 8)
• October 18: Pool B: France - Japan (51 - 29)
• October 18: Pool C: South Africa - England (6 - 25)

• October 19: Pool A: Ireland - Namibia (64 - 7)
• October 19: Pool C: Georgia - Samoa (9 - 46)
• October 19: Pool D: Wales - Tonga (27 - 20)

• October 20: Pool B: Scotland - USA (39 - 15)

• October 21: Pool D: Italy - Canada (19 - 14)

• October 22: Pool A: Argentina - Romania (50 - 3)

• October 23: Pool B: Fiji - Japan (41 - 13)

• October 24: Pool C: South Africa - Georgia (46 - 19)
• October 24: Pool D: New Zealand - Tonga (91 - 7)

• October 25: Pool A: Australia - Namibia (142 - 0) (2nd highest World Cup score ever (New Zealand 145 - Japan 17 in 1995 is record) but the highest score difference.)
• October 25: Pool B: France - Scotland (51 - 9)
• October 25: Pool D: Italy - Wales (15 - 27)

• October 26: Pool A: Argentina - Ireland (15 - 16)
• October 26: Pool C: England - Samoa (35 - 22)

• October 27: Pool B: Japan - USA (26 - 39)

• October 28: Pool C: Georgia - Uruguay (12 - 24)

• October 29: Pool D: Canada - Tonga (24 - 7)

• October 30: Pool A: Romania - Namibia (37 - 7)

• October 31: Pool B: France - USA (41 - 14)

• November 1: Pool A: Australia - Ireland (17 - 16)
• November 1: Pool B: Scotland - Fiji (22 - 20)
• November 1: Pool C: South Africa - Samoa (60 - 10)

• November 2: Pool D: New Zealand - Wales (53 - 37)
• November 2: Pool C: England - Uruguay (111 - 13)

October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in Leap years). ... October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in Leap years). ... October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in Leap years). ... October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in Leap years). ... October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in Leap years). ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages with Official Status1 English Scottish Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English, Welsh Capital Cardiff Largest city Cardiff First Minister Rhodri Morgan Area  - Total Ranked 3rd UK 20,779 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 3rd UK 2,903,085 140/km² Ethnicity: 97. ... October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in Leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. ... October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in Leap years). ... October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in Leap years). ... October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in Leap years). ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... October 19 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... October 19 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... October 19 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English, Welsh Capital Cardiff Largest city Cardiff First Minister Rhodri Morgan Area  - Total Ranked 3rd UK 20,779 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 3rd UK 2,903,085 140/km² Ethnicity: 97. ... October 20 is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 72 days remaining. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages with Official Status1 English Scottish Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... October 21 is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 71 days remaining. ... October 22 is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 70 days remaining. ... October 23 is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 69 days remaining. ... October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 68 days remaining. ... October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 68 days remaining. ... October 25 is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 67 days remaining. ... October 25 is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 67 days remaining. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages with Official Status1 English Scottish Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... October 25 is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 67 days remaining. ... National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English, Welsh Capital Cardiff Largest city Cardiff First Minister Rhodri Morgan Area  - Total Ranked 3rd UK 20,779 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 3rd UK 2,903,085 140/km² Ethnicity: 97. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ... October 28 is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 64 days remaining. ... October 29 is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 63 days remaining. ... October 30 is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 62 days remaining. ... October 31 is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 61 days remaining, as the final day of October. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages with Official Status1 English Scottish Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English, Welsh Capital Cardiff Largest city Cardiff First Minister Rhodri Morgan Area  - Total Ranked 3rd UK 20,779 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 3rd UK 2,903,085 140/km² Ethnicity: 97. ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ...

Knock-out stages

Quarter finalists automatically qualify for the 2007 Rugby Union World Cup. The 2007 Rugby Union World Cup will be the sixth world cup in rugby history, hosted by France in the autumn of 2007. ...

• November 8: Quarter-final 1: (Winner Pool D - Runner-up Pool C) New Zealand - South Africa (29 - 9)
• November 8: Quarter-final 2: (Winner Pool A - Runner-up Pool B) Australia - Scotland (33 - 16)

• November 9: Quarter-final 3: (Winner Pool B - Runner-up Pool A) France - Ireland (43 - 21)
• November 9: Quarter-final 4: (Winner Pool C - Runner-up Pool D) England - Wales (28 - 17)

• November 15: Semi-final 1: (Winner QF1 - Winner QF2) New Zealand - Australia (10 - 22)
• November 16: Semi-final 2: (Winner QF3 - Winner QF4) France - England (7 - 24)

• November 20: 3rd place playoff: (Loser SF1 - Loser SF2) New Zealand - France (40 - 13)

• November 22: Final: (Winner SF1 - Winner SF2) Australia - England ( 17 - 20 (after extra time))

November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 53 days remaining. ... November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 53 days remaining. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages with Official Status1 English Scottish Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English, Welsh Capital Cardiff Largest city Cardiff First Minister Rhodri Morgan Area  - Total Ranked 3rd UK 20,779 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 3rd UK 2,903,085 140/km² Ethnicity: 97. ... November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... November 22 is the 326th day (327th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ...

See also

• Rugby Union World Cup

The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby Union contest in the world, first held jointly in Australia and New Zealand in 1987 and now held every four years. ...