With the 2015 Rugby World Cup fast approaching, Last Word on Sports looks back at how the participating nations have fared in the previous seven tournaments from the inaugural in 1987 to the most recent in 2011. Today’s focus is Uruguay, who have appeared at two of the seven previous Rugby World Cups.
Rugby World Cup History: Uruguay
1987
Uruguay were not among the nine invited nations that joined the seven International Rugby Football Board members at the inaugural Rugby World Cup.
1991
Uruguay did not compete in the qualification or finals for the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
1995
Uruguay competed in qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 1995. Facing Argentina, Chile and Paraguay in the South American qualifying group, Uruguay started well defeating Paraguay comfortably 67-3 in Asunción. A home win against Chile in a tight 14-6 game, set up their final group match against Argentina as a winner takes all match, with the victor advancing to the next stage of qualifying. Unfortunately despite running the Pumas close, Los Teros were defeated 19-10 and eliminated.
1999
Seeded into Round 3 of the Americas qualifying for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Uruguay comfortably dispatched both Chile and Paraguay to advance to round 4, where they faced Argentina, Canada and the USA. Large defeats to Canada and Argentina in their first two games left Uruguay needing a win against the USA to secure automatic qualification for the finals. However a 21-16 defeat to the Americans meant that Los Teros would have to come through the repechage in order to make the finals. Uruguay defeated Portugal in the semi finals and then Morocco in the final to qualify for their first ever World Cup. Drawn against Scotland, South Africa and Spain in Pool A, Uruguay got off to a great start winning their first ever Rugby World Cup match 27-15 against Spain. A 43-12 defeat to Scotland left Los Teros needing an improbable win against holders South Africa to have any chance of advancing to the knockout stage. Unfortunately there was no Cinderella story as the Springboks were 39-3 winners and Uruguay were eliminated.
2003
Uruguay faced Canada, Chile and USA in the Americas qualifying group for the 2003 World Cup. Despite losing all three away ties, victory in their three home matches saw Uruguay secure second place and qualification to the finals. Drawn in Pool C with England, Georgia, Samoa and South Africa, Los Teros got off to an inauspicious start as they were outclassed by the Springboks 72-6. This was followed up with a large defeat to Samoa in their second game, however Uruguay then bounced back to defeat Georgia 24-12. Uruguay suffered their heaviest Rugby World Cup defeat in their final game as England ran out 111-13 winners and Los Teros were knocked out.
2007
Facing Argentina and Chile in the South American qualifying for the 2007 World Cup, Uruguay got off to a less than ideal start losing 26-0 to the Pumas. With Argentina already having won the group and qualified for the World Cup, Uruguay’s 43-15 win over Chile secured them a playoff with North American group runner up USA. Uruguay were unable to overcome the Americans, losing 75-20 on aggregate over two legs, and dropping into the repechage tournament. After losing their first leg to Portugal 12-5, Uruguay were unable to overcome the deficit in the second leg and despite winning the game 18-12, Los Teros were eliminated by a single point on aggregate.
2011
Qualification for the 2011 World Cup for South America Round 3a, into which Uruguay were seeded, was dependent on the teams positions in the first phase of the South American Championship. Although Paraguay were competing in the Championship, they had been eliminated in round 1 of qualifying and as such their results would not count towards the World Cup standings. Uruguay defeated Brazil 71-3 in their opening match before beating Chile 46-9 to advance to the Americas qualification playoff to face the USA. As in 2007 the Americans were the better side over the two legs and advanced to the finals while Los Teros headed to the repechage. Defeating Kazakhstan in the preliminary round, Uruguay moved on to face Romania over two legs for a place in the finals. After a 21-21 draw in Montevideo, Romania proved too strong for Los Teros in the return leg winning 39-12 and eliminating the Uruguayans.
Uruguay enter the Rugby World Cup as the least experienced team in terms of Rugby World Cup games played, however they have won more games than fellow minnows Namibia. Adding to their tally of World Cup wins does look like a daunting task as Los Teros have been drawn in the pool of death with England, Australia, Wales and Fiji.
To read more Rugby World Cup History click here
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