Rugby World Cup interesting facts

Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup throws up a lot of good content but did you know any of these obscure facts and information?

Robert Rees brings you some interesting facts about teams at this year’s World Cup.

Tonga vs England

Toutai Kefu -Tonga’s Head Coach – is 100% in meetings with Eddie Jones (1-0) having defeated Jones in the 2012 Pacific Nations Cup 24-20 with Tonga versus Japan.

Ireland

No side has won more Rugby World Cup games and yet failed to reach a semi-final, 21.

Japan

Two of the top World Rugby try scorers are Japanese. First place, Daisuke Ohata, 69 tries in 58 appearances and in fifth place Hiritoki Onozawa, 55 tries in 81 appearances.

Super Saturday with International rugby at the forefront
HIGASHIOSAKA, JAPAN – AUGUST 03: Japanese supporters cheer prior to the Pacific Nations Cup match between Japan and Tonga at Hanazono Rugby Staidum on August 3, 2019 in Higashiosaka, Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

Namibia

No side has played more Rugby World Cup games without winning – 19.

Italy

Sergio Parisse will become just the third player to appear at five Rugby World Cup’s. The first being Samoa’s Brian Lima and the second Italy’s Mauro Bergamasco.

South Africa

The Springboks hold the record for most consecutive Rugby World Cup matches without conceding a try – Six.

Springbok Rugby Legend Bryan Habana
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 07: (Re-transmission of #491690038 with alternative crop) Bryan Habana of South Africa goes over for their third try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and USA at Olympic Stadium on October 7, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Argentina

Two Pumas have finished as ‘Golden Boot’ (Top points scorers) at a Rugby World Cup. Gonzalo Quesada, 1999, 102 points and Nicolas Sanchez, 2015, 97 points.

England

Only the hosts Wales and the top three from the 1995 World Cup automatically qualified for the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

England had to play European qualifiers beating Italy 23-15 and the Netherlands 110-0.

Tonga

They planned to play a game with green dyed hair during the 2007 campaign to thank sponsor Paddy power but the tournament organisers banned them.

Tonga Rugby World Cup performance tough to Predict
Tonga’s teammates talk together during the test union international match between Japan and Tonga, on November 18, 2017, at the Ernest Wallon Stadium in Toulouse, southwestern France. / AFP PHOTO / REMY GABALDA (Photo credit should read REMY GABALDA/AFP/Getty Images)

USA

A player has scored hat-trick against the USA on five occasions, including Keith Wood’s four in 1999.

Australia

Prop James Slipper’s 86-game try-less run is the second longest dry spell in test match history. Only All Blacks international (Not at the 2019 RWC) Owen Franks’ 107 betters it.

Fiji

They played their first ever test match in 1924 against Samoa. The game kicked off at 7am local time so their opponents could go to work afterwards and they played in barefeet and won 6-0.

Fiji Rugby World Cup expectations
ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 20: Fiji fans during the second test match between the Maori All Blacks and Fiji at Rotorua International Stadium on July 20, 2019 in Rotorua, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Georgia

Georgia have never missed a conversion in Rugby World Cup history, kicking 14/14.

Wales

Wales have scored a try in 19 consecutive World Cup games, a feat only bettered by New Zealand’s current run of 26 games.

 

“Main photo credit”