Rugby World Cup 2011
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WELLINGTON CITY — Australia will wait 48 hours before deciding whether or not to call in replacements for their players who were injured in Friday's win over USA.
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TAUPO — Giant second row Bakkies Botha is unlikely to play in South Africa's Pool D match against Samoa on Friday after aggravating an achilles tendon injury.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Namibia head coach Johan Diergaardt on Saturday announced his team to play their last match of Pool D against Wales at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth on Monday, 26 September.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Samoa and Fiji are under no illusions as to the importance of winning their pool D match at Eden Park on Sunday to keep their Rugby World Cup dreams alive in what is expected to be a battle of the forwards for Pacific island bragging rights.
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NEW PLYMOUTH — On earth Namibia and South Africa are very close, the only African countries at Rugby World Cup 2011 even share a border.
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WELLINGTON CITY — An Argentina side slowly building to business as usual will take on a Scotland side promising anything but, in their crucial third Pool B match on Sunday.
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AUCKLAND CITY — When it comes to selection, the French do things a little diferently.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Samoa fly half Tusi Pisi and prop Census Johnston are in accord that they have to beat Fiji up front at Eden Park on Sunday in a match neither team can afford to lose.
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NELSON — Italy are relying on the skills of a South African to give them the steel to reach the quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup 2011.
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Australia put their defeat to Ireland behind them as they ran out 67-5 victors against a plucky USA side at Wellington Regional Stadium.
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WELLINGTON CITY — Australia may have to call a replacement into their squad after their 67-5 victory over an outgunned but still feisty USA at Wellington Regional Stadium.
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TAURANGA — Two days ahead of Sunday’s encounter with Ireland at Rotorua International Stadium, the Russian team have made substantial changes to the starting XV from the previous pool match against Italy.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Richie McCaw says he is not nostalgic but some time down the line he will look back on Saturday's Rugby World Cup match against France with rose-tinted glasses.
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WELLINGTON CITY — Australia captain Will Genia hailed his team's tactical nous on a record-breaking night against USA on Friday.
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WELLINGTON CITY — Argentina fans can breathe a sigh of relief with the return from injury of inspirational captain Felipe Contepomi for Sunday's crucial Pool B match with Scotland.
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WELLINGTON CITY — After being mugged 15-6 by a fiercely focused Ireland in their previous Pool C match, Australia know better than to be lulled into complacency by a silver-tongued Irishman.
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AUCKLAND CITY — New Zealand have sat atop the IRB World Rankings for more weeks than any other country since their introduction in October 2003, but defeat by France in their much anticipated Rugby World Cup 2011 encounter on Saturday will see them relinquish that position to Les Bleus.
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AUCKLAND CITY — A night of drama is assured when Eden Park stages the clash between Pool A leaders New Zealand and France on Saturday night.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Russia head coach Nikolay Nerush on Friday announced his team to play their third Pool C match against Ireland at Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua on Sunday, 25 September.
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NAPIER — Japan may be known as the Brave Blossoms, but they have been a thorn in the side of Canadians since the last Rugby World Cup.
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ROTORUA — Ireland coach Declan Kidney has described allegations that his team deliberately faked injuries against Australia in their Pool C upset as "incredulous and slightly scandalous".
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NELSON — Italy have called up hooker Franco Sbaraglini to replace Tommaso D'Apice, who was forced to return to Italy with a knee injury.
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HAMILTON — Wales' Leigh Halfpenny is a small man playing a big man's game, but he would not have it any other way.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Fiji coach Samu Domoni has put his faith in veteran fly half Nicky Little and the depth of his forwards for the Pool D match against Samoa at Eden Park on Sunday.
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DUNEDIN — The man who came within millimetres of turning the tide for England in the 2007 final will take to the Rugby World Cup field for the first time since that night in Paris, with the message that the game has changed in the four years since.
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Ireland head coach Declan Kidney on Friday announced his team to play their third Pool C match against Russia at Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua on Sunday, 25 September.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Samoa head coach Titimaea Tafua on Friday announced his team to play their third Pool D match against Fiji at Eden Park, Auckland on Sunday, 25 September.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Argentina head coach Santiago Phelan on Friday announced his team to play their third Pool B against Scotland at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington on Sunday, 25 September.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Fiji head coach Samu Domoni on Friday announced his team to play their third Pool D match against Samoa at Eden Park, Auckland, on Sunday, 25 September.
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ROTORUA — Locals attending Saturday’s Rugby World Cup 2011 Fanzone at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre are in for an extra treat as Team Russia makes a special guest appearance on the night.
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NELSON — Gonzalo Canale is one of several players who is happy to play a different position in Italy's back line than he does for his club.
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Thursday saw South Africa record the biggest win of any team so far at RWC 2011, with their 87-0 defeat of Namibia.
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AUCKLAND CITY — South Africa’s campaign to become the first back-to-back world champions gathered momentum when they recorded their largest Rugby World Cup win with an 87-0 victory over Namibia at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday.
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AUCKLAND CITY — South Africa overcame an error-ridden first half to finish strongly and rack up the tries in an 87-0 victory over Namibia at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday night.
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AUCKLAND CITY — A look at the lighter side of Rugby World Cup 2011. The numbers 2 - On Friday, Papua New Guinea-born Will Genia will captain Australia and Australia-born Tim Usasz will captain USA in the first RWC match featuring two foreign-born captains since 1999 (Samoa v Japan).
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AUCKLAND CITY — France forward Pascal Papé will use the controversy stirred up by sections of the New Zealand media over the team to face the All Blacks as extra motivation to secure victory on Saturday.
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NELSON — Tommaso D'Apice has been withdrawn from Italy's Rugby World Cup 2011 squad after an MRI scan on Thursday showed he had injured ligaments in his left knee and would need 21 days' rest.
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NAPIER — It may read Canada v Japan on Tuesday night's fixture list but in the battle of the coaches it will be Kiwi facing Kiwi.
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TAURANGA — History-making Russia scrum half Alexander Yanyushkin seriously doubted his chances of appearing at Rugby World Cup 2011 just a few months ago because of a serious injury.
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WELLINGTON CITY — After being mugged 15-6 by a fiercely focused Ireland in their previous Pool C match, Australia know better than to be lulled into complacency by a silver-tongued Irishman.
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CARTERTON — It's not every day that the president of a national rugby union swaps his team tie for an apron and a pair of tongs.
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WELLINGTON CITY — Scotland have again omitted their tournament captain Alastair Kellock in picking a team to challenge Argentina both up front and out wide in their Pool B Rugby World Cup 2011 match at Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday.
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AUCKLAND CITY — England manager Martin Johnson on Thursday named his team to play Romania in their third Pool B match at Otago Stadium, Dunedin on Saturday, 24 September.
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DUNEDIN — Romania have made a record 11 changes in their starting XV to play England in a Pool B match on Saturday but coach Romeo Gontineac says that the shake-up is all about giving his players exposure at the top level.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Romania head coach Romeo Stefan Gontineac on Thursday named his team to play England in their third Pool B match at Otago Stadium, Dunedin on Saturday, 24 September.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Scotland head coach Andy Robinson on Thursday named his team to play Argentina in their third Pool B match at Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday, 25 September.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Ties of friendship and family will count for nothing when the close-knit Pacific Islands of Samoa and Fiji do battle to keep their Rugby World Cup hopes alive at Eden Park on Sunday.
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AUCKLAND CITY — New Zealand head coach Graham Henry on Thursday named his team to play France in their third Pool A match at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday, 24 September.
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WELLINGTON CITY — Argentina are pinning their hopes on having their inspirational captain Felipe Contepomi back for Sunday's Pool B match against Scotland at Wellington Regional Stadium.
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MASTERTON — If Georgia win their next match against Romania in Palmerston North, they will probably credit the home-cooked meals they’ve had at Masterton.
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Tonga recorded their first victory of RWC 2011 in a fast-paced Pool A clash against Japan at Northland Events Centre, Whangarei.
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WHANGAREI — Tonga wing Fetu'u Vainikolo has scored plenty of tries at Northland Events Centre, but none compares to the one with which he sealed the Sea Eagles' 31-18 win against Japan on Wednesday.
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NELSON — Andrea Masi hopes to use insider knowledge to blunt the threat of USA and help secure Italy their second bonus point.
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WHANGAREI — Kurt Morath revealed his diligence on the training pitch was the key to Tonga’s first win of Rugby World Cup 2011 in a fast-paced Pool A clash with Japan on Wednesday.
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WELLINGTON CITY — Brisbane-born Tim Usasz will captain a new-look USA team for the first time when they play Australia in their Pool C match at Wellington Regional Stadium on Friday.
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WHANGAREI — A frenetic first half ended with Tonga 18-13 ahead of Japan as both teams chased their first win of Rugby World Cup 2011 at Northland Events Centre on Wednesday.
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WELLINGTON CITY — Papua New Guinea-born scrum half Will Genia will captain Australia for the first time when they play USA in the Pool C match at Wellington Regional Stadium on Friday.
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HAMILTON — Wales are keeping close tabs on a mounting injury toll as they prepare to face Namibia in their Pool D match at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth on Monday.
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TAUPO — Ireland veteran Ronan O'Gara has played down speculation he will retire at the end of his country's Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign.
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AUCKLAND CITY — New Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen said the All Blacks would give France the utmost respect in their much-anticipated Pool A match at Eden Park on Saturday night. That is despite claims the French have named a second-string team.
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AUCKLAND CITY — When Namibian wing Heine Bock takes to the field against South Africa at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday, he will be focused on the game but also thinking about his family at home.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Namibia will be banking on experience to strengthen their defence when they face African neighbours South Africa at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday.
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NAPIER — Canada, who came into the RWC 2011 ranked 14th in the world, are a team on the move.
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DUNEDIN — With the years ticking by, Romania's Daniel Carpo is hoping Rugby World Cup 2011 will be the showcase that helps catapult him from home-based rugby to the international club scene.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Australia head coach Robbie Deans on Wednesday announced his team to play their third Pool C match against USA at Wellington Regional Stadium on Friday.
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AUCKLAND CITY — USA head coach Eddie O'Sullivan on Wednesday announced his team to play their third Pool C match against Australia at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington on Friday, 23 September.
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WHANGAREI — Japan centre Koji Taira on Wednesday pulled out of Rugby World Cup 2011 after suffering a left hamstring injury.
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WELLINGTON CITY — A hamstring strain suffered in Australia's 15-6 loss to Ireland has ruled wing James O'Connor out of contention for the Pool C Rugby World Cup 2011 match against USA at Wellington Regional Stadium on 23 September.
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DUNEDIN — Romania captain Marius Tincu, on the verge of winning his 50th cap, has been hailed as one of the best players at Rugby World Cup 2011 by fellow hooker, England's Steve Thompson.
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It was the event of the month, or even the year, when three members of the Tonga team dropped in on Ranburn Rest Home Hospital and Village in Waipu.
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NELSON — Italy's backline responded with elan to the challenge laid down to them by coach Nick Mallett to help the side to a much needed 53-17 bonus-point victory over Russia.
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TAUPO — Hooker Rory Best says Ireland's historic Rugby World Cup victory over Australia will mean nothing if his team does not perform strongly against Russia this weekend.
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NELSON — Italy coach Nick Mallett was relieved to see his side sweep past Russia 53-17 to leave them on course for a Pool C showdown with Ireland.
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NELSON — Two tries apiece for Tommaso Benvenuti and Giulio Toniolatti plus a towering performance from Sergio Parisse saw Italy notch a resounding 53-17 win over Russia on Tuesday.
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DUNEDIN — Cristian Petre will be hoping for a better outcome in his 84th Test than his debut match when Romania play England at Otago Stadium on Saturday evening.
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CHRISTCHURCH — All Blacks number 8 Kieran Read says he is fed up with watching the action from the sidelines and is keen to put the injury frustration that has kept him out of Rugby World Cup 2011 behind him.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Namibia are well aware of the challenge posed by world champions South Africa but there is no shortage of self-belief ahead of their Pool D match at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday.
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NELSON — New Zealand and rugby are as synonymous as bacon and eggs because in 1870 Charles Monro returned south from studying in England with a love of the game, some oval-shaped balls and a rule book.
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NELSON — <p>Italy coach Nick Mallett has laid down the challenge to his team to score the four tries they need to secure a bonus point against Russia in their second Rugby World Cup 2011 match.</p> <p>Mallett has made 12 changes to the team that lost the opening match 32-6 to Australia.
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NAPIER — Canada coach Kieran Crowley may not have liked the scoreline in Sunday's clash with France but at least he has been consoled by a clean bill of health.
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WELLINGTON CITY — Australia's coaching co-ordinator David Nucifora insists the Wallaby scrum is fundamentally sound but was let down by inconsistency and a lack of application against Ireland.
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TAUPO — South Africa hooker Bismarck du Plessis is brutally honest when asked how he feels about sitting on the bench.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Dominiko Maiwiriwiri Waqaniburotu of Fiji has been suspended for three weeks after admitting an act of foul play contrary to Law 10(4)(j).
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AUCKLAND CITY — Namibia head coach Johan Diergaardt on Tuesday announced his team to play their third Pool D match against South Africa at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday, 22 September.
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GISBORNE — Namibia captain Jacques Burger is a big fan of wing Danie van Wyk.
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GISBORNE — Namibia captain Jacques Burger is a big fan of wing Danie van Wyk.
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AUCKLAND CITY — There is a little more than Pacific island rivalry when Fiji play Samoa at Eden Park on Sunday.
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AUCKLAND CITY — A spotlight on the hot topics at Rugby World Cup 2011. The subject on everyone's lips in the first week of Rugby World Cup 2011 was the performance of the less-fancied nations.
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TAUPO — Wing Bryan Habana is on the verge of becoming South Africa's most prolific try-scorer, but he's been happy to bide his time in the interests of the team.
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WHANGAREI — Tonga and Japan are both confident they can win their third Pool A clash on Wednesday at Northland Events Centre after going down in their first two matches at Rugby World Cup 2011.
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WELLINGTON CITY — It's going to be a big weekend in Wellington as the city gets set to play host to the first of three rugby double-headers.
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TAUPO — South Africa captain John Smit promised the Springboks would maintain the rage on Thursday when they take on one of the lesser nations, Namibia, in the Pool D match in Auckland.
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AUCKLAND CITY — France head coach Marc Lièvremont on Tuesday announced his team to play New Zealand in their third Pool A match at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday, 24 September.
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MASTERTON — After a 15-6 defeat to Scotland and a competitive match against England where the 41-10 scoreline did not reflect their endeavour, head coach Richie Dixon is confident Georgian rugby is at least showing its potential.
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