Rugby World Cup 2011

NEW PLYMOUTH — Ireland scrum half Conor Murray will make his full international debut when Ireland meet USA in their opening Pool C match at Stadium Taranaki on Sunday.

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WAITANGI — Canada centre Ryan Smith will always remember the Canucks' win against Tonga in Wollongong in 2003, the last time the two teams met at a Rugby World Cup.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Tournament organisers today announced that the giant Webb Ellis Cup which featured in last night’s Opening Ceremony for the seventh Rugby World Cup would be gifted to Christchurch.

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AUCKLAND CITY — New Zealand have plenty to work on following their 41-10 win over Tonga, with coach Graham Henry giving his side five out of 10 for their performance at Eden Park on Friday.

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BLENHEIM — Russia’s youngest player, full back Denis Simplikevich, received a late invitation to Rugby World Cup 2011 but seems confident about his possible international debut.

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AUCKLAND CITY — The opening day of Rugby World Cup 2011 saw hosts New Zealand beat Tonga 41-10 at Eden Park in Auckland in front of 60,214 people.

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NEW PLYMOUTH — US Eagles prop Mike MacDonald is preparing himself for a barrage of mixed emotions when he takes the field for his team’s opening match against Ireland at Stadium Taranaki on Sunday.

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QUEENSTOWN — Don Caskie won't say so but he has arguably one of the toughest jobs at Rugby World Cup 2011.

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AUCKLAND CITY — If Italy are to progress to the quarter-finals of a Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history in New Zealand, Mirco Bergamasco will be central to their hopes.

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KAIKOHE — Canada recorded a narrow victory over a strong New Zealand side on the opening day of Rugby World Cup 2011.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Japan's Justin Ives was replaced on Friday by Yuji Kitagawa as the New Zealand-born second row struggles to recover from an injury in his left knee.

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AUCKLAND CITY — New Zealand kicked off Rugby World Cup 2011 with a display of pace and power to see off Pool A opponents Tonga 41-10.

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AUCKLAND CITY — <p>A lighter look at what is happening at Rugby World Cup 2011.

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AUCKLAND CITY — In front of 60,000 fans at Eden Park, Rugby World Cup 2011 was officially opened amid spectacular fireworks and pageantry.

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DUNEDIN — England and Argentina will step into the future at the state-of-the-art Otago Stadium for their opening Pool B Rugby World Cup 2011 match on Saturday.

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NEW PLYMOUTH — Only 27 days into his international career, scrum half Conor Murray has forced his way into the Ireland team against the USA on Sunday.

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WELLINGTON CITY — Wales have returned to what worked for them against England three weeks ago in naming their side for their Pool D opener against South Africa at Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday.

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AUCKLAND CITY — USA head coach Eddie O'Sullivan on Friday announced his team to play their opening match in Pool C against Ireland at Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth, on Sunday, 11 September.

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AUCKLAND CITY — It has taken some time for Wallaby newcomer Pat McCabe to feel part of the Australian team, but the inside centre now feels right at home playing alongside players that were his heroes.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Opponents Japan might be a modest 13th in the international rankings but France coach Marc Lièvremont has taken no chances by naming a powerful side for their Rugby World Cup 2011 opener on Saturday.

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INVERCARGILL — Romania will be aiming to make amends for past failings in their Rugby World Cup 2011 opener against Scotland at Rugby Park Stadium on Saturday.

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MT MAUNGANUI — Samoa’s recent upset victory over Australia has set a high benchmark the Pacific Islanders do not want to lower.

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DUNEDIN — With three teams realistically vying the for the two qualifying spots in Pool B, the match between England and Argentina at Otago Stadium already has a "must-win" feel for two sides who are expected to reach the knockout stages of Rugby World Cup 2011.

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NEW PLYMOUTH — CORRECTION: Now lists Ronan O'Gara at 21, not Sean O'Brien NEW PLYMOUTH, 9 Sept.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Wales head coach Warren Gatland on Friday announced his team to play their opening match in Pool D against South Africa at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington on Sunday, 11 September.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Italy head coach Nick Mallett on Friday announced his team to play their opening match in Pool C against Australia at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland on Sunday, 11 September.

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AUCKLAND CITY — A spotlight on the hot topics at Rugby World Cup 2011.

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WELLINGTON CITY — Defending champions South Africa have named the most experienced team in rugby history for their opening Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool D match against Wales at Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday, 11 September.

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ROTORUA — Fiji are determined not to become the first Rugby World Cup scalp for outsiders Namibia when the teams clash at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday.

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AUCKLAND CITY — South Africa head coach Peter De Villiers on Friday announced his team to play their opening match in Pool D against Wales at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, on Sunday, 11 September.

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With less than 24 hours to go until New Zealnd's opening match with Tonga, the excitement around RWC 2011 is growing, both in New Zealand and online.

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CORRECTION: Corrects in third paragraph the number of team members involved in the tragedy.

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This time it was sharks; next week the Canadian team will be hunting Sea Eagles of the Tongan variety in their opening Rugby World Cup 2011 clash.

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AUCKLAND CITY — France's Raphaël Lakafia is proud of the tribal tattoo on his right arm, but the reserved forward does not feel like explaining its meaning.

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QUEENSTOWN — The Georgia team enjoyed a break from training on Thursday to make a community visit to the town of Wanaka, about 60km north-east of Queenstown.

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WELLINGTON CITY — If Wales coach Warren Gatland was trying to goad South Africa into changing to a more free-running style of rugby with his comment, "they don't play any rugby", he has missed his mark.

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AUCKLAND CITY — A lighter look at what is happening at Rugby World Cup 2011. The number 1 - There is one man among the 600 squad members at RWC 2011 who played at RWC 1999 but was missing in RWC 2003 and RWC 2007.

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INVERCARGILL — Scotland dazzled the Murihiku community with their singing skills as the south island officially welcomed the last team to arrive for Rugby World Cup 2011 on Thursday.

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TAURANGA — Fiji vice-captain Gaby Lovobalavu revealed his team have set themselves the goal of reaching the semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2011.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Mauro Bergamasco knows what to expect when Italy kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign against Australia at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium on Sunday, 11 September.

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WELLINGTON CITY — South Africa rate second row Bakkies Botha a "major concern" for their opening Pool D game against Wales.

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ROTORUA — Hundreds of fans of all ages were on hand to greet Samoa at a welcoming ceremony at Te Papaiouru marae on Thursday.

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AUCKLAND CITY — With the top 20 nations in the IRB World Rankings all participating in Rugby World Cup 2011, there is the potential for a lot of movement and potential new highs and lows over the next seven weeks in New Zealand.

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AUCKLAND CITY — The match between New Zealand and Tonga may not be the only clash on the pitch at Eden Park when Rugby World Cup 2011 begins on Friday.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Rugby World Cup Limited has announced that USA and Ireland will commemorate the members of the Rugby community who died in 9/11 attacks at their opening Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool C Match in New Plymouth on Sunday, September 11.

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The Irish rugby team revealed their hidden talent on Thursday at a welcome ceremony in Waitara, following their arrival at New Plymouth airport.

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DUNEDIN — After much speculation, Jonny Wilkinson has been named ahead of Toby Flood as starting fly half for England's Pool B opener against Argentina at Otago Stadium on Saturday.

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KERIKERI — Canada have always prided themselves on producing strong forwards, but scrum coach Mike Shelley is confident intensive camps will have boosted his pack's technical finesse further for Rugby World Cup 2011.

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Tonga have put their faith in a new centre pairing while New Zealand aim to bounce back from their recent Tri Nations defeat when Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off at Eden Park on Friday.

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WHANGANUI — The US Eagles can thank All Blacks head coach Graham Henry for helping to prime one of their deadliest attacking weapons, explosive centre Andrew Suniula.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Fiji coach Samu Domoni on Thursday announced his team to play their opening match in Pool D against Namibia at Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua on Saturday, September 10.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Australia's David Pocock could barely contain his pride when informed by journalists on Thursday that one of his childhood rugby heroes had labelled him the world's best flanker.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Japan coach John Kirwan is confident he has selected his best XV for the tough opening match against France on Saturday.

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AUCKLAND CITY — England manager Martin Johnson on Thursday announced his team to play their opening match in Pool B against Argentina at Otago Stadium, Dunedin, on Saturday, 10 September.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Scotland head coach Andy Robinson announced his team on Thursday for the opening Pool B match against Romania at Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill, on Saturday, 10 September.

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NELSON — Italy have earned themselves some extra support ahead of their opening 2011 Rugby World Cup match against Australia on Sunday.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Japan's general manager Osamu Ota on Thursday announced his team to play the opening match in Pool A against France at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland on Saturday, 10 September.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Romania head coach Romeo Stefan Gontineac on Thursday announced his team to play their opening match in Pool B against Scotland at Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill, on Saturday, 10 September.

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WHANGAREI — The colour red is ablaze among the tropical greenery of Northland as residents of New Zealand's most northerly region bedeck their streets with the national colours of Canada, Tonga and Japan to welcome the visiting Pool A teams.

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AUCKLAND CITY — With his attacking prowess, Kiwi heritage and tussles with Richie McCaw, Quade Cooper is considered public enemy number one by many New Zealand rugby fans.

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GISBORNE — Namibia head coach Johan Diergaardt on Wednesday announced his team to play their opening match in Pool D against Fiji at Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua, on Saturday, 10 September.

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WELLINGTON CITY — South Africa's Victor Matfield believes a hamstring injury that kept him out of a training session on Wednesday will not stop him facing Wales in the opening Pool D match of Rugby World Cup 2011 in Wellington on Sunday 11 September.

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WHANGANUI — USA full back Chris Wyles is battling to overcome an ankle injury ahead of the Eagles' Rugby World Cup 2011 opener against Ireland on Sunday, 11 September.

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The seventh Rugby World Cup is ready to kick-off declared the International Rugby Board today, two days ahead of the scheduled Opening Match at Eden Park on Friday 9 September “I am convinced that the stage is set for an exceptional Rugby World Cup,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

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ROTORUA — Former Australia prop Michael Foley will be rushed into Fiji’s camp next week to help fix the team’s scrummaging problems.

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CHRISTCHURCH — Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Chairman Bernard Lapasset has today launched a special Appeal dedicated to raising funds to support the Rugby community affected by the Christchurch earthquakes.

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AUCKLAND CITY — New Zealand's veteran full back Mils Muliaina has been omitted from the All Blacks team to play Tonga at Eden Park on Friday.

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DUNEDIN — Nine-year-old Fotu Beni couldn’t believe his eyes when eight strapping Pumas entered his Dunedin Public Hospital children’s ward on Tuesday.

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It's week Zero.

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NEW PLYMOUTH — Hours before the USA's opening match of the World Cup against Ireland on September 11, the players will shift their focus to commemorate the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Coach Graham Henry on Wednesday announced the team to play New Zealand's opening match in Pool A against Tonga at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday, 9 September.

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DUNEDIN — Juan Figallo’s beaming face throughout the press conference at the Caledonian Ground on Tuesday said it all.

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QUEENSTOWN — Playing in the famous All Blacks jersey is a dream for most young New Zealanders, but not for Tokoroa-born Isaac Boss, scrum half with the Ireland team at Rugby World Cup 2011.

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AUCKLAND CITY — France head coach Marc Lièvremont has named a formidable team for Les Bleus' opening game against Japan on Saturday at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Samoa held their second training session of Rugby World Cup 2011 at Auckland Grammar School on Tuesday.

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WELLINGTON CITY — Wales believe they will need to score two or three tries to beat South Africa in their Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool D match at Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday.

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NELSON — It has been a tough slog, but for Italy second row Marco Bortolami 2011 may turn out to have a happy ending.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Mayor Les Brown likely spoke for many New Zealanders in his welcoming remarks to Australia's squad, who arrived for Rugby World Cup 2011 on Tuesday.

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WELLINGTON CITY — In an ominous warning to the other teams at Rugby World Cup 2011, South Africa fly half Butch James says the mood in the squad reminds him of their victorious campaign in France four years ago.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Japan coach John Kirwan welcomed the strength of the French team named on Tuesday by Marc Lievrèmont for their Pool A opener at North Harbour Stadium this weekend.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Tonga could be forgiven for thinking Rugby World Cup 2011 was being held in their home country, given their rousing welcome ceremony on Tuesday.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Australia coach Robbie Deans has retained the starting line-up that recently claimed the Tri Nations title for the Wallabies opening Rugby World Cup 2011 match against Italy at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday.

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QUEENSTOWN — Ireland's late arrivals Gordon D'Arcy and Cian Healy both took a limited part in Ireland's first serious training run at the Queenstown Events Centre on Tuesday.

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WAITANGI — Canadians Jamie and Phil Mackenzie are one of the 13 pairs of brothers competing in Rugby World Cup 2011, and the duo hope to continue a winning streak that began last year.

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WELLINGTON CITY — South Africa lock Bakkies Botha is in doubt for Sunday's Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool D match against Wales because of an ankle injury.

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WHANGANUI — Even the most experienced players feel the pressure of performing at Rugby World Cup 2011, but when it can make or break your career it’s even tougher.

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Rugby World Cup 2011 will provide the global platform to spread the Keep Rugby Clean message with players, coaches, referees and officials uniting to show their support for the International Rugby Board’s Anti-Doping educational campaign.

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ASHBURTON — Romania's coaching team are doing all they can to hasten the return of key players from injury to reinforce their front and back rows, as well as the three-quarter line.

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AUCKLAND CITY — Australia head coach Robbie Deans on Tuesday announced his team to play their opening match in Pool C against Italy at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, on Sunday, 11 September.

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AUCKLAND CITY — All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will win the race with Mils Muliaina to a record 100 test caps if Israel Dagg is preferred in New Zealand's team for the opener against Tonga on 9 September and the veteran full back does not play.

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DUNEDIN — Argentina head coach Santiago Phelan on Tuesday announced his team to play their opening match in Pool B against England at Otago Stadium, Dunedin, on Saturday, 10 September.

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AUCKLAND CITY — France head coach Marc Lièvremont on Tuesday announced the team to play France's opening match in Pool A against Japan at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, on Saturday, 10 September.

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DUNEDIN — England manager Martin Johnson said that his team would take the loss of captain Lewis Moody in their stride as they prepare to face Argentina in their Pool B opener at Otago Stadium on Saturday, 10 September.

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WAITANGI — Hearing a blood-curdling scream while facing a lance and a Maori warrior was perhaps not what the Canada team expected in their official welcome ceremony in Waitangi.

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DUNEDIN — Genaro Fessia was the last player to join the Argentina squad, but a permanent grin is on the back row’s face now he is with the Pumas again.

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GISBORNE — Namibia prop Jané Du Toit, the fifth-oldest player at Rugby World Cup 2011, is ready for one last push before before he retires.

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AUCKLAND CITY — On the eve of the team announcement for their opening Rugby World Cup match, France's players unwinded by playing basketball.

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QUEENSTOWN — Georgia's Rugby World Cup 2011 squad received a warm welcome as they arrived at Queenstown Airport on Monday.

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WELLINGTON CITY — For former England and Lions captain Bill Beaumont, seeing Wales attending Sunday's welcome ceremony at Porirua was a return to one of the game's traditional strengths.

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