2003 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches

Throughout August 2003, various teams prepared for the Rugby World Cup in Australia with a short series of test matches, and involving the Six Nations sides. In addition, Fiji toured New Zealand and South America and Samoa played two matches with provincial teams of New Zealand. Argentina and South Africa played other, not international, Tests.

Main article: 2003 Rugby World Cup

The tests replaced the Autumn international series in November, which does not take place in World Cup years. There were two tournaments involving teams that were preparing for the World Cup.

• The 2003 Tri Nations, with Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
• The Pan American championship with Argentina, Canada, United States, Uruguay

There were also a tour of Fiji in New Zealand and South America

Note: this article does not include international results not involving at least one side who had qualified for the 2003 World Cup

26 July

26 July 2003

Canada	27–65	NZ Māori
Try: Ross Stanley Tkachuk Witkowski Con: Ross (2) Pen: Ross		Try: Austin (2) Cribb Flavell Gear Haami (2) Jackson Maddock (2) Con: Jackson (2) Walker (4) Pen: Walker

Kingsland, Calgary Attendance: 6,500

Team details

FB 15 James Pritchard RW 14 Sean Fauth OC 13 Nik Witkowski IC 12 John Cannon LW 11 Winston Stanley FH 10 Bobby Ross SH 9 Morgan Williams N8 8 Phil Murphy OF 7 Adam van Staveren BF 6 Ryan Banks (c) BF 5 Colin Yukes LL 4 Mike James TP 3 Garth Cooke HK 2 Mark Lawson LP 1 Kevin Tkachuk Replacements: PR 16 Kevin Wirachowski HK 17 Pat Dunkley FL 18 Jim Douglas N8 19 Jeff Reid SH 20 Ed Fairhurst CE 21 Ryan Smith SH 22 Marco di Girolamo Coach: David Clark FB 15 Christian Cullen RW 14 Joe Maddock OC 13 Rico Gear IC 12 Norm Berryman LW 11 Shayne Austin FH 10 Willie Walker SH 9 David Gibson N8 8 Ron Cribb OF 7 Troy Flavell BF 6 Germaine Anaha RL 5 Paul Tito (c) LL 4 Kris Ormsby TP 3 Carl Hayman HK 2 Slade McFarland LP 1 Joe McDonnell Replacements: CE 16 Bryce Robins FH 17 Glen Jackson SH 18 Brendan Haami FL 19 Wayne McEntee LK 20 Warren Smith PR 21 Deacon Manu Coach:

2 August

2 August 2003

Canada	9–30	NZ Maori
Pen: Pritchard (3)		Try: Cullen Flavell (2) McFarland Maddock Con: Walker Pen: Walker

York Stadium, Toronto Referee: R. Maybank (England)

Team details

FB 15 James Pritchard RW 14 John Cannon OC 13 Marco di Girolamo IC 12 Matt King LW 11 Winston Stanley FH 10 Ryan Smith SH 9 Morgan Williams N8 8 Ryan Banks (c) OF 7 Adam van Staveren BF 6 Jim Douglas RL 5 Colin Yukes LL 4 Mike James TP 3 Garth Cooke HK 2 Pat Dunkley LP 1 Kevin Tkachuk Replacements: HK 16 Mark Lawson PR 17 Kevin Wirachowski N8 18 Phil Murphy SH 19 Ed Fairhurst FH 20 Bobby Ross WG 21 Sean Fauth CE 22 Nik Witkowski Coach: David Clark FB 15 Christian Cullen RW 14 Joe Maddock OC 13 Rico Gear IC 12 Norm Berryman LW 11 Shayne Austin FH 10 Willie Walker SH 9 Brendan Haami N8 8 Ron Cribb OF 7 Troy Flavell BF 6 Wayne McEntee RL 5 Paul Tito (c) LL 4 Kris Ormsby TP 3 Carl Hayman HK 2 Slade McFarland LP 1 Joe McDonnell Replacements: FH 16 Glen Jackson FL 17 Germaine Anaha LK 18 Warren Smith PR 19 Deacon Manu HK 20 Scott Linklater Coach:

12 August

13 August 2003

North Auckland	17–27	Western Samoa XV

Whangarei

15 August

15 August 2003

Narbonne	29–7	Romania XV

Parc des Sports, Narbonne

16 August

16 August 2003

Ireland	35–12	Wales
Try: O'Connell 2 O'Kelly Quinlan Wallace Con: Humphreys 4 Murphy		Try: G. Evans Thomas Con: Harris

Lansdowne Road, Dublin Referee: Joel Dumè (France)

Team details

FB 15 Geordan Murphy RW 14 Tyrone Howe  62' OC 13 Brian O'Driscoll IC 12 Kevin Maggs LW 11 Anthony Horgan FH 10 David Humphreys  77' SH 9 Peter Stringer  77' N8 8 Anthony Foley  41' OF 7 Keith Gleeson BF 6 Alan Quinlan RL 5 Paul O'Connell LL 4 Malcolm O'Kelly  68' TP 3 Simon Best  62' HK 2 Keith Wood (c)  68' LP 1 Reggie Corrigan Replacements: HK 16 Shane Byrne  68' PR 17 Justin Fitzpatrick  62' LK 18 Donncha O'Callaghan  68' FL 19 David Wallace  41' SH 20 Guy Easterby  77' CE 21 Gordon D'Arcy  77' FB 22 Girvan Dempsey  62' Coach: Eddie O'Sullivan FB 15 Nick Robinson RW 14 Garan Evans OC 13 Jamie Robinson IC 12 Iestyn Harris LW 11 Gareth Thomas (c) FH 10 Ceri Sweeney SH 9 Dwayne Peel N8 8 Alix Popham OF 7 Richard Parks BF 6 Rhys Oakley RL 5 Gareth Llewellyn LL 4 Michael Owen  66' TP 3 Ben Evans  52' HK 2 Mefin Davies  67' LP 1 Duncan Jones Replacements: HK 16 Huw Bennett  67' PR 17 Gethin Jenkins  52' LK 18 Vernon Cooper  66' FL 19 Robin Sowden-Taylor SH 20 Andy Williams CE 21 Andy Marinos WG 22 Nathan Brew Coach: Steve Hansen

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18 August

18 August 2003

Auckland	21–16	Western Samoa XV

Auckland

22 August

22 August 2003

France	56–8	Romania
Try: Betsen Crenca Harinordoquy Jauzion Liebenberg Magne Rougerie Traille Con: Merceron Michalak (7)		Try: Brezoianu Pen: Dumbravă

Stade Félix-Bollaert, Lens Attendance: 18,000 Referee: Giulio De Santis (Italy)

France: 15. Pepito Elhorga, 14. Aurélien Rougerie, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 12. Damien Traille, 11. Christophe Dominici, 10. Frédéric Michalak, 9. Fabien Galthié (c), 8. Jean-Jacques Crenca, 7. Yannick Bru, 6. Sylvain Marconnet, 5. Fabien Pelous, 4. Serge Betsen, 3. Jérôme Thion, 2. Olivier Magne, 1. Imanol Harinordoquy; Replacements: 16. Raphaël Ibañez, 17. Olivier Milloud, 18. David Auradou, 19. Christian Labit, 20. Dimitri Yachvili, 21. Gérald Merceron, 22. Brian Liebenberg
Romania: 15. Dănuț Dumbravă, 14. Cristian Săuan, 13. Valentin Maftei, 12. Romeo Gontineac (c), 11. Gabriel Brezoianu, 10. Ionuț Tofan, 9. Lucian Sîrbu, 8. Ovidiu Tonița, 7. Costica Mersoiu, 6. George Chiriac, 5. Cristian Petre, 4. Sorin Socol, 3. Marcel Socaciu, 2. Marius Țincu, 1. Petru Bălan; Replacements: 16. Petrișor Toderașc, 17. Cezar Popescu, 18. Augustin Petrechei, 19. Alex Tudori, 20. Cristian Podea, 22. Mihai Vioreanu; Unused: 21. Iulian Andrei

23 August

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23 August 2003

Scotland	47–15	Italy
Try: Blair Danielli Laney McLaren Ross White Con: Paterson (2) Ross (2) Pen: Ross (3)		Try: Mazzucato Palmer Con: Pez Pen: Pez

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Donal Courtney (Ireland)

Scotland: 15. Ben Hinshelwood, 14. Simon Danielli, 13. James McLaren, 12. Andrew Henderson, 11. Kenny Logan, 10. Gordon Ross, 9. Mike Blair, 8. Tom Smith, 7. Robbie Russell, 6. Bruce Douglas, 5. Scott Murray (c), 4. Jason White, 3. Nathan Hines, 2. Jon Petrie, 1. Simon Taylor; Replacements: 16. Gordon Bulloch, 17. Gordon McIlwham, 18. Iain Fullarton, 19. Martin Leslie, 21. Chris Paterson, 22. Brendan Laney; Unused: 20. Graeme Beveridge
Italy: 15. Gert Peens, 14. Nicola Mazzucato, 13. Andrea Masi, 12. Cristian Stoica, 11. Mirco Bergamasco, 10. Ramiro Pez, 9. Alessandro Troncon (c), 8. Matthew Phillips, 7. Scott Palmer, 6. Maurizio Zaffiri, 5. Marco Bortolami, 4. Santiago Dellapè, 3. Salvatore Perugini, 2. Carlo Festuccia, 1. Andrea Lo Cicero; Replacements: 16. Fabio Ongaro, 17. Ramiro Martinez-Frugoni, 18. Sergio Parisse, 19. Mauro Bergamasco, 21. Francesco Mazzariol, 22. Gonzalo Canale; Unused: 20. Juan Manuel Queirolo

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23 August 2003

Wales	9–43	England
Pen: S. Jones (3)		Try: Abbott Luger Moody West Worsley Con: King (2) Walder Pen: King (3) Drop: King

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 66,000 Referee: Pablo DeLuca (Argentina)

Wales: 15. Rhys Williams, 14. Mark Jones, 13. Mark Taylor, 12. Sonny Parker, 11. Gareth Thomas, 10. Stephen Jones (c), 9. Gareth Cooper, 1. Iestyn Thomas, 2. Robin McBryde, 3. Gethin Jenkins, 4. Robert Sidoli, 5. Chris Wyatt, 6. Colin Charvis, 7. Martyn Williams, 8. Dafydd Jones; Replacements: 16. Gareth Williams, 17. Adam R. Jones, 18. Jonathan Thomas, 19. Gavin Thomas; Unused: 20. Mike Phillips, 21. Gavin Henson, 22. Tom Shanklin
England: 15. Dan Scarbrough, 14. James Simpson-Daniel, 13. Jamie Noon, 12. Stuart Abbott, 11. Dan Luger, 10. Alex King, 9. Andy Gomarsall, 8. Joe Worsley, 7. Lewis Moody, 6. Martin Corry, 5. Simon Shaw, 4. Danny Grewcock, 3. Julian White, 2. Mark Regan, 1. Jason Leonard (c); Replacements: 16. Dorian West, 17. Will Green, 18. Steve Borthwick, 19. Alex Sanderson, 21. Dave Walder, 22. Ollie Smith; Unused: 20. Austin Healey

26 August

26 August 2003

Biarritz	21–0	Georgia XV

Biarritz

27 August

27 August 2003

Wales	54–8	Romania
Try: S. Williams (2) Phillips Popham Brew Gav. Thomas Con: Henson (6) Pen: Henson (4)		Try: Bălan Pen: Dumbravă

Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Referee: Andy Turner (South Africa)

Wales: 15. Gavin Henson, 14. Nathan Brew, 13. Matthew Watkins, 12. Andy Marinos, 11. Shane Williams, 10. Nick Robinson, 9. Mike Phillips, 1. Paul James, 2. Mefin Davies (c), 3. Ben Evans, 4. Brent Cockbain, 5. Ian Gough, 6. Jonathan Thomas, 7. Gavin Thomas, 8. Alix Popham; Replacements: 16. Paul Young, 17. Chris Anthony, 18. Deiniol Jones, 19. James Bater, 20. Gareth Wyatt, 21. Jon Bryant, 22. Andy Williams
Romania: 15. Dănuț Dumbravă, 14. Cristian Săuan, 13. Valentin Maftei, 12. Romeo Gontineac (c), 11. Gabriel Brezoianu, 10. Ionuț Tofan, 9. Lucian Sîrbu, 8. Ovidiu Tonița, 7. Costica Mersoiu, 6. George Chiriac, 5. Cristian Petre, 4. Sorin Socol, 3. Marcel Socaciu, 2. Marius Țincu , 1. Petru Bălan ; Replacements: 16. Dan Tudosa, 17. Petrișor Toderașc, 18. Cezar Popescu, 19. Augustin Petrechei, 20. Alex Tudori, 21. Iulian Andrei, 22. Ion Teodorescu

30 August

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30 August 2003

Ireland	61–6	Italy
Try: Hickie (4) Kelly Byrne Dempsey Humphreys Con: Humphreys (6) Pen: Humphreys (3)		Pen: Peens (2)

Thomond Park, Limerick Attendance: 14,000 Referee: S. Lander (England)

Ireland: 15. Girvan Dempsey, 14. John Kelly, 13. Brian O'Driscoll (c), 12. Rob Henderson, 11. Denis Hickie, 10. David Humphreys, 9. Guy Easterby, 1. Marcus Horan, 2. Shane Byrne, 3. Reggie Corrigan, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Leo Cullen, 6. Simon Easterby, 7. Eric Miller, 8. Victor Costello; Replacements: 16. Paul Shields, 17. Justin Fitzpatrick, 18. Donncha O'Callaghan, 19. Kieron Dawson, 20. Brian O'Meara, 21. Geordan Murphy, 22. Jonny Bell
Italy: 15. Gert Peens, 14. Nicola Mazzucato, 13. Cristian Stoica, 12. Matteo Barbini, 11. Diego Sacca, 10. Francesco Mazzariol, 9. Alessandro Troncon (c), 8. Sergio Parisse, 7. Mauro Bergamasco, 6. Andrea de Rossi, 5. Mark Giacheri, 4. Cristian Bezzi, 3. Martin Castrogiovanni, 2. Fabio Ongaro, 1. Andrea Lo Cicero; Replacements: 16. Carlo Festuccia, 18. Aaron Persico, 19. Matthew Phillips, 22. Andrea Masi; Unused: 17. Ramiro Martinez-Frugoni, 20. Matteo Mazzantini, 21. Ramiro Pez

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30 August 2003

France	17–16	England
Try: Brusque Pen: Michalak (3) Drop: Michalak		Try: Tindall Con: Grayson Pen: Grayson (3)

Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 60,000 Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)

France: 15. Nicolas Brusque, 14. Aurélien Rougerie, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 12. Damien Traille, 11. Christophe Dominici, 10. Frédéric Michalak, 9. Fabien Galthié (c), 8. Jean-Jacques Crenca, 7. Yannick Bru, 6. Sylvain Marconnet, 5. Fabien Pelous, 4. Serge Betsen, 3. Jérôme Thion, 2. Olivier Magne, 1. Imanol Harinordoquy; Replacements: 16. Raphaël Ibañez, 17. Olivier Milloud, 18. David Auradou, 19. Sébastien Chabal, 20. Patrick Tabacco, 22. Brian Liebenberg; Unused: 21. Xavier Garbajosa
England: 15. Iain Balshaw, 14. Josh Lewsey, 13. Ollie Smith, 12. Mike Tindall, 11. Ben Cohen, 10. Paul Grayson, 9. Austin Healey, 8. Alex Sanderson, 7. Lewis Moody, 6. Martin Corry, 5. Danny Grewcock, 4. Steve Borthwick, 3. Julian White, 2. Dorian West (c), 1. Graham Rowntree; Replacements: 16. Steve Thompson, 17. Jason Leonard, 18. Simon Shaw, 22. Jamie Noon, 22. Jamie Noon; Unused: 19. Andy Hazell, 21. Dave Walder

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30 August 2003

Wales	23–9	Scotland
Try: Owen Pen: Harris (5) Drop: Sweeney		Pen: Laney 3

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Chris White (England)

Wales: 15. Garan Evans, 14. Jamie Robinson, 13. Tom Shanklin, 12. Iestyn Harris, 11. Matthew Watkins, 10. Ceri Sweeney, 9. Dwayne Peel, 1. Duncan Jones, 2. Robin McBryde, 3. Adam R. Jones, 4. Vernon Cooper, 5. Michael Owen, 6. Colin Charvis (c), 7. Richard Parks, 8. Alix Popham; Replacements: 16. Huw Bennett, 18. Gareth Llewellyn, 19. Rhys Oakley, 22. Hal Luscombe; Unused: 17. Ben Evans, 20. Mike Phillips, 21. Nick Robinson
Scotland: 15. Glenn Metcalfe, 14. Rory Kerr, 13. Andy Craig, 12. Brendan Laney, 11. Simon Danielli, 10. Gregor Townsend, 9. Graeme Beveridge, 8. Jon Petrie, 7. Andrew Mower, 6. Martin Leslie, 5. Stuart Grimes, 4. Scott Murray (c), 3. Bruce Douglas, 2. Gordon Bulloch, 1. Gavin Kerr; Replacements: 16. Dougie Hall, 17. Gordon McIlwham, 18. Nathan Hines, 19. Andrew Dall, 22. Chris Paterson; Unused: 20. Mike Blair, 21. Andrew Henderson

6 September

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6 September 2003

Italy	31–22	Georgia
Try: Castrogiovanni Checchinato Lo Cicero Troncon Con: Pez Pen: Pez (3)		Try: Urjukashvili Con: Jimsheladze Pen: Jimsheladze (4) Drop: Urjukashvili

Asti Attendance: 6,000 Referee: D. Ramage (Scotland)

Italy: 15. Gonzalo Canale, 14. Mirco Bergamasco, 13. Cristian Stoica, 12. Nanni Raineri, 11. Nicola Mazzucato, 10. Ramiro Pez, 9. Alessandro Troncon (c), 1. Andrea Lo Cicero, 2. Fabio Ongaro, 3. Martin Castrogiovanni, 4. Santiago Dellapè, 5. Andrea de Rossi, 6. Marco Bortolami, 7. Aaron Persico, 8. Sergio Parisse; Replacements: 16. Carlo Festuccia, 17. Salvatore Perugini, 18. Carlo Checchinato, 19. Mauro Bergamasco, 20. Juan Manuel Queirolo, 22. Gert Peens; Unused: 21. Vincenzo Zullo
Georgia: 15. Bessik Khamashuridze , 14. Malkhaz Urjukashvili, 13. Tedo Zibzibadze, 12. Irakli Giorgadze, 11. Irakli Machkhaneli, 10. Paliko Jimsheladze, 9. Irakli Abuseridze, 8. Ilia Zedginidze (c), 7. Gregoire Yachvili, 6. Giorgi Chkhaidze, 5. Victor Didebulidze, 4. Zurab Mtchedlishvili, 3. Aleko Margvelashvili , 2. Akvsenti Giorgadze, 1. Avto Kopaliani; Replacements: 16. Goderdzi Shvelidze, 17. David Dadunashvili, 18. Vano Nadiradze , 19. Grigol Labadze , 20. Irakli Modebadze, 21. David Kiknadze

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6 September 2003

England	45–14	France
Try: Balshaw Cohen (2) Lewsey Robinson Con: Grayson Wilkinson (3) Pen: Wilkinson (4)		Try: Rougerie Pen: Merceron (2) Drop: Jauzion

Twickenham Stadium, London Attendance: 75,000 Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)

England: 15. Jason Robinson, 14. Iain Balshaw, 13. Will Greenwood, 12. Stuart Abbott, 11. Ben Cohen, 10. Jonny Wilkinson, 9. Kyran Bracken, 1. Trevor Woodman, 2. Steve Thompson, 3. Julian White, 4. Martin Johnson (c), 5. Ben Kay, 6. Richard Hill, 7. Neil Back, 8. Martin Corry; Replacements: 16. Dorian West, 17. Jason Leonard, 18. Simon Shaw, 19. Lewis Moody, 20. Matt Dawson, 21. Paul Grayson, 22. Josh Lewsey
France: 15. Clément Poitrenaud, 14. Xavier Garbajosa, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 12. Brian Liebenberg, 11. Christophe Dominici, 10. Gérald Merceron, 9. Dimitri Yachvili, 8. Christian Labit, 7. Patrick Tabacco, 6. Sébastien Chabal, 5. Olivier Brouzet, 4. David Auradou, 3. Jean-Baptiste Poux, 2. Raphaël Ibañez (c), 1. Olivier Milloud; Replacements: 16. Yannick Bru, 17. Sylvain Marconnet, 18. Fabien Pelous, 19. Imanol Harinordoquy, 20. Olivier Magne, 22. Aurélien Rougerie; Unused: 21. Frédéric Michalak

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6 September 2003

Scotland	10–29	Ireland
Try: Webster Con: Paterson Pen: Paterson		Try: Hickie Horgan Maggs Wallace Con: O'Gara (3) Pen: O'Gara

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Attendance: 35,000 Referee: N. Whitehouse (Wales)

Scotland: 15. Glenn Metcalfe, 14. Chris Paterson, 13. Andy Craig, 12. Andrew Henderson, 11. Kenny Logan, 10. Gordon Ross, 9. Mike Blair, 8. Allan Jacobsen, 7. Gordon Bulloch (c), 6. Gordon McIlwham, 5. Stuart Grimes, 4. Ross Beattie, 3. Nathan Hines, 2. Andrew Mower, 1. Simon Taylor; Replacements: 16. Robbie Russell, 17. Matthew Proudfoot, 18. Jon Petrie, 19. Iain Fullarton, 21. James McLaren, 22. Simon Webster; Unused: 20. Graeme Beveridge
Ireland: 15. Geordan Murphy, 14. Anthony Horgan, 13. Brian O'Driscoll, 12. Kevin Maggs, 11. Denis Hickie, 10. Ronan O'Gara, 9. Peter Stringer, 8. Victor Costello, 7. Eric Miller, 6. David Wallace, 5. Paul O'Connell, 4. Malcolm O'Kelly, 3. Reggie Corrigan, 2. Keith Wood (c), 1. Marcus Horan; Replacements: 16. Shane Byrne, 17. Simon Best, 18. Simon Easterby, 19. Kieron Dawson, 20. Guy Easterby, 21. David Humphreys, 22. Girvan Dempsey

12 September

12 September 2003

Tucumán	0–72	Argentina XV

San Miguel de Tucumán

16 September

16 September 2003

South Africa XV	45–24	Cheetahs

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

19 September

19 September 2003

Rosario	10–54	Argentina XV

Plaza Jewell, Rosario

21 September

21 September 2003

France President's XV	83–12	French Barbarians

Parc des Sports et de l'Amitié Narbonne

Notes and references

1. "Ireland Overpower Wales". irishrugby.ie. 16 August 2003. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
2. Morrison, Iain (23 August 2003). "Blair puts thin case for life at No9 with Scotland". London: The Guardian.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
3. Butler, Eddie (23 August 2003). "Woodward's second-string outgun wretched Wales". London: The Guardian.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
4. "Four Tries For Hickie as Ireland Overwhelm Italians". irishrugby.ie. 30 August 2003. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
5. Kitson, Robert (1 September 2003). "England call on big guns for revenge shot". London: The Guardian.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
6. Averis, Mike (1 September 2003). "Hansen gets his answer". London: The Guardian.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
7. Butler, Eddie (7 September 2002). "England's sweet revenge". London: The Guardian.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
8. "Ireland Comfortable Winners in Murrayfield". irishrugby.ie. 6 September 2003. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2013.