2003 Rugby World Cup

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2003 Rugby World Cup
RWC2003logo.svg
Tournament details
Host nationFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Dates10 October – 22 November (44 days)
No. of nations20 (80 qualifying)
Final positions
Champions   Gold medal blank.svg Flag of England.svg  England (1st title)
Runner-up  Silver medal blank.svg Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Third place  Bronze medal blank.svg Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Tournament statistics
Matches played48
Attendance1,837,547 (38,282 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of England.svg Jonny Wilkinson (113)
Most tries Flag of New Zealand.svg Doug Howlett
Flag of New Zealand.svg Mils Muliaina
(7 tries each)
1999
2007
England 2003 World Cup winners England world cup winners.jpg
England 2003 World Cup winners

The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Union and Rugby World Cup Limited. The pre-event favourites were England, regarded by many at the time as the best team in the world. New Zealand, France, South Africa and defending champions Australia were also expected to make strong showings, with New Zealand being second favourites after victory in the southern-hemisphere Tri-Nations championship.

Contents

The tournament began with host nation Australia defeating Argentina 24–8 at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Australia went on to defeat New Zealand 22–10 in the semi-final, to play England in the final. Along with a try to Jason Robinson, Jonny Wilkinson kicked four penalties and then a drop-goal in extra time to win the game 20–17 for England, who became the first northern hemisphere team to win the Webb Ellis Cup.

Qualifying

The following 20 teams, shown by region, qualified for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Of the 20 teams, eight of those places were automatically filled by the teams that reached the quarter-final stages in 1999, including hosts and world champions Australia and did not have to play any qualification matches. A record 81 nations from five continents were involved in the qualification process designed to fill the remaining 12 spots, which began on 23 September 2000.

AfricaAmericasEuropeOceania/Asia

Host

Hosting rights to the tournament were initially awarded to both Australia and New Zealand; Australia would serve as the primary host, staging 25 of the 48 matches, while the other 23 would be played in New Zealand. Concerns were expressed in January 2001 that Australia might have been stripped of hosting rights after the International Rugby Board (IRB) removed official status from the 2001 Brisbane Sevens in response to the Australian government denying entry visas to the Fiji team; despite this, the IRB confirmed that Australia was still confirmed as host nation. [1]

In March 2002, the Australian Rugby Union withdrew its offer to allow New Zealand to co-host the tournament after New Zealand Rugby failed to return the sub-host agreement by the deadline of 04:00 GMT on 8 March 2002. The New Zealand governing body had returned the documents, but with substantial changes relating to signage inside stadiums. New Zealand Rugby had intended for the annual National Provincial Championship to take place during the World Cup, and insisted on being able to honour its agreement with local sponsors, but this was not acceptable to the IRB. The ARU was then given 21 days to come up with alternative arrangements. [2] Australia's new plans were ratified at an IRB meeting on 18 April 2003, confirming them as sole hosts of the tournament. [3] The IRB was criticised from some quarters for its decision to strip New Zealand of the World Cup, and speaking to BBC Sport , former New Zealand number 8 Zinzan Brooke called on his former team to threaten a boycott of tournament. [4] New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said the IRB and the ARU had not given enough time to find a solution; [5] however, the head of the ARU, John O'Neill, said he feared Australia could lose the World Cup entirely as a result of the disagreement. [6]

Venues

The Opening Ceremony at Stadium Australia 2003 World Cup opening.jpg
The Opening Ceremony at Stadium Australia

The overall stadium capacity was 421,311 across 11 venues. This was a reduction from the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales (with games also held in England, France, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland) which had a total capacity of 654,677 across 18 venues.

The Adelaide Oval underwent a AU$20 million redevelopment for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, financed entirely by the South Australian Cricket Association, with two new grandstands built adjacent to the Victor Richardson Gates. Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (formerly Lang Park) was a new A$280 million venue designed specifically for rugby league, rugby union and soccer, and was opened just prior to the start of the 2003 World Cup with a capacity of 52,500, some 12,000 more than the old Lang Park could hold. The Central Coast Stadium was also a newly built rectangular venue built for union, league and soccer. It was built on the site of the old Grahame Park ground and was opened in February 2000 at a cost of A$30 million.

The Sydney Football Stadium was one of two venues in Sydney that were used for football during the 2000 Olympic Games. The other venue in Sydney was Stadium Australia, which was the centrepiece of the 2000 Olympic Games. It was built as the main stadium of the 2000 Olympics at a cost of $690 million and with a capacity of 83,500 was the biggest stadium used in the 2003 World Cup (the stadium had an original capacity of 110,000 before undergoing a post-Olympics redevelopment from 2001 to 2003). The only stadium with a retractable roof used was the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. Although the Docklands Stadium has movable seating which brings four sections of the lower bowl forward by 18 metres to create a more rectangular surround for the pitch, this was not used during the World Cup as it reduces the seating capacity of the stadium by approximately 3,500.

Sydney Melbourne Brisbane
Stadium Australia Sydney Football Stadium Docklands Stadium Lang Park
Capacity: 83,500Capacity: 42,500Capacity: 56,347Capacity: 52,500
Sydney-Galaxy-homebush.jpg Sydney Football Stadium during NSW Waratahs vs Melbourne Rebels game April 21, 2012.jpg Marvel Stadium from an aerial perspective. Feb 2019.jpg Suncorpstadium071006a.JPG
Perth Adelaide
Subiaco Oval Adelaide Oval
Capacity: 42,922Capacity: 33,597
Subiaco Oval.jpg AdelOval07.jpg
Townsville Canberra
Willows Sports Complex Canberra Stadium
Capacity: 26,500Capacity: 25,011
14-05-2005-dairy farmers at dusk.JPG BruceStadium19032005.JPG
Gosford Launceston Wollongong
Central Coast Stadium York Park Wollongong Showground
Capacity: 20,059Capacity: 19,891Capacity: 18,484
Bluetongue CC Stadium.jpg Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs - 31st May 2008 181.jpg WIN Stadium2.jpg

Squads

Referees

Touch judges and television match officials

Source: [7]

Pools and format

Pool APool BPool CPool D

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
IRFU flag.svg  Ireland
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania

Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland

Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Flag of England.svg  England
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Flag of Georgia (1990-2004).svg  Georgia
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay

Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga

Following criticism of the complex format used in the 1999 Rugby World Cup a new simpler format was introduced and the twenty teams were divided into four pools of five nations, with the top two in each pool moving on to the knock-out quarter-final stage. With forty matches to be played in the pool stage on top of the knock-out matches would make the event the largest Rugby World Cup tournament to be played to date. For the first time, a bonus point system was implemented in pool play. This system is identical to that long used in Southern Hemisphere tournaments, and was soon adopted in most European competitions (though not in the Six Nations until 2017):

A total of 48 matches (40 pool stage and eight knock-out) were played throughout the tournament over 42 days from 10 October to 22 November 2003.

Summary

Pool stage

The opening game at Stadium Australia between Australia and Argentina World Cup Telstra stadium.jpg
The opening game at Stadium Australia between Australia and Argentina

The Australian media criticised the competition early in the tournament as the smaller nations were crushed by the rugby superpowers by 60 points or more, in particular a 142–0 victory by the host nation over Namibia, the largest winning margin in Rugby World Cup history. However, some of these smaller, third-tier nations, such as Japan, acquitted themselves well in their opening matches. The South Pacific island countries of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa were reported as being handicapped by several of their foreign-based key players being warned by their clubs that their contracts would not be renewed if they played in the competition.[ citation needed ]

The pool stage of the competition played out largely as expected, with some tension as to whether some of the "developing" nations would overtake some of the weaker major countries for the second quarter-final qualification place in each pool – in Pool A, Argentina lost to Ireland by only one point, when a victory would have carried them into the quarter-finals in Ireland's place; in Pool B, Fiji narrowly missed out on a quarter-final berth, having led Scotland 20–15 with five minutes to go in their deciding match, only for a yellow card to lock Apenisa Naevo to allow Scotland to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a late converted try; in Pool D, Italy, despite missing the knockout stage, put up a good performance with two victories. In Pool C, Samoa gave England a fright with an adventurous approach that allowed them to take an early lead, but England overcame the early deficit and eventually won. This match was marked by controversy, as England technically fielded 16 players for 30 seconds during the game when Dan Luger came onto the pitch in substitution for Mike Tindall, who was receiving treatment for an injury but still on the pitch. England were fined £10,000 as a result. [8]

The big clashes ran mainly to form. South Africa came through the pool in second place, after they lost to England, which meant a quarter-final against New Zealand. Australia, however, only beat Ireland by one point to top their pool, while Wales pushed the All Blacks to the wire in arguably the most entertaining game of the entire tournament; adopting a hyper-attacking style of play, they led 37–33 with just 20 minutes left, but New Zealand eventually proved too much in the 12-try thriller. France meanwhile routed Scotland to set up a quarter-final against Ireland.

Knockout stage

The quarter-final stage produced the widely predicted set of semi-finalists, although England again made heavy weather of defeating a resurgent Wales. England were widely rated the world's best team, but they struggled, at least in the first half, against a Welsh side full of belief after their game against New Zealand. However, spurred into action after the tactical substitution of Catt for Luger and by a Will Greenwood try, set up by a remarkable run by Jason Robinson from inside his own half, England pulled away in the second half, until a late Welsh try gave the scoreline the respectability that their first-half performance had deserved. France destroyed an Irish side who had gone into the match hopeful of a win, scoring 31 early points to put the game out of reach. In the other quarter-finals, a disappointing South Africa fell to a clinical New Zealand and Australia comprehensively defeated the Scots.

The first semi-final produced the first significant upset of the tournament, when Australia defeated the fancied New Zealand to become the first defending champions to reach the following championship final. Unfortunately, it was the last match for Australian star Ben Darwin, who badly injured his neck in a scrum. Although Darwin never played rugby again, the actions of Kees Meeuws – who immediately stopped exerting pressure when he heard the call "neck neck neck" – may well have saved his opponent's life and certainly prevented further injury. The match was decided by a Stirling Mortlock interception try, after a loose pass from highly rated All Blacks fly-half Carlos Spencer, and the excellent kicking of inside-centre Elton Flatley. George Gregan taunted his opponents in defeat with the comment, "Four more years boys, four more years". [9] [10]

The second semi-final saw France face England. The boot of Jonny Wilkinson was the difference between the two sides, with England coming out victors in torrential rain: although France scored the game's only try after an early English line-out error, they never seriously threatened the English line otherwise. With handling and place-kicking being so difficult in the wet and windy conditions (Wilkinson missed three kicks at goal, and Michalak missed four), England's superior forward pressure and territorial control forced France to concede a slew of penalties, of which Wilkinson kicked five, also adding three drop goals (two off his less-favoured right boot) - a remarkable display considering that the swirling winds made accurate kicking as difficult as the rain and mud made passing and running. French ill-discipline also cost them dear, with winger Christophe Dominici and flanker Serge Betsen both receiving yellow-cards for foul play: the former for a cynical trip on Jason Robinson, the latter for a late tackle on Wilkinson.

New Zealand played France in the third-place playoff, and New Zealand avenged their shock defeat to France in the semi-finals at the 1999 World Cup, running in 6 tries in a 40-13 demolition. Mils Muliaina and Doug Howlett scored a try a-piece, finishing as the tournament's joint-leading try-scorers with 7 tries.

Final

The final between Australia and England was played at Sydney's Stadium Australia in front of a crowd of 82,957, and was refereed by veteran South African official André Watson, in so doing becoming the first, and so far only, referee to officiate two Rugby World Cup finals. Australia opened the scoring after they decided to run a penalty instead of kicking for touch. Lote Tuqiri beat England's right wing, Jason Robinson, to a high cross-field kick and went over for the first try, but Elton Flatley was not able to add the conversion.

Celebrations in Trafalgar Square England world cup.jpg
Celebrations in Trafalgar Square

The rest of the half was a tight affair, with England edging in front from applying pressure and Jonny Wilkinson's boot put them up to a 9–5 lead after Australian indiscipline gave away several penalties, but were unable to capitalise on their territory. Towards the end of the first half, England stretched their lead further. Lawrence Dallaglio made a break and popped the ball inside to Jonny Wilkinson, who drew the defence before putting Robinson away in the corner for a try. The conversion was missed, but England went in at half time leading by 14–5.

In the second half Australia tightened their discipline, and solid play forced mistakes from England. The game swung from end to end, with both sides having try-scoring opportunities, but neither able to take them. Australia managed to get points on the board and Elton Flatley scored two penalties to make the score 14–11 to England. In the 79th minute, Australia were putting pressure on England in their half, and Australia were awarded a penalty right before full-time, with the potential to tie the scores. Flatley converted it to make the score 14–14 and take the game into an additional 20 minutes' extra time.

England opened the scoring in extra time with another Wilkinson penalty, but with two and a half minutes of extra time remaining Australia were awarded another penalty, which Flatley kicked successfully. With 20 seconds left before sudden death, Wilkinson scored a drop goal to win the match and with it the world championship.

Post-final

After the final, Australian Prime Minister John Howard was widely criticised for his behaviour during the presentation ceremony. [11] The offhand manner in which he presented the Webb Ellis Cup to the England captain was seen by many as a graceless piece of bad sportsmanship not befitting such a climactic sporting spectacle.

Three days after the final, the World Cup winning England team landed at Heathrow Airport in the early hours of the morning, emerging from their plane to a huge reception, despite the time. [12] On 8 December, a national day of celebration took place in the form of a massive victory parade in the streets of London. [13]

Pool stage

Pool A

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPPtsQualification
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 440027332+241218 Quarter-finals
IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 430114156+85315
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 420214057+83311
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 41036519212715
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 40042831028200
Source: [ citation needed ]
10 October 2003
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg24–8Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
Try: Sailor 20'
Roff 74'
Con: Flatley
Pen: Flatley (4)
Try: Corleto 72'
Pen: M. Contepomi
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 81,350
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

11 October 2003
Ireland  IRFU flag.svg45–17Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Try: S. Horgan
Wood
Hickie (2)
Costello
Con: Humphreys (3)
O'Gara
Pen: Humphreys (4)
Try: Penalty try
Maftei
Con: Tofan
Vioreanu
Pen: Tofan
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Attendance: 19,123
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

14 October 2003
Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg67–14Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia
Try: Méndez
Bouza (2)
J. Fernández Miranda
Penalty try (2)
Gaitán (3)
N. Fernández Miranda
Con: Quesada (7)
Pen: Quesada
Try: Grobler
Husselman
Con: Wessels (2)
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Attendance: 17,887
Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)

18 October 2003
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg90–8Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Try: Flatley
Rogers (3)
Burke (2)
Larkham (2)
Mortlock
Roff
Giteau
Tuqiri
Smith
Con: Flatley (11)
Pen: Flatley
Try: Toderașc
Pen: Tofan
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 48,778
Referee: Pablo De Luca (Argentina)

19 October 2003
Ireland  IRFU flag.svg64–7Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia
Try: Quinlan (2)
Dempsey
Hickie
Horan
Miller (2)
G. Easterby
S. Horgan
Kelly
Con: O'Gara (7)
Try: Powell
Con: Wessels
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 35,382
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)

22 October 2003
Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg50–3Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Try: Gaitán
Hernández (2)
M. Contepomi
N. Fernández Miranda
Bouza (2)
Con: J. Fernández Miranda (4)
Quesada (2)
Pen: J. Fernández Miranda
Pen: Tofan
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 33,673
Referee: Chris White (England)

25 October 2003
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg142–0Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia
Try: Latham (5)
Lyons
Mortlock
Tuqiri (3)
Penalty try
Rogers (2)
Paul
Giteau (3)
Grey
Turinui (2)
Burke
Roe
Con: Rogers (16)
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Attendance: 28,196
Referee: Joël Jutge (France)

Largest winning margin in Rugby World Cup history.


26 October 2003
Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg15–16IRFU flag.svg  Ireland
Pen: Quesada (3)
Drop: Quesada
Corleto
Try: Quinlan
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys
O'Gara (2)
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Attendance: 30,203
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

30 October 2003
Namibia  Flag of Namibia.svg7–37Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Try: Isaacs
Con: Wessels
Try: Petrechei
Sîrbu
Chiriac
Teodorescu
Săuan
Con: Tofan (3)
Pen: Tofan (2)
York Park, Launceston
Attendance: 15,457
Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

1 November 2003
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg17–16IRFU flag.svg  Ireland
Try: Smith
Pen: Flatley (3)
Drop: Gregan
Try: O'Driscoll
Con: O'Gara
Pen: O'Gara (2)
Drop: O'Driscoll
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Attendance: 54,206
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

Pool B

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPPtsQualification
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 440020470+134420 Quarter-finals
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 430110297+5214
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 42029811416210
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 4103861253926
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 4004791638400
Source: [ citation needed ]
11 October 2003
France  Flag of France (lighter variant).svg61–18Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Try: Dominici (2)
Harinordoquy
Jauzion (3)
Ibañez
Con: Michalak (4)
Pen: Michalak (6)
Try: Naevo
Caucaunibuca
Con: Little
Pen: Little (2)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 46,795
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

12 October 2003
Scotland  Flag of Scotland.svg32–11Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Try: Paterson (2)
Grimes
Taylor
Danielli
Con: Paterson
Townsend
Pen: Paterson
Try: Onozawa
Pen: Hirose (2)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 19,170
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

15 October 2003
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg19–18Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Try: Naevo
Con: Little
Pen: Little (4)
Try: Van Zyl
Schubert
Con: Hercus
Pen: Hercus (2)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 30,990
Referee: Joël Jutge (France)

18 October 2003
France  Flag of France (lighter variant).svg51–29Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Try: Michalak
Rougerie (2)
Pelous
Dominici
Crenca
Con: Michalak (5)
Merceron
Pen: Michalak (3)
Try: Konia
Ohata
Con: Kurihara (2)
Pen: Kurihara (5)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 21,309
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)

20 October 2003
Scotland  Flag of Scotland.svg39–15Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Try: Danielli (2)
Kerr
Townsend
Paterson
Con: Paterson (4)
Pen: Paterson (2)
Pen: Hercus (5)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 46,796
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

23 October 2003
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg41–13Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Try: Tuilevu (2)
Ligairi (2)
Vunibaka
Con: Little (2)
Pen: Little (4)
Try: Miller
Con: Miller
Pen: Miller
Drop: Miller
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 17,269
Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)

Andy Miller's drop goal, at 52 metres, remains the longest in Rugby World Cup history.


25 October 2003
France  Flag of France (lighter variant).svg51–9Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
Try: Betsen
Harinordoquy
Michalak
Galthié
Brusque
Con: Michalak (3)
Merceron
Pen: Michalak (4)
Drop: Michalak
Brusque
Pen: Paterson (3)
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 78,974
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)

27 October 2003
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg26–39Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Try: Kurihara
Ohata
Con: Kurihara (2)
Pen: Kurihara (4)
Try: Hercus
Eloff
Schubert
Van Zyl
Khasigian
Con: Hercus (4)
Pen: Hercus (2)
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Attendance: 19,653
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

31 October 2003
France  Flag of France (lighter variant).svg41–14Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Try: Liebenberg (3)
Poux
Bru
Con: Merceron (2)
Pen: Merceron (3)
Drop: Yachvili
Try: Hercus
Schubert
Con: Hercus (2)
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Attendance: 17,833
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

1 November 2003
Scotland  Flag of Scotland.svg22–20Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Try: Smith
Con: Paterson
Pen: Paterson (5)
Try: Caucaunibuca (2)
Con: Little (2)
Pen: Little (2)
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 37,137
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)

Pool C

South Africa vs Georgia, 24 October 2003 South Africa vs Georgia - WC 2003.jpg
South Africa vs Georgia, 24 October 2003

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPPtsQualification
Flag of England.svg  England 440025547+208319 Quarter-finals
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 430118460+124315
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 4202138117+21210
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 41035625519904
Flag of Georgia (1990-2004).svg  Georgia 40044620015400
Source: [ citation needed ]
11 October 2003
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg72–6Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay
Try: Van der Westhuizen (3)
Van Niekerk
Botha (2)
Delport
Fourie
Bands
Rossouw
Scholtz
Greef
Con: Koen (5)
Hougaard
Pen: Aguirre (2)
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 16,906
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

12 October 2003
England  Flag of England.svg84–6Flag of Georgia (1990-2004).svg  Georgia
Try: Tindall
Dawson
Thompson
Back
Dallaglio
Greenwood (2)
Regan
Cohen (2)
Robinson
Luger
Con: Wilkinson (5)
Grayson (4)
Pen: Wilkinson (2)
Pen: Urjukashvili
Jimsheladze
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 25,501
Referee: Pablo De Luca (Argentina)

15 October 2003
Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg60–13Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay
Try: Fa'asavalu (2)
Lima (2)
Tagicakibau
Fa'atau
Lemalu
Vili
Fe'aunati
Palepoi
Con: Va'a (3)
Vili (2)
Try: Capó
Lemoine
Pen: Aguirre
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 22,020
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)

18 October 2003
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg6–25Flag of England.svg  England
Pen: Koen (2)Try: Greenwood
Con: Wilkinson
Pen: Wilkinson (4)
Drop: Wilkinson (2)
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 38,834
Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

19 October 2003
Georgia  Flag of Georgia (1990-2004).svg9–46Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Pen: Jimsheladze (2)
Drop: Jimsheladze
Try: Tagicakibau
Va'a
Sititi
So'oialo
Fe'aunati
Lima
Con: Va'a (5)
Pen: Va'a (2)
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 21,507
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

24 October 2003
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg46–19Flag of Georgia (1990-2004).svg  Georgia
Try: Rossouw (2)
Hougaard
Van Niekerk
Fourie
Botha
Burger
Con: Hougaard (4)
Pen: Hougaard
Try: Dadunashvili
Con: Jimsheladze
Pen: Jimsheladze (3)
Kvirikashvili
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 34,308
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

26 October 2003
England  Flag of England.svg35–22Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Back
Penalty try
Balshaw
Vickery
Con: Wilkinson (3)
Pen: Wilkinson (2)
Drop: Wilkinson
Try: Sititi
Con: Va'a
Pen: Va'a (5)
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Attendance: 50,647
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

28 October 2003
Georgia  Flag of Georgia (1990-2004).svg12–24Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay
Pen: Urjukashvili
Kvirikashvili (3)
Try: Cardoso
Lamelas
Brignoni
Con: Aguirre (2)
Menchaca
Pen: Menchaca
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 28,576
Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)

1 November 2003
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg60–10Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Van Niekerk
Muller
Hougaard
Smith
Willemse
Fourie
Van der Westhuyzen
De Kock
Con: Hougaard (5)
Koen (2)
Pen: Hougaard
Drop: Hougaard
Try: Palepoi
Con: Va'a
Pen: Va'a
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 48,496
Referee: Chris White (England)

2 November 2003
England  Flag of England.svg111–13Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay
Try: Moody
Lewsey (5)
Balshaw (2)
Catt (2)
Gomarsall (2)
Luger
Abbott
Robinson (2)
Greenwood
Con: Grayson (11)
Catt (2)
Try: Lemoine
Con: Menchaca
Pen: Menchaca (2)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 46,233
Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)

Pool D

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPPtsQualification
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 440028257+225420 Quarter-finals
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 430113298+34214
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 4202771234608
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 4103541358115
Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 40044617813211
Source: [ citation needed ]
11 October 2003
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg70–7Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Try: B. Thorn
R. Thorne
Howlett (2)
Spencer (2)
Rokocoko (2)
Marshall
Carter
MacDonald
Con: Carter (6)
Pen: Spencer
Try: Phillips
Con: Peens
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Attendance: 41,715
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)

12 October 2003
Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg41–10Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Try: Parker
Cooper
M. Jones
Charvis
Thomas
Con: Harris (5)
Pen: Harris (2)
Try: Tkachuk
Con: Pritchard
Drop: Ross
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Attendance: 24,874
Referee: Chris White (England)

15 October 2003
Italy  Flag of Italy.svg36–12Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
Try: M. Dallan
D. Dallan (2)
Con: Wakarua (3)
Pen: Wakarua (5)
Try: Payne
Tuʻifua
Con: Tuipulotu
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 18,967
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

17 October 2003
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg68–6Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Try: Ralph (2)
So'oialo (2)
Muliaina (4)
Meeuws
Nonu
Con: Carter (9)
Pen: Barker (2)
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Attendance: 38,899
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)

19 October 2003
Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg27–20Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
Try: Cooper
M. Williams
Con: S. Jones
Pen: S. Jones (4)
Drop: M. Williams
Try: Hola
Kivalu
Lavaka
Con: Hola
Pen: Hola
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 19,806
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

21 October 2003
Italy  Flag of Italy.svg19–14Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Try: Parisse
Con: Wakarua
Pen: Wakarua (4)
Try: Fyffe
Pen: Barker (3)
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 20,515
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

24 October 2003
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg91–7Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
Try: Braid
Carter
Flynn
Ralph (2)
Spencer
Meeuws
Penalty try
Muliaina (2)
MacDonald
Howlett (2)
Con: MacDonald (12)
Spencer
Try: Hola
Con: Tuipulotu
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 47,588
Referee: Pablo De Luca (Argentina)

25 October 2003
Italy  Flag of Italy.svg15–27Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales
Pen: Wakarua (5)Try: M. Jones
Parker
D. Jones
Con: Harris (3)
Pen: Harris (2)
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 22,641
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)

29 October 2003
Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg24–7Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
Try: Fauth
Abrams
Con: Pritchard
Pen: Ross (4)
Try: Kivalu
Con: Hola
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Attendance: 15,630
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

2 November 2003
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg53–37Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales
Try: Rokocoko (2)
MacDonald
Williams
Howlett (2)
Spencer
Mauger
Con: MacDonald (5)
Pen: MacDonald
Try: Taylor
Parker
Charvis
S. Williams
Con: S. Jones (4)
Pen: S. Jones (3)
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 80,012
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

Knockout stage

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
8 November – Melbourne
 
 
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 29
 
15 November – Sydney (Telstra)
 
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 9
 
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 10
 
8 November – Brisbane
 
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 22
 
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 33
 
22 November – Sydney (Telstra)
 
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 16
 
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 17
 
9 November – Melbourne
 
Flag of England.svg  England (a.e.t.)20
 
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 43
 
16 November – Sydney (Telstra)
 
IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 21
 
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 7
 
9 November – Brisbane
 
Flag of England.svg  England 24Third place
 
Flag of England.svg  England 28
 
20 November – Sydney (Telstra)
 
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 17
 
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 40
 
 
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 13
 

Quarter-finals

8 November 2003
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg29–9Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Try: MacDonald 16' c
Mealamu 59' m
Rokocoko 72' m
Con: MacDonald
Pen: MacDonald (3)
Drop: Mauger 45'
Pen: Hougaard (3)
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Attendance: 40,734
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)

8 November 2003
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg33–16Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
Try: Mortlock 46' c
Gregan 59' c
Lyons 64' c
Con: Flatley (3)
Pen: Flatley (4)
Try: Russell 80' c
Con: Paterson
Pen: Paterson (2)
Drop: Paterson 38'
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 45,412
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

9 November 2003
France  Flag of France (lighter variant).svg43–21IRFU flag.svg  Ireland
Try: Magne 3' c
Dominici 29' c
Harinordoquy 33' c
Crenca 47' c
Con: Michalak (4) 4', 31', 34', 48'
Pen: Michalak (5) 21', 39', 42', 60', 72'
Report Try: Maggs 52' c
O'Driscoll (2) 65' c, 80+2' c
Con: Humphreys (3) 53', 66', 81'
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Attendance: 33,134
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

9 November 2003
England  Flag of England.svg28–17Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales
Try: Greenwood 44' c
Con: Wilkinson
Pen: Wilkinson (6)
Drop: Wilkinson 80+1'
Try: S. Jones 30' m
Charvis 35' m
M. Williams 71' c
Con: Harris
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 45,252
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Semi-finals

15 November 2003
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg10–22Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Try: Thorne 35' c
Con: MacDonald
Pen: MacDonald
Try: Mortlock 9' c
Con: Flatley
Pen: Flatley (5)
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 82,444
Referee: Chris White (England)

16 November 2003
France  Flag of France (lighter variant).svg7–24Flag of England.svg  England
Try: Betsen 10' c
Con: Michalak
Pen: Wilkinson (5)
Drop: Wilkinson (3) 9', 38', 58'
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 82,346
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

Third-place play-off

20 November 2003
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg40–13Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Try: Jack 12' c
Howlett 20' c
Rokocoko 51' c
Thorn 54' c
Muliaina 58' c
Holah 72' m
Con: MacDonald
Carter (4)
Try: Elhorga 42' c
Con: Yachvili
Pen: Yachvili
Drop: Yachvili
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 62,712
Referee: Chris White (England)

Final

22 November 2003
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg17–20 (a.e.t.)Flag of England.svg  England
Try: Tuqiri 6' m
Pen: Flatley (4)
Report Try: Robinson 38' m
Pen: Wilkinson (4)
Drop: Wilkinson 100'
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 82,957
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

Statistics

The tournament's top point scorer was England's Jonny Wilkinson, who scored 113 points. Doug Howlett and Mils Muliaina scored the most tries, seven in total.

PlayerTeamPositionPlayedTriesConv­ersionsPenal­tiesDrop goalsTotal pointsYellow cards
Jonny Wilkinson Flag of England.svg  England Fly-half 60102381130
Frédéric Michalak Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France Fly-half 62171811010
Elton Flatley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Centre 61162101000
Leon MacDonald Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Centre 742050750
Chris Paterson Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Fly-half 537131710
Mat Rogers Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Full-back 751600571
Mike Hercus Flag of the United States.svg  United States Fly-half 42790510
Rima Wakarua Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Fly-half 304140500
Earl Va'a Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa Fly-half 411080490
Dan Carter Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Fly-half 521900480

Broadcasters

The event was broadcast by Seven Network and Fox Sports in Australia and by ITV in the United Kingdom.

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