The Fiji national rugby union team has played in all Rugby World Cup tournaments, except in 1995, when they did not qualify. Their best performances have seen them become quarterfinalists in 1987, the 2007 and 2023.
Nation | Number of appearances | First appearance | Most recent appearance | Streak | Best result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fiji | 9 | 1987 | 2023 | 7 | Quarter finals 1987, 2007, 2023 |
Rugby World Cup record | Qualification | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad | Head coach | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1987 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 72 | 132 | Squad | J. Sovau | Invited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1991 | Pool Stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 63 | Squad | S. Viriviri | Automatically qualified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1995 | Did not qualify | 2nd | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1999 | Quarter-final play-offs | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 148 | 113 | Squad | B. Johnstone | 2nd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 151 | 116 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2003 | Pool Stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 98 | 114 | Squad | M. McCallion | 1st | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 123 | 80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 134 | 173 | Squad | I. Tabua | 2nd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 74 | 83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | Pool Stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 167 | Squad | S. Domoni | Automatically qualified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | Pool Stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 84 | 101 | Squad | J. McKee | 1st | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | Pool Stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 110 | 108 | Squad | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 112 | 113 | Squad | S. Raiwalui | Automatically qualified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | — | 37 | 13 | 0 | 24 | 844 | 1084 | — | — | — | 20 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 583 | 379 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pool 3 games –
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 190 | 34 | +156 | 30 | 6 | Knockout stage |
Fiji | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 56 | 101 | −45 | 6 | 2 [lower-alpha 1] | |
Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 40 | 110 | −70 | 5 | 2 [lower-alpha 1] | |
Argentina | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 49 | 90 | −41 | 4 | 2 [lower-alpha 1] |
24 May 1987 |
Argentina | 9–28 | Fiji |
Try: Penalty try Con: Porta Pen: Porta | Try: Gale Naivilawasa Nalaga Savai Con: Koroduadua (2) Rokowailoa Pen: Koroduadua (2) |
Rugby Park, Hamilton Attendance: 13,000 Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland) |
27 May 1987 |
New Zealand | 74–13 | Fiji |
Try: Gallagher (4) Green (4) Kirk Kirwan Penalty try Whetton Con: Fox (10) Pen: Fox (2) | Try: Cama Pen: Koroduadua (3) |
Lancaster Park, Christchurch Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Derek Bevan (Wales) |
31 May 1987 |
Fiji | 15–18 | Italy |
Try: Naivilawasa Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua (2) Drop: Qoro | Try: Cuttitta Cucchiella Mascioletti Pen: Collodo Drop: Collodo |
Carisbrook, Dunedin Attendance: 13,000 Referee: Keith Lawrence (New Zealand) |
Quarter final
7 June 1987 |
Fiji | 16–31 | France |
Tries: Qoro Damu Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua (2) | Tries: Rodriguez (2) Lorieux Lagisquet Con: Laporte (3) Pen: Laporte (2) Drop: Laporte |
Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Clive Norling |
Pool 4 games –
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 25 | +57 | 6 |
Canada | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 45 | 33 | +12 | 4 |
Romania | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 31 | 64 | −33 | 2 |
Fiji | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 63 | −36 | 0 |
5 October 1991 |
Canada | 13–3 | Fiji |
Tries: Stewart Pen: Rees (3) | Drop: Serevi |
Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald |
8 October 1991 |
France | 33–9 | Fiji |
Tries: Lafond (3), Sella (2), Camberabero Con: Camberabero (3) Pen: Camberabero | Tries: Naruma Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua |
Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble Referee: Derek Bevan |
12 October 1991 |
Fiji | 15–17 | Romania |
Pen: Turuva (2) Drop: Rabaka (2), Turuva | Tries: Ion, Dumitras, Sasu Con: Răcean Pen: Nichitean |
Parc Municipal des Sports, Brive Referee: Owen Doyle |
Pool 3 games –
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 52 | +56 | 9 |
Fiji | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 124 | 68 | +56 | 7 |
Canada | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 114 | 82 | +32 | 5 |
Namibia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 42 | 186 | −144 | 3 |
1 October 1999 21:00 CEST/GMT+2 (UTC+02) |
Fiji | 67–18 | Namibia |
Try: Lasagavibau (2) S. Tawake Rauluni Satala Mocelutu Smith Tiko Katalau Con: Serevi (8) Pen: Serevi (2) | Try: Jacobs Senekal Con: Van Dyk Pen: Van Dyk (2) |
Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers Attendance: 10,000 Referee: David McHugh (Ireland) |
9 October 1999 13:30 CEST/GMT+2 (UTC+02) |
Fiji | 38–22 | Canada |
Try: Satala (2) Vunibaka Lasagavibau Con: Little (3) Pen: Little (3) Drop: Little | Try: James Con: Rees Pen: Rees (4) Drop: Rees |
Parc Lescure, Bordeaux Attendance: 27,000 Referee: Ed Morrison (England) |
16 October 1999 14:00 CEST/GMT+2 (UTC+02) |
France | 28–19 | Fiji |
Try: Juillet Dominici Penalty try Con: Dourthe (2) Pen: Dourthe (2) Lamaison | Try: Uluinayau Con: Little Pen: Little (4) |
Stade de Toulouse Attendance: 36,000 Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
Quarter-final play-offs –
20 October 1999 13:00 WEST/GMT+1 (UTC+01) |
England | 45–24 | Fiji |
Try: Luger Back Beal Greening Con: Dawson Wilkinson Pen: Wilkinson (7) | Report | Try: Satala Nakauta Tiko Con: Little (3) Pen: Serevi |
Twickenham, London Attendance: 55,000 Referee: Clayton Thomas (Wales) |
Group B games –
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 70 | +134 | 4 | 20 | Quarter-finals |
Scotland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 97 | +5 | 2 | 14 | |
Fiji | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 98 | 114 | −16 | 2 | 10 | |
United States | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 86 | 125 | −39 | 2 | 6 | |
Japan | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 79 | 163 | −84 | 0 | 0 |
11 October 2003 |
France | 61–18 | Fiji |
Tries: Dominici (2), Harinordoquy, Jauzion (3), Ibañez Con: Michalak (4) Pen: Michalak (6) | Tries: Naevo, Caucaunibuca Con: Little Pen: Little (2) |
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 46,795 Referee: Alain Rolland |
15 October 2003 |
Fiji | 19–18 | United States |
Tries: Naevo Con: Little Pen: Little (4) | Tries: van Zyl, Schubert Con: Hercus Pen: Hercus (2) |
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 30,990 Referee: Joël Jutge |
23 October 2003 |
Fiji | 41–13 | Japan |
Tries: Tuilevu (2), Ligairi (2), Vunibaka Con: Little (2) Pen: Little (4) | Tries: Miller Con: Miller Pen: Miller Drop: Miller |
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 17,269 Referee: Nigel Whitehouse |
1 November 2003 |
Scotland | 22–20 | Fiji |
Tries: Smith Con: Paterson Pen: Paterson (5) | Tries: Caucaunibuca (2) Con: Little (2) Pen: Little (2) |
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 37,137 Referee: Tony Spreadbury |
Fiji were placed in Pool B of the 2007 Rugby World Cup along with Wales, Canada, Japan and Australia. After beating Japan and Canada in close matches, Fiji rested several key players against Australia for the crucial game against Wales. Australia defeated Fiji 55–12. Fiji's fate in the tournament came down to a "winner advances" game against Wales which Fiji won 38–34 and qualified for the quarter-finals for the second time. Former Wallaby great Michael Lynagh described the see-sawing match as one of the best matches "of all time". Fiji lost their quarter final match against South Africa, however their above expectations performance in the tournament resulted in them moving up to 9th in the world rankings – their highest ever position.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 215 | 41 | +174 | 4 | 20 | Qualified for the quarter-finals |
2 | Fiji | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 114 | 136 | −22 | 3 | 15 | |
3 | Wales | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 168 | 105 | +63 | 4 | 12 | Eliminated, automatic qualification for RWC 2011 |
4 | Japan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 64 | 210 | −146 | 1 | 3 | |
5 | Canada | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 51 | 120 | −69 | 0 | 2 |
12 September 2007 18:00 |
Japan | 31–35 | Fiji |
Tries: Thompson (2) 51' c, 78' c Soma 62' m Con: Onishi (2/3) Pen: Onishi (4/4) 18', 30', 40+', 43' | Report | Tries: Qera (2) 36' c, 49' c Rabeni 56' m Leawere 71' c Con: Little (3/4) Pen: Little (3/3) 4', 55', 74' |
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 34,500 Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa) |
16 September 2007 14:00 |
Fiji | 29–16 | Canada |
Tries: Leawere 22' c Ratuvou (2) 28' m, 80+' c Delasau 42' c Con: Little (3/4) Pen: Little (1/3) 8' | Report | Tries: Smith 60' c Con: Pritchard (1/1) Pen: Pritchard (3/4) 4', 27', 74' |
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 45,000 Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England) |
23 September 2007 14:30 |
Australia | 55–12 | Fiji |
Tries: Giteau (2) 17' c, 36' m Mitchell (3) 31' c, 70' c, 79' m Ashley-Cooper 57' c Hoiles 74' m Con: Giteau (4/6) Pen: Giteau (3/3) 28', 42', 50' Drop: Barnes (1/1) 44' | Report | Tries: Neivua 40+' m Ratuva 47' c Con: Bai (1/1) |
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier Attendance: 32,231 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
29 September 2007 17:00 |
Wales | 34–38 | Fiji |
Try: Popham 34' c S. Williams 45' c G. Thomas 48' m M. Jones 51' c M. Williams 73' m Con: Hook (1/1) S. Jones (2/4) Pen: S. Jones (1/2) 5' | Report | Tries: Qera 16' c Delasau 19' m Leawere 25' c Dewes 77' c Con: Little (3/4) Pen: Little (4/5) 21', 24', 54', 60' |
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes Attendance: 37,080 Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) |
7 October 2007 15:00 |
South Africa | 37–20 | Fiji |
Tries: Fourie 13' m Smit 35' m Pietersen 51' c Smith 70' c James 80' c Con: Montgomery (3/5) Pen: Steyn (1/1) 8' Montgomery (1/2) 63' | Report | Tries: Delasau 57' c Bobo 59' c Con: Bai (2/2) Pen: Bai (2/2) 26', 44' |
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 55,943 Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland) |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | South Africa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 24 | +142 | 21 | 2 | 18 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
2 | Wales | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 180 | 34 | +146 | 23 | 3 | 15 | |
3 | Samoa | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 91 | 49 | +42 | 9 | 2 | 10 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Fiji | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 167 | −108 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
5 | Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 44 | 266 | −222 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
10 September 2011 | Fiji | 49–25 | Namibia | International Stadium, Rotorua |
17 September 2011 | South Africa | 49–3 | Fiji | Regional Stadium, Wellington |
25 September 2011 | Fiji | 7–27 | Samoa | Eden Park, Auckland |
2 October 2011 | Wales | 66–0 | Fiji | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 141 | 35 | +106 | 17 | 1 | 17 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
2 | Wales | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 111 | 62 | +49 | 11 | 1 | 13 | |
3 | England | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 133 | 75 | +58 | 16 | 3 | 11 | Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Fiji | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 84 | 101 | −17 | 10 | 1 | 5 | |
5 | Uruguay | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 30 | 226 | −196 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
18 September 2015 | England | 35–11 | Fiji | Twickenham Stadium, London |
23 September 2015 | Australia | 28–13 | Fiji | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
1 October 2015 | Wales | 23–13 | Fiji | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
6 October 2015 | Fiji | 47–15 | Uruguay | Stadium mk, Milton Keynes |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wales | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 136 | 69 | +67 | 17 | 3 | 19 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup |
2 | Australia | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 68 | +68 | 20 | 4 | 16 | |
3 | Fiji | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 110 | 108 | +2 | 17 | 3 | 7 | Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Georgia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 122 | −57 | 9 | 1 | 5 | |
5 | Uruguay | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 60 | 140 | −80 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
21 September 2019 13:45 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Australia | 39–21 | Fiji |
Try: Hooper 18' c Hodge 36' m Latu (2) 57' m, 62' m Kerevi 69' c Koroibete 73' c Con: Lealiifano (1/2) 19' To'omua (2/3) 70', 74' Pen: Hodge (1/1) 51' | Report | Try: Yato 9' m Nayacalevu 44' c Con: Volavola (1/2) 46' Pen: Volavola (3/3) 5', 23', 31' |
Sapporo Dome, Sapporo Attendance: 36,482 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) |
25 September 2019 14:15 JST (UTC+09) |
(2 BP) Fiji | 27–30 | Uruguay |
Try: Dolokoto 8' m Mawi 19' c Ratuniyarawa 48' m Matawalu (2) 67' m, 80+1' m Con: J. Matavesi (1/3) 20' | Report | Try: Arata 14' c Diana 22' c Cat 26' c Con: Berchesi (3/3) 15', 23', 28' Pen: Berchesi (3/4) 38', 61', 76' |
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi Attendance: 14,025 Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France) |
3 October 2019 14:15 JST (UTC+09) |
Georgia | 10–45 | Fiji (1 BP) |
Try: Gorgodze 53' c Con: Matiashvili (1/1) 55' Pen: Matiashvili (1/2) 35' | Report | Try: Nayacalevu 20' c Lomani 45' m Tuisova 50' m Radradra (2) 61' c, 76' c Kunatani 68' c Ratuniyarawa 70' c Con: Volavola (5/7) 21', 63', 70', 72', 77' |
Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka Attendance: 21,069 Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) |
9 October 2019 18:45 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Wales | 29–17 | Fiji |
Try: Adams (3) 18' c, 31' c, 61' m L. Williams 69' c Con: Biggar (2/2) 20', 32' Patchell (1/2) 70' Pen: Patchell (1/1) 58' | Report | Try: Tuisova 4' m Murimurivalu 9' m Penalty try 54' |
Oita Stadium, Ōita Attendance: 33,379 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France) |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wales | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 59 | +84 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 19 | Advance to knockout stage, and qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
2 | Fiji | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 88 | 83 | +5 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 11 [lower-alpha 1] | |
3 | Australia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 90 | 91 | −1 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 11 [lower-alpha 1] | Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Portugal | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 64 | 103 | −39 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 6 | |
5 | Georgia | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 64 | 113 | −49 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 3 |
10 September 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
(1 BP) Wales | 32–26 | Fiji (2 BP) |
Try: Adams 7' m North 29' c Rees-Zammit 48' c Dee 66' c Con: Biggar (3/4) 30', 49', 67' Pen: Biggar (2/3) 3', 24' | Report | Try: Nayacalevu 14' c Tagitagivalu 17' c Tuisova 73' c Doge 78' m Con: Lomani (2/2) 15', 18' Tela (1/2) 73' |
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Attendance: 41,274 Referee: Matthew Carley (England) |
17 September 2023 17:45 CEST (UTC+2) |
(1 BP) Australia | 15–22 | Fiji |
Try: Nawaqanitawase 23' m Vunivalu 68' c Con: Donaldson (1/2) 70' Pen: Donaldson (1/1) 3' | Report | Try: Tuisova 43' c Con: Kuruvoli (1/1) 44' Pen: Kuruvoli (4/4) 12', 21', 27', 33' Lomani (1/3) 66' |
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne Attendance: 41,294 Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland) |
30 September 2023 17:45 CEST (UTC+2) |
Fiji | 17–12 | Georgia (1 BP) |
Try: Nayacalevu 51' c Habosi 68' c Con: Lomani (2/2) 52', 69' Pen: Lomani (1/2) 65' | Report | Pen: Matkava (2/2) 5', 80' Niniashvili (2/2) 19', 31' |
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Attendance: 39,862 Referee: Karl Dickson (England) |
8 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
(1 BP) Fiji | 23–24 | Portugal |
Try: Botia 48' c Doge 68' c Con: Lomani (2/2) 49', 69' Pen: Lomani (3/3) 10', 74', 76' | Report | Try: Storti 45' c Fernandes 51' c Marta 78' c Con: Marques (3/3) 47', 53', 79' Pen: Marques (1/1) 38' |
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 32,223 Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
15 October 2023 17:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
England | 30–24 | Fiji |
Try: Tuilagi 14' m Marchant 23' c Con: Farrell (1/2) 23' Pen: Farrell (5/6) 11', 34', 38', 54', 78' Drop: Farrell (1/1) 72' | Report | Try: Mata 28' c Ravai 64' c Botitu 68' c Con: Lomani (1/1) 29' Kuruvoli (2/2) 65', 70' Pen: Lomani (1/3) 20' |
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 61,863 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France) |
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Namibia has competed in seven Rugby World Cup tournaments, having qualified as the African representative. The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias after the Namibian national symbol, made their first appearance at the Rugby World Cup in 1999 and appeared at the following six tournaments. Namibia has so far played 26 games at that cup without ever winning one.
Uruguay has competed in five Rugby World Cup tournaments: 1999, 2003, 2015, 2019, and 2023.
The Rugby World Cup is a rugby union tournament held every four years and contested by the men's national teams of the member unions of World Rugby. The Wales national rugby union team has participated in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. Up to and including 2015, hosting of the tournament alternated between traditional rugby heartlands in the southern hemisphere and those in Europe. Wales was the primary host in 1999, with Cardiff's Millennium Stadium built to coincide with the event, and the other three tournaments played in Europe have also used venues in Wales to some degree. Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and its predecessor, the Cardiff Arms Park, will have hosted a total 21 matches over a total of four World Cups. This is the largest number of World Cup games hosted by one venue.
The Ireland national rugby union team have played in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. They have reached the quarter-finals at all but two tournaments, but have yet to progress to the semi-finals. They have finished top of their pool on three occasions.
Italy have competed in all the Rugby World Cup tournaments, having made their first appearance in the inaugural 1987 tournament. They have finished third in their pool at every tournament, except in 1999, the only tournament where they lost more than two games. Having never finished in the top two in their pool, they have never qualified to progress to the quarter-finals. They have won the most matches of those that have never made it to the quarter-finals.
The Canada national rugby union team has played in every Rugby World Cup except 2023 since the inaugural tournament in 1987. Their best performance was in 1991, when they beat Fiji and Romania, qualifying for the quarter-finals, where they lost to New Zealand.
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.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup was the tenth men's Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for national rugby union teams. It took place in France from 8 September to 28 October 2023 in nine venues across the country. The opening game and final took place at the Stade de France, north of Paris. The tournament was held in the bicentenary year of the purported invention of the sport by William Webb Ellis.
Pool D of the 2019 Rugby World Cup began on 21 September 2019. The pool included 2015 runners-up and quarter-finalists Australia and Wales. They were joined by Georgia, who automatically qualified for the first ever time. They were joined by regional qualifiers from the Americas, Uruguay (Americas 2), and Oceania, Fiji (Oceania 1).
Pool C of the 2023 Rugby World Cup began on 9 September 2023 and concluded on 8 October 2023. The pool included two-times champions Australia, and automatic qualifiers Wales and Fiji. They were joined by Georgia and Portugal.