Rugby World Cup
All Blacks Run Riot Against Canada
New Zealand have maintained their 100% start to the World Cup with a comfortable win over Canada
The All Blacks have blitzed Canada 63-0 in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup this morning as they make it two wins from two in Japan.
An early penalty try along with tries for Jordie Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell and a brace from Brad Webber saw New Zealand sweep the floor with Canada.
The All Blacks got off to a perfect start and were awarded a penalty try after just five minutes after putting massive pressure on the Canadian scrum.
On nine minutes they were in for try number two as Richie Mo’unga sent a wonderful cross-field kick over to the right corner, where Jordie Barrett caught the ball in acres of space for an easy touchdown. Mo’unga provided the extras to make it 14-0.
After 17 minutes they had another try as a powerful run from Sonny Bill saw him reach out and place the ball on the whitewash, again, Mo’unga sent the conversion over and it was 21-0.
Canada came into the game over the following 20 minutes, but after coming close on a couple of occasions it was New Zealand who got in for the bonus-point score with four minutes to go until half-time as Sonny Bill sent a lovely grubber kick under the posts where Beauden Barrett had the easy task of putting the ball down. Mo’unga kicked the final points of the half as New Zealand went in 28-0 up.
The All Blacks came out in sensational form at the start of the second-half and scored a further four tries in the opening 10 minutes.
The first came less than a minute into the half as Williams made a brilliant break through the Canadian defence before passing over to Ioane in the left corner, who dived over for the try. Mo’unga made it 35-0 with the conversion from the touchline.
Four minutes later and Scott Barrett ensured that all three of the Barrett brothers got in on the scoring act as he was put through by captain Kieran Read close to the line, with Mo’unga stretching out the lead.
Almost straight from the kick-off and they were in once more, as Ioane turned provider this time, breaking through the defence before passing it on to Frizell to touchdown, Mo’unga made it 49-0.
As they 50th minute came up, Beauden Barrett made a fizzing run through the defence from his own half before gifting the ball to substitute scrum-half Webber, who raced over for try number eight. Man of the match Mo’unga made sure that New Zealand matched their first half tally with another perfect conversion.
Webber was in again eight minutes later as New Zealand pulled off a beautiful move from a scrum on half-way as Mo’unga took the ball up before offloading to Webber who did the rest. Mo’unga continued his 100% record to make it 63-0.
Despite the All Blacks having multiple chances to add to their score there were a lot of handling errors leaving it at 63-0.
The All Blacks will hope to make it a third win in a row when they take on Namibia on Sunday as they look to continue their march towards a third Webb Ellis Cup on the bounce. While Canada will face another tough task when they meet the Springboks next Tuesday.
New Zealand Player Ratings
Starting XV:
Atu Moli (7), Liam Coltman (7), Angus Ta’avao (6), Patrick Tuipulotu (7), Scott Barrett (8), Shannon Frizell (8), Matt Todd (8), Kieran Read (8), TJ Perenara (7), Richie Mo’unga (9), Rieko Ioane (7), Sonny Bill Williams (9), Jack Goodhue (7), Jordie Barrett (8), Beauden Barrett (9)
Replacements (9)
World Rugby has made the difficult decision to recommend the postponement of Rugby World Cup 2021, scheduled to be hosted in New Zealand between 18 September-16 October, until next year. The recommendation will be considered by the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee on 8 and 9 March respectively.Play Video
While appreciating the recommendation is extremely disappointing for teams and fans, it has their interests at heart, and gives the tournament the best opportunity to be all it can be for them, all New Zealanders and the global rugby family.
The recommendation is based on the evolution of the uncertain and challenging global COVID-19 landscape. It has become clear in recent discussions with key partners including New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Government and participating unions, that, given the scale of the event and the COVID-19-related uncertainties, it is just not possible to deliver the environment for all teams to be the best that they can be on the sport’s greatest stage.
The challenges include uncertainty and the ability for teams to prepare adequately for a Rugby World Cup tournament both before and on arrival in New Zealand, and challenging global travel restrictions.
World Rugby can assure teams, New Zealanders and the global rugby family that the recommendation to postpone the tournament will help to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2021 will be all it can be next year for players, fans and the rugby family – one of the great Rugby World Cups.
Further updates will be issued following the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee meetings next week.
Statement Ends.
Confirmed.
How the draw worked
As host nation, France was drawn first and placed randomly in one of the four pools. The teams were then drawn randomly from each band, starting with Band 5 (Africa 1, Oceania 1, Asia / Pacific 1, Final Qualifier Winner), then Band 4 (Americas 1, Americas 2, Europe 1, Europe 2), then Band 3 (Scotland, Argentina, Fiji and Italy), then Band 2 (Ireland, (France), Australia, Japan) and finally Band 1 (South Africa, New Zealand, England, Wales). The first drawn in each band was placed in Pool A, the second in Pool B, the third in Pool C and the fourth in Pool D.
Draw seedings
Twelve of the 20 teams qualified automatically by finishing in the top three places of their Rugby World Cup 2019 pool. These 12 teams are: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Wales, Ireland, France, Australia, Japan, Scotland, Argentina, Fiji and Italy. Acknowledging the global COVID-19 impact on international rugby in 2020, these teams were seeded based on the World Rugby Men’s Rankings as of 1 January, 2020 and placed into the first three bands of four teams.
The remaining eight teams will come through the regional qualification process and were allocated for the draw into bands four and five based on relative strength. They are: Americas 1, Americas 2, Europe 1, Europe 2, Africa 1, Oceania 1, Asia / Pacific 1 and the Final Qualifier Winner.
- Process designed to promote regional strength and the best teams to rugby’s showcase event
- 12 teams already qualified owing to top three pool placing at RWC 2019
- RWC 2023 on track to be a spectacular celebration of rugby and France
World Rugby has announced details of the qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
Following the most competitive and widely-acclaimed Rugby World Cup to date in Japan, the qualification process is designed to deliver the top teams in the world to rugby’s showcase tournament, while promoting a genuine opportunity for all unions.
With 12 teams having secured their place at France 2023 courtesy of finishing in the top three of their respective pools at RWC 2019, the remaining eight places will be determined by a process of regional and cross-regional qualifiers. The process will conclude with a four-team round-robin Final Qualification Tournament in November 2022 to determine the final qualifier.
The dates for events in 2021 will be announced in due course and will be subject to an anticipated easing of the COVID-19 situation.
The announcement follows consultation with unions and regions in January 2020 and a full review of performance at Rugby World Cup 2019, where rankings upsets and the impressive performances in particular of Japan, Fiji, Uruguay, Tonga and Georgia cut the performance gap, with the average winning margin between established and emerging unions decreasing in comparison with 2015 benchmarks.
The Americas will deliver two direct places, while Oceania will deliver a direct qualifier with a further direct place available following a play-off with Asia. The Rugby Europe Championship (two direct places), Rugby Africa Cup (one direct place) and Final Qualification Tournament (one direct place) will provide the other qualifiers. Further details are provided below.
RWC 2023 qualification principles
- Americas: the Americas will qualify two teams by September 2022. The third best team in the region will enter the Final Qualification Tournament – Americas 1 & Americas 2
- Europe: the existing Rugby Europe Championship will have two qualifying places, with the two best teams in March 2022 qualifying directly and the third placed entering the Final Qualification Tournament – Europe 1 & Europe 2
- Africa: the Rugby Africa Cup 2022 winner will qualify directly and the runner-up team will go to Final Qualification – Africa 1
- Oceania: a home and away play-off between Tonga and Samoa in 2021 will determine the direct qualifier for the Oceania region. – Oceania 1
The loser will then play the Oceania Rugby Cup 2021 winner in the highest ranked team’s country with the eventual winner contesting Asia / Pacific (see below) as Oceania 2 - Asia / Pacific: the winner of the Asian Rugby Men’s Championship 2021 will play Oceania 2 home and away. The winner on aggregate will determine the qualifier and the loser will go to Final Qualification – Asia / Pacific 1
- Final Qualification Tournament: the tournament in November 2022 will feature four teams playing in a round-robin format with the winner qualifying for RWC 2023 – Final Qualification winner
Teams already qualified: South Africa, England, New Zealand, Wales, Japan, France (host), Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Argentina, Fiji
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “With the global pandemic having halted most rugby activity, confirmation of the global qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2023 provides a beacon of excitement for all, including players and fans.
“The process that has been developed via full consultation with our regional associations and member unions will provide a genuine opportunity for full member unions to qualify for our showcase men’s 15s event.
“Maximising existing regional competitions, the process is good for regions and unions in managing costs for organisers and participants alike, which is important as we all recover from the global pandemic.
“On behalf of World Rugby, I’d like to wish all teams involved the best of luck on their journey to France 2023.”
Rugby World Cup France 2023 CEO Claude Atcher added: “This qualification process gives emerging unions an opportunity to take part in our sport’s biggest competition.
“The success of Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan and performances by the host nation is a testimony of rugby’s expansion globally. As the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is about to be won, I welcome this optimistic prospect of reconnecting with the excitement of our sport. This is the start of our journey towards France 2023, which will be the best tournament ever delivered.”
Final details of the regional competition formats and dates will be announced in due course.
Official Press Release from World Rugby
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