Match schedule for the 2019 World Cup
Rugby
By
Reuters/AFP
| Nov 02, 2017
New Zealand will begin their quest for a third successive Rugby World Cup title with a heavyweight clash against South Africa at the 2019 tournament in Japan.
The All Blacks are scheduled to face their old southern hemisphere foes in Yokohama on September 21, a day after hosts Japan kick off the competition against Europe's top qualifier, likely to be Romania, organisers announced in Tokyo on Thursday.
France, drawn in the so-called "Group of Death" alongside England and Argentina, also open their campaign on September 21 with a key Pool C fixture against the Pumas in Tokyo.
Title contenders England take on Tonga in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo the following day.
Two-time champions Australia face a potentially tricky opener against Fiji in Pool D, where Wales open against Georgia.
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Matches will be played at 12 venues including Kamaishi in northeast Japan, which was ravaged by the 2011 tsunami and resulting nuclear disaster.
POOL A
Sept. 20 Japan v Europe 1, Tokyo
Sept. 22 Ireland v Scotland, Yokohama
Sept. 24 Europe 1 v Playoff winner, Kumagaya
Sept. 28 Japan v Ireland, Shizuoka
Sept. 30 Scotland v Playoff winner, Kobe
Oct. 3 Ireland v Europe 1, Kobe
Oct. 5 Japan v Playoff winner, Toyota
Oct. 9 Scotland v Europe 1, Shizuoka
Oct. 12 Ireland v Playoff winner, Fukuoka
Oct. 13 Japan v Scotland, Yokohama
POOL B
Sept. 21 New Zealand v South Africa, Yokohama
Sept. 22 Italy v Africa 1, Osaka
Sept. 26 Italy v Repechage winner, Fukuoka
Sept. 28 South Africa v Africa 1, Toyota
Oct. 2 New Zealand v Repechage winner, Oita
Oct. 4 South Africa v Italy, Shizuoka
Oct. 6 New Zealand v Africa 1, Tokyo
Oct. 8 South Africa v Repechage winner, Kobe
Oct. 12 New Zealand v Italy, Toyota
Oct. 13 Africa 1 v Repechage winner, Kamaishi
POOL C
Sept. 21 France v Argentina, Tokyo
Sept. 22 England v Tonga, Sapporo
Sept. 26 England v United States, Kobe
Sept. 28 Argentina v Tonga, Osaka
Oct. 2 France v United States, Fukuoka
Oct. 5 England v Argentina, Tokyo
Oct. 6 France v Tonga, Kumamoto
Oct. 9 Argentina v United States, Kumagaya
Oct. 12 England v France, Yokohama
Oct. 13 United States v Tonga, Osaka
POOL D
Sept. 21 Australia v Fiji, Sapporo
Sept 23 Wales v Georgia, Toyota
Sept. 25 Fiji v Americas 2, Kamaishi
Sept. 29 Georgia v Americas 2, Kumagaya
Sept. 29 Australia v Wales, Tokyo
Oct. 3 Georgia v Fiji, Osaka
Oct. 5 Australia v Americas 2, Oita
Oct. 9 Wales v Fiji, Oita
Oct. 11 Australia v Georgia, Shizuoka
Oct. 13 Wales v Americas 2, Kunamoto
Quarter-finals
Oct. 19 Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D, Oita (QF1)
Oct. 19 Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A, Tokyo (QF2)
Oct. 20 Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C, Oita (QF3)
Oct. 20 Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B, Tokyo (QF4)
Semi-finals
Oct. 26 Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2, Yokohama
Oct. 27 Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4, Yokohama
Final
Nov. 2 Yokohama