The ninth Rugby World Cup is being held in Japan from Sept. 20 to Nov. 2, 2019. A total of 20 teams, including New Zealand, Japan, England, Australia and France, have qualified. Here is a look at some of the best photos from the tournament so far.
(Pictured) Russia’s Vasily Dorofeev gets tackled by Samoa’s Alapati Leiua during their match in Kumagaya, on Sept. 24.
Russia’s Yuri Kushnarev scores a penalty on Sept. 24.
Samoa’s Chris Vui is seen in a scrum on Sept. 24.
Team Samoa perform the Siva Tau before the match on Sept. 24.
Wales’ Gareth Davies in action as they defeat Georgia 43-14 on Sept. 23.
England’s Billy Vunipola blasts through the Tongan defense during their match in Sapporo on Sept. 22.
England’s Manu Tuilagi gestures after scoring his team’s second try against Tonga on Sept. 22.
Players from Tonga perform their traditional challenge of Sipi Tau prior to the match against England on Dec. 22.
Scotland’s Finn Russell grabs the ball during a match against Ireland in Yokohama on Sept. 22.
Ireland’s Conor Murray makes a run for it on Sept. 22.
A Scottish fan plays the bagpipes to show support on Sept. 22.
Italy’s Maxime Mbanda gets tackled by Namibian lock Tjiuee Uanivi during their match in Osaka on Sept. 22.
Italy’s Luca Morisi tries to power through the Namibian defense on Sept. 22.
Team South Africa look on as the All Blacks perform their traditional Haka prior to their match in Yokohama, on Sept. 21.
New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett (L) in action against South Africa on Sept. 21.
South Africa’s Lukhanyo Am tackles New Zealand’s Richie Mo’unga on Sept. 21.
South Africa’s Faf de Klerk (C) in action against New Zealand on Sept. 21.
Photographers capture the Haka performace on Sep. 21.
The All Blacks perform the Haka on Sept. 21.
TJ Perenara gestures during his team’s Haka performance on Sept. 21.
New Zealand players perform the haka before the match on Sept. 21.
French players applaud fans after defeating Argentina on Sept. 21.
France’s Charles Ollivon celebrates with fans after winning the match against Argentina on Sept. 21.
Pablo Matera of Argentina is tackled during a Group C game against France at Tokyo Stadium on Sept. 21.
Argentine fans cheer before the match on Sept. 21.
Players in action during the game between Argentina and France on Sept. 21.
France fans cheer on the team on Sept. 21.
France’s Sébastien Vahaamahina (L) and Arthur Iturria (R) tackle Argentina’s Jerónimo de la Fuente on Sept. 21.
Players of the Argentine team sing the national anthem before their game against France on Sept. 21.
Marika Koroibete (C) of Australia is tackled by Semi Radradra and Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji during a Group D game at Sapporo Dome on Sept. 21.
Fiji’s Peceli Yato scores during the game against Australia on Sept. 21.
The players of Fiji and Australia teams in action on Sept. 21.
Australian supporters enjoy the game against Fiji on Sept. 21.
Fiji players perform the Cibi prior to their match against Australia on Sept. 21.
Australian players huddle prior to their game against Fiji on Sept. 21.
Fiji and Australia players line up for the national anthems prior to the game on Sept. 21.
Japanese players bow after winning their first Pool A match against Russia at the Tokyo Stadium on Sept. 20.
Japan fans cheer during the match against Russia on Sept. 20.
Russia’s Stanislav Selskii is tackled by Japan’s Will Tupou on Sept. 20.
Japan’s Michael Leitch in action during the opening match against Russia on Sept. 20.
The Japan and Russia teams line up before the match on Sept. 20.
The members of the Japan and Russia team walk past the Webb Ellis Cup before the match on Sept. 20.
A fireworks display during the opening ceremony at the Tokyo Stadium on Sept. 20.
A Taiko drummer performs on Sept. 20.
Children perform during the opening ceremony on Sept. 20.
Dancers take part in the opening ceremony on Sept. 20.
A general view of performers during the opening ceremony on Sept. 20.
Former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw holds the Webb Ellis Cup aloft during the ceremony on Sept. 20.
The Blue Impulse aerobatic team perform over the stadium on Sept. 20.
Fans arrive for the opening match between Japan and Russia at the Tokyo Stadium on Sept. 20.
People take selfie before the opening match on Sept. 20.
Fans pose outside the stadium on Sept. 20.
The twice champion Wallabies meet much-improved Uruguay in Oita on Saturday having fallen heart-breakingly short in their 29-25 defeat by Pool D rivals Wales.
With no team having ever lost a pool game and gone on to win the tournament, history would suggest Michael Cheika’s side are up against it.
Dwyer, however, holds hope for Australia if they can do the basics well, and sees no better role model for that than the high-flying hosts who upset Ireland 19-12 last week.
“We could really take a blueprint out of Japan’s performance against Ireland,” Dwyer, who guided the Wallabies to their first World Cup triumph in 1991, told Reuters on Thursday.
“All the fundamentals of rugby were present in their performance.
“Honestly, it was almost like, if I were to do a video for coach education, it would be the Japanese game — it was excellent.”
The Brave Blossoms had showcased “exemplary” speed of realignment both in attack and in defence, and were doing all the simple things extremely well, he added.
“In attack they ran straight, they didn’t get too far apart and they didn’t line up too deeply. Deep alignment only gives opportunity for the (other side’s) defence,” said Dwyer.
“It sounds simple but the game is really just the sum total of a lot of simple things.”
Simplicity was not a quality Dwyer was willing to attribute to Australia’s selections, however.
Against Uruguay, the Wallabies have gone back to the halves combination of Nic White and Christian Lealiifano that started in the opener against Fiji, with Bernard Foley and Will Genia’s surprise promotions against the Welsh having fallen flat.
“I don’t know what’s running through the selectors’ minds,” said Dwyer.
“It’s hard to know in the distance what direction they’re going in.
“It’s easy to be right in hindsight, that said, we clearly got the selection of the team wrong (against Wales) in terms of performance.
“But if that helps us to make some good decisions in future, then, fine. It’s never black and white.”
If Dwyer was certain about one thing, it was that Australia could ill afford to treat Saturday’s match as a training run when they meet Uruguay at Oita Stadium.
Uruguay suffered a 33-7 reverse against Georgia on Sunday but the South Americans showed their pedigree with an impressive 30-27 upset of Pacific power Fiji in their opener.
“There’s a lot about Uruguay that also applies to the Argentines. They’re tough and they’re proud and they don’t give in,” said Dwyer.
“So if we think this is to enable us to work out who can play and can’t play, then we’re going to come to grief.
“We need to play this game in the same way as if we were against the top team in the competition.”
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