The other game to take into account is the most recent, a pre-World Cup warmup that threw up a record 35-7 win for the Springboks — the All Blacks’ worst defeat ever, and a bolt out of the blue.

145: The All Blacks notched the biggest score in Rugby World Cup history with a 145-17 win over Japan in 1995. 4: Sam Whitelock is set to appear at his fourth Rugby World Cup. No All Blacks player has ...

The six competing teams are all in the top 25 of World Rugby’s global rankings, with Fiji placed 9th, Japan, Samoa and the U.S. ranked 13th, 14th and 15th respectively, Tonga 19th and Canada 24th.

Hong Kong has qualified for its first men’s Rugby World Cup after beating South Korea 70-22 in Incheon to win the Asia Championship.

Salt Lake City will host the Pacific Nations Cup, a Rugby World Cup qualifier. The tournament includes top teams like Fiji, Japan, and the United States. Matches begin Aug. 22, with the final in ...