Rugby World Cup Schedule 2015: Forthcoming Fixtures, Top Points-Scorers, More
The 2015 Rugby World Cup encountered its first major upset on Saturday, as Japan shocked 2007 champions South Africa with a 34-32 win, so Wales and New Zealand will be warned when they start their World Cup bids on Sunday against Uruguay and Argentina, respectively.
The All Blacks are the defending champions and overwhelming favourites in Pool C, and in Argentina, they'll immediately face their toughest test of the group stages, at least on paper. But the Springboks' loss against Japan shows exactly why no one should be underestimated at this point, and it will be vital for New Zealand to come out and play their best rugby on Sunday.
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Here's the schedule for the upcoming fixtures:
| 20 September | Noon | Samoa | USA | Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton |
| 20 September | 2:30 p.m. | Wales | Uruguay | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
| 20 September | 4:45 p.m. | New Zealand | Argentina | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 23 September | 2:30 p.m. | Scotland | Japan | Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester |
| 23 September | 4:45 p.m. | Australia | Fiji | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
| 23 September | 8 p.m. | France | Romania | Olympic Stadium, London |
| 24 September | 8 p.m. | New Zealand | Namibia | Olympic Stadium, London |
| 25 September | 4:45 p.m. | Argentina | Georgia | Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester |
| 26 September | 2:30 p.m. | Italy | Canada | Elland Road, Leeds |
| 26 September | 4:45 p.m. | South Africa | Samoa | Villa Park, Birmingham |
| 26 September | 8 p.m. | England | Wales | Twickenham, London |
| 27 September | Noon | Australia | Uruguay | Villa Park, Birmingham |
| 27 September | 2:30 p.m. | Scotland | USA | Elland Road, Leeds |
| 27 September | 4:45 p.m. | Ireland | Romania | Wembley Stadium, London |
The current top points-scorers:
| Ayumu Goromaru | Japan | 24 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Frederic Michalak | France | 19 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Jonathan Sexton | Ireland | 14 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Mike Brown | England | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| George Ford | England | 8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Nemani Nadolo | Fiji | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Owen Farrell | England | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Merab Kvirikashvili | Georgia | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Pat Lambie | South Africa | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| D. T. H. van der Merwe | Canada | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Preview
The All Blacks smashed Argentina 39-18 during the Rugby Championship in July and are expected to cruise to another easy win over the Pumas. With Georgia recording a shock win over Tonga, and Namibia the other team doing battle in the group, the road to the knockout stages appears wide open for the two teams featuring on Sunday.
Jerome Kaino has returned to the side in place of Victor Vito, only adding to the incredible quality the All Blacks can boast. He'll be joined by Ma'a Nonu, who arrived in England one day after his team-mates, having delayed his flight due to illness, per Stuff.co.nz's Toby Robson.
As shared by the New Zealand Herald, the veteran was in good spirits, suggesting the illness didn't have any lasting effects:
Argentina have been in solid form in 2015 and made headlines with a shock win over South Africa during the summer, where playmaker Juan Martin Hernandez stole the show.
Coach Steven Hansen wouldn't want his troops to have it too easy in the group stages and be ill-prepared for what lies next. New Zealand have the talent to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup―complacency is the last thing the All Blacks need.
History suggests Sunday's clash shouldn't be too difficult, however. The Pumas have never beaten New Zealand, and after their huge Bledisloe Cup win over rivals Australia, the All Blacks' form appears to be as ominous as ever.
As reported by BBC Sport's Alexander Bisley, it's something that started back at the 2011 World Cup:
"Historically the All Blacks have been the dominant force in international rugby union - a 76% win rate speaks volumes for a glorious tradition.
But since winning the 2011 Rugby World Cup on home soil, New Zealand's supremacy and status as one of the world's most successful sporting teams has swelled incrementally.
They have played 47 Test matches in the last four years, and won 42 (89%), with two draws. Only three times - against England in late 2012, South Africa in October 2014, and Australia last month - have the All Blacks tasted defeat.
"
Expect Argentina to show their talent in spells, but the All Blacks to still cruise to a double-digit win, with bonus points likely.
Wales enter the tournament with some major injury concerns, with Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny missing from the squad, but coach Warren Gatland still felt comfortable enough to rest a number of key players when he named his starting squad to face Uruguay. George North, Jamie Roberts and Gethin Jenkins all won't be playing, per ESPN.co.uk's Will Kent.
The South Americans are the minnows of Pool A, and with matches against England, Australia and Fiji on the schedule, Sunday's clash is a must-win for the Welsh. It may not be pretty due to the absence of so many starters, but don't expect Wales to be tested by the inexperienced Uruguayan squad.
The USA and Samoa served up an entertaining match at the Pacific Nations Cup, and while the Eagles have never beaten Samoa, all of their past clashes have been close. Fans should be in for a tight affair on Sunday.
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