The Rugby World Cup kicks off today with hosts Japan taking on Russia in Tokyo, RNZ takes a look at what games are worth watching.
The All Blacks 2019 Rugby World Cup schedule. Photo: Photosport / Suneil Narsai
All Blacks matches
New Zealand vs South Africa
Time: 9.45pm NZT, Saturday 21 September
Location: Yokohama Stadium, Yokohama
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport, a one hour delay on TVNZ 1 or RNZ's liveblog of the match.
This match will arguably be the All Blacks' most important at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. A win for New Zealand should mean the All Blacks will finish top of Pool B while a loss would mean finishing second. The quarterfinalists from Pool B will play the two teams that come out of Pool A. Pool A has world number one Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Russia and Samoa all vying for those two spots. The last three matches between New Zealand and South Africa have ended in a win each and a draw, making Saturday's match all the more intriguing and a must watch.
New Zealand vs Canada
Time: 11.15pm NZT, Wednesday 2 October
Location: Oita Stadium, Oita
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport, a one hour delay on TVNZ 1 or RNZ's liveblog of the match.
New Zealand's second match of the tournament against 22nd ranked Canada won't be much of a contest compared to South Africa (the All Blacks will suggest otherwise at their media conferences). The All Blacks coaching staff will likely rotate a number of players in and out of the matchday 23 for Canada, but New Zealand should still win comfortably.
New Zealand vs Namibia
Time: 5.45pm NZT, Sunday 6 October
Location: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport, a one hour delay on TVNZ 1 or RNZ's liveblog of the match.
Namibia is ranked one place back from Canada in 23rd so again, New Zealand should win this comfortably. The All Blacks will again rotate players but will be trying to get to their near full strength line up by this stage to ensure combinations are building and any rust can dissipate.
New Zealand vs Italy
Time: 5.45pm NZT, Saturday 12 October
Location: Toyota Stadium, Toyota City
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport, a one hour delay on TVNZ 1 or RNZ's liveblog of the match.
This will be New Zealand's final pool match and second toughest challenge from their group. While Italy are part of the Six Nations tournament in Europe, the All Blacks should again win this comfortably to progress to the quarterfinals.
'The magnificent seven'
A term coined by RNZ contributor Hamish Bidwell for the other pool matches worth watching.
Australia vs Fiji (Pool D)
Time: 4.45pm NZT, Saturday 21 September
Location: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo City
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport or RNZ's liveblog of the match.
Given the make up of each pool, Fiji stands the best chance out of the Pacific Island nations of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup. Australia and Fiji are only separated by three places on the World Rugby rankings and given the Wallabies' form in recent years, Fiji could cause the upset of the tournament on just the second day.
The All Blacks-South Africa Pool B match up is being touted as the game of the tournament. Photo: Photosport
Ireland vs Scotland (Pool A)
Time: 7.45pm NZT, Sunday 22 September
Location: International Stadium, Yokohama
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport
Ireland head into the tournament as the number one side in the world and face their Six Nations rivals Scotland in their first match. Ireland beat Scotland 22-13 in this year's Six Nations and are expected to win on Saturday, but the match still promises to be the tightest contest in Pool A.
Japan vs Ireland (Pool A)
Time: 7.15pm NZT, Saturday 28 September
Location: Shizuoka Stadium, Shizuoka
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport
This match has the potential to be a blowout but the atmosphere at Shizuoka Stadium for the hosts taking on the number one side in the world will no doubt be electric.
England vs Argentina (Pool C)
Time: 9pm NZT, Saturday 5 October
Location: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport
World number three England should beat their 11th ranked opponents, Argentina, comfortably but given England's history at the last World Cup, and Argentina's ability to surprise - anything is possible.
Wales vs Fiji (Pool D)
Time: 10.45pm NZT, Wednesday 9 October
Location: Oita Stadium, Oita City
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport, a one hour delay on TVNZ 1 or RNZ's liveblog of the match.
Wales is touted to finish top of Pool D but this match, Fiji's final group game, could have big implications for the tournament if the Pacific Island nation can cause an upset.
England vs France (Pool C)
Time: 9.15pm NZT, Saturday 12 October
Location: International Stadium, Yokohama
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport
This will be the match of Pool C in the battle of the Channel. In the four times the two sides have met each other since the last World Cup, England have won three and France one. England should and will likely come out on top after thumping France 44-8 earlier this year in the Six Nations. If England were to win it would have a big impact on the outcome of the pool with Argentina likely to be pushing France for second.
Japan vs Scotland (Pool A)
Time: 11.45pm, Sunday 13 October
Location: International Stadium, Yokohama
How to watch: Live on Spark Sport
This match will be billed as the battle for second place in Pool A. By this stage it may well and truly be settled but it will be the host's last chance to impress their home crowd and possibly force their way into the quarterfinals. For Scotland they'll be wanting to secure their spot in the quarters by putting in a strong final pool match performance.
Check out RNZ's dedicated Rugby World Cup page for all the latest news and information on the tournament.
