2003 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches

Throughout August 2003, various teams prepared for the Rugby World Cup in Australia with a short series of test matches, and involving the Six Nations sides. In addition, Fiji toured New Zealand and South America and Samoa played two matches with provincial teams of New Zealand. Argentina and South Africa played other, not international, Tests.

The tests replaced the Autumn international series in November, which does not take place in World Cup years. There were two tournaments involving teams that were preparing for the World Cup.

The 2003 Tri Nations, with Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
The Pan American championship with Argentina, Canada, United States, Uruguay

There were also a tour of Fiji in New Zealand and South America

Note: this article does not include international results not involving at least one side who had qualified for the 2003 World Cup

26 July

26 July 2003

Canada	27–65	NZ Māori
Try: Ross Stanley Tkachuk Witkowski Con: Ross (2) Pen: Ross		Try: Austin (2) Cribb Flavell Gear Haami (2) Jackson Maddock (2) Con: Jackson (2) Walker (4) Pen: Walker

Kingsland, Calgary
Attendance: 6,500

Team details


FB	15	James Pritchard
RW	14	Sean Fauth
OC	13	Nik Witkowski
IC	12	John Cannon
LW	11	Winston Stanley
FH	10	Bobby Ross
SH	9	Morgan Williams
N8	8	Phil Murphy
OF	7	Adam van Staveren
BF	6	Ryan Banks (c)
BF	5	Colin Yukes
LL	4	Mike James
TP	3	Garth Cooke
HK	2	Mark Lawson
LP	1	Kevin Tkachuk
Replacements:
PR	16	Kevin Wirachowski
HK	17	Pat Dunkley
FL	18	Jim Douglas
N8	19	Jeff Reid
SH	20	Ed Fairhurst
CE	21	Ryan Smith
SH	22	Marco di Girolamo
Coach:
David Clark


FB	15	Christian Cullen
RW	14	Joe Maddock
OC	13	Rico Gear
IC	12	Norm Berryman
LW	11	Shayne Austin
FH	10	Willie Walker
SH	9	David Gibson
N8	8	Ron Cribb
OF	7	Troy Flavell
BF	6	Germaine Anaha
RL	5	Paul Tito (c)
LL	4	Kris Ormsby
TP	3	Carl Hayman
HK	2	Slade McFarland
LP	1	Joe McDonnell
Replacements:
CE	16	Bryce Robins
FH	17	Glen Jackson
SH	18	Brendan Haami
FL	19	Wayne McEntee
LK	20	Warren Smith
PR	21	Deacon Manu
Coach:

2 August

2 August 2003

Canada	9–30	NZ Maori
Pen: Pritchard (3)		Try: Cullen Flavell (2) McFarland Maddock Con: Walker Pen: Walker

York Stadium, Toronto
Referee: R. Maybank (England)

Team details


FB	15	James Pritchard
RW	14	John Cannon
OC	13	Marco di Girolamo
IC	12	Matt King
LW	11	Winston Stanley
FH	10	Ryan Smith
SH	9	Morgan Williams
N8	8	Ryan Banks (c)
OF	7	Adam van Staveren
BF	6	Jim Douglas
RL	5	Colin Yukes
LL	4	Mike James
TP	3	Garth Cooke
HK	2	Pat Dunkley
LP	1	Kevin Tkachuk
Replacements:
HK	16	Mark Lawson
PR	17	Kevin Wirachowski
N8	18	Phil Murphy
SH	19	Ed Fairhurst
FH	20	Bobby Ross
WG	21	Sean Fauth
CE	22	Nik Witkowski
Coach:
David Clark


FB	15	Christian Cullen
RW	14	Joe Maddock
OC	13	Rico Gear
IC	12	Norm Berryman
LW	11	Shayne Austin
FH	10	Willie Walker
SH	9	Brendan Haami
N8	8	Ron Cribb
OF	7	Troy Flavell
BF	6	Wayne McEntee
RL	5	Paul Tito (c)
LL	4	Kris Ormsby
TP	3	Carl Hayman
HK	2	Slade McFarland
LP	1	Joe McDonnell
Replacements:
FH	16	Glen Jackson
FL	17	Germaine Anaha
LK	18	Warren Smith
PR	19	Deacon Manu
HK	20	Scott Linklater
Coach:

12 August

13 August 2003

North Auckland	17–27	Western Samoa XV

Whangarei

15 August

15 August 2003

Narbonne	29–7	Romania XV

Parc des Sports, Narbonne

16 August

16 August 2003

Ireland	35–12	Wales
Try: O'Connell 2 O'Kelly Quinlan Wallace Con: Humphreys 4 Murphy		Try: G. Evans Thomas Con: Harris

Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Referee: Joel Dumè (France)

Team details


FB	15	Geordan Murphy
RW	14	Tyrone Howe	62'
OC	13	Brian O'Driscoll
IC	12	Kevin Maggs
LW	11	Anthony Horgan
FH	10	David Humphreys	77'
SH	9	Peter Stringer	77'
N8	8	Anthony Foley	41'
OF	7	Keith Gleeson
BF	6	Alan Quinlan
RL	5	Paul O'Connell
LL	4	Malcolm O'Kelly	68'
TP	3	Simon Best	62'
HK	2	Keith Wood (c)	68'
LP	1	Reggie Corrigan
Replacements:
HK	16	Shane Byrne	68'
PR	17	Justin Fitzpatrick	62'
LK	18	Donncha O'Callaghan	68'
FL	19	David Wallace	41'
SH	20	Guy Easterby	77'
CE	21	Gordon D'Arcy	77'
FB	22	Girvan Dempsey	62'
Coach:
Eddie O'Sullivan


FB	15	Nick Robinson
RW	14	Garan Evans
OC	13	Jamie Robinson
IC	12	Iestyn Harris
LW	11	Gareth Thomas (c)
FH	10	Ceri Sweeney
SH	9	Dwayne Peel
N8	8	Alix Popham
OF	7	Richard Parks
BF	6	Rhys Oakley
RL	5	Gareth Llewellyn
LL	4	Michael Owen	66'
TP	3	Ben Evans	52'
HK	2	Mefin Davies	67'
LP	1	Duncan Jones
Replacements:
HK	16	Huw Bennett	67'
PR	17	Gethin Jenkins	52'
LK	18	Vernon Cooper	66'
FL	19	Robin Sowden-Taylor
SH	20	Andy Williams
CE	21	Andy Marinos
WG	22	Nathan Brew
Coach:
Steve Hansen

^[1]

18 August

18 August 2003

Auckland	21–16	Western Samoa XV

Auckland

22 August

22 August 2003

France	56–8	Romania
Try: Betsen Crenca Harinordoquy Jauzion Liebenberg Magne Rougerie Traille Con: Merceron Michalak (7)		Try: Brezoianu Pen: Dumbravă

Stade Félix-Bollaert, Lens
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: Giulio De Santis (Italy)

France: 15. Pepito Elhorga, 14. Aurélien Rougerie, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 12. Damien Traille, 11. Christophe Dominici, 10. Frédéric Michalak, 9. Fabien Galthié (c), 8. Jean-Jacques Crenca, 7. Yannick Bru, 6. Sylvain Marconnet, 5. Fabien Pelous, 4. Serge Betsen, 3. Jérôme Thion, 2. Olivier Magne, 1. Imanol Harinordoquy; Replacements: 16. Raphaël Ibañez, 17. Olivier Milloud, 18. David Auradou, 19. Christian Labit, 20. Dimitri Yachvili, 21. Gérald Merceron, 22. Brian Liebenberg
Romania: 15. Dănuț Dumbravă, 14. Cristian Săuan, 13. Valentin Maftei, 12. Romeo Gontineac (c), 11. Gabriel Brezoianu, 10. Ionuț Tofan, 9. Lucian Sîrbu, 8. Ovidiu Tonița, 7. Costica Mersoiu, 6. George Chiriac, 5. Cristian Petre, 4. Sorin Socol, 3. Marcel Socaciu, 2. Marius Țincu, 1. Petru Bălan; Replacements: 16. Petrișor Toderașc, 17. Cezar Popescu, 18. Augustin Petrechei, 19. Alex Tudori, 20. Cristian Podea, 22. Mihai Vioreanu; Unused: 21. Iulian Andrei

23 August

^[2]^[3]

23 August 2003

Scotland	47–15	Italy
Try: Blair Danielli Laney McLaren Ross White Con: Paterson (2) Ross (2) Pen: Ross (3)		Try: Mazzucato Palmer Con: Pez Pen: Pez

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Donal Courtney (Ireland)

Scotland: 15. Ben Hinshelwood, 14. Simon Danielli, 13. James McLaren, 12. Andrew Henderson, 11. Kenny Logan, 10. Gordon Ross, 9. Mike Blair, 8. Tom Smith, 7. Robbie Russell, 6. Bruce Douglas, 5. Scott Murray (c), 4. Jason White, 3. Nathan Hines, 2. Jon Petrie, 1. Simon Taylor; Replacements: 16. Gordon Bulloch, 17. Gordon McIlwham, 18. Iain Fullarton, 19. Martin Leslie, 21. Chris Paterson, 22. Brendan Laney; Unused: 20. Graeme Beveridge
Italy: 15. Gert Peens, 14. Nicola Mazzucato, 13. Andrea Masi, 12. Cristian Stoica, 11. Mirco Bergamasco, 10. Ramiro Pez, 9. Alessandro Troncon (c), 8. Matthew Phillips, 7. Scott Palmer, 6. Maurizio Zaffiri, 5. Marco Bortolami, 4. Santiago Dellapè, 3. Salvatore Perugini, 2. Carlo Festuccia, 1. Andrea Lo Cicero; Replacements: 16. Fabio Ongaro, 17. Ramiro Martinez-Frugoni, 18. Sergio Parisse, 19. Mauro Bergamasco, 21. Francesco Mazzariol, 22. Gonzalo Canale; Unused: 20. Juan Manuel Queirolo

23 August 2003

Wales	9–43	England
Pen: S. Jones (3)		Try: Abbott Luger Moody West Worsley Con: King (2) Walder Pen: King (3) Drop: King

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 66,000
Referee: Pablo DeLuca (Argentina)

Wales: 15. Rhys Williams, 14. Mark Jones, 13. Mark Taylor, 12. Sonny Parker, 11. Gareth Thomas, 10. Stephen Jones (c), 9. Gareth Cooper, 1. Iestyn Thomas, 2. Robin McBryde, 3. Gethin Jenkins, 4. Robert Sidoli, 5. Chris Wyatt, 6. Colin Charvis, 7. Martyn Williams, 8. Dafydd Jones; Replacements: 16. Gareth Williams, 17. Adam R. Jones, 18. Jonathan Thomas, 19. Gavin Thomas; Unused: 20. Mike Phillips, 21. Gavin Henson, 22. Tom Shanklin
England: 15. Dan Scarbrough, 14. James Simpson-Daniel, 13. Jamie Noon, 12. Stuart Abbott, 11. Dan Luger, 10. Alex King, 9. Andy Gomarsall, 8. Joe Worsley, 7. Lewis Moody, 6. Martin Corry, 5. Simon Shaw, 4. Danny Grewcock, 3. Julian White, 2. Mark Regan, 1. Jason Leonard (c); Replacements: 16. Dorian West, 17. Will Green, 18. Steve Borthwick, 19. Alex Sanderson, 21. Dave Walder, 22. Ollie Smith; Unused: 20. Austin Healey

26 August

26 August 2003

Biarritz	21–0	Georgia XV

Biarritz

27 August

27 August 2003

Wales	54–8	Romania
Try: S. Williams (2) Phillips Popham Brew Gav. Thomas Con: Henson (6) Pen: Henson (4)		Try: Bălan Pen: Dumbravă

Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
Referee: Andy Turner (South Africa)

Wales: 15. Gavin Henson, 14. Nathan Brew, 13. Matthew Watkins, 12. Andy Marinos, 11. Shane Williams, 10. Nick Robinson, 9. Mike Phillips, 1. Paul James, 2. Mefin Davies (c), 3. Ben Evans, 4. Brent Cockbain, 5. Ian Gough, 6. Jonathan Thomas, 7. Gavin Thomas, 8. Alix Popham; Replacements: 16. Paul Young, 17. Chris Anthony, 18. Deiniol Jones, 19. James Bater, 20. Gareth Wyatt, 21. Jon Bryant, 22. Andy Williams
Romania: 15. Dănuț Dumbravă, 14. Cristian Săuan, 13. Valentin Maftei, 12. Romeo Gontineac (c), 11. Gabriel Brezoianu, 10. Ionuț Tofan, 9. Lucian Sîrbu, 8. Ovidiu Tonița, 7. Costica Mersoiu, 6. George Chiriac, 5. Cristian Petre, 4. Sorin Socol, 3. Marcel Socaciu, 2. Marius Țincu , 1. Petru Bălan ; Replacements: 16. Dan Tudosa, 17. Petrișor Toderașc, 18. Cezar Popescu, 19. Augustin Petrechei, 20. Alex Tudori, 21. Iulian Andrei, 22. Ion Teodorescu

30 August

^[4]^[5]^[6]

30 August 2003

Ireland	61–6	Italy
Try: Hickie (4) Kelly Byrne Dempsey Humphreys Con: Humphreys (6) Pen: Humphreys (3)		Pen: Peens (2)

Thomond Park, Limerick
Attendance: 14,000
Referee: S. Lander (England)

Ireland: 15. Girvan Dempsey, 14. John Kelly, 13. Brian O'Driscoll (c), 12. Rob Henderson, 11. Denis Hickie, 10. David Humphreys, 9. Guy Easterby, 1. Marcus Horan, 2. Shane Byrne, 3. Reggie Corrigan, 4. Gary Longwell, 5. Leo Cullen, 6. Simon Easterby, 7. Eric Miller, 8. Victor Costello; Replacements: 16. Paul Shields, 17. Justin Fitzpatrick, 18. Donncha O'Callaghan, 19. Kieron Dawson, 20. Brian O'Meara, 21. Geordan Murphy, 22. Jonny Bell
Italy: 15. Gert Peens, 14. Nicola Mazzucato, 13. Cristian Stoica, 12. Matteo Barbini, 11. Diego Sacca, 10. Francesco Mazzariol, 9. Alessandro Troncon (c), 8. Sergio Parisse, 7. Mauro Bergamasco, 6. Andrea de Rossi, 5. Mark Giacheri, 4. Cristian Bezzi, 3. Martin Castrogiovanni, 2. Fabio Ongaro, 1. Andrea Lo Cicero; Replacements: 16. Carlo Festuccia, 18. Aaron Persico, 19. Matthew Phillips, 22. Andrea Masi; Unused: 17. Ramiro Martinez-Frugoni, 20. Matteo Mazzantini, 21. Ramiro Pez

30 August 2003

France	17–16	England
Try: Brusque Pen: Michalak (3) Drop: Michalak		Try: Tindall Con: Grayson Pen: Grayson (3)

Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)

France: 15. Nicolas Brusque, 14. Aurélien Rougerie, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 12. Damien Traille, 11. Christophe Dominici, 10. Frédéric Michalak, 9. Fabien Galthié (c), 8. Jean-Jacques Crenca, 7. Yannick Bru, 6. Sylvain Marconnet, 5. Fabien Pelous, 4. Serge Betsen, 3. Jérôme Thion, 2. Olivier Magne, 1. Imanol Harinordoquy; Replacements: 16. Raphaël Ibañez, 17. Olivier Milloud, 18. David Auradou, 19. Sébastien Chabal, 20. Patrick Tabacco, 22. Brian Liebenberg; Unused: 21. Xavier Garbajosa
England: 15. Iain Balshaw, 14. Josh Lewsey, 13. Ollie Smith, 12. Mike Tindall, 11. Ben Cohen, 10. Paul Grayson, 9. Austin Healey, 8. Alex Sanderson, 7. Lewis Moody, 6. Martin Corry, 5. Danny Grewcock, 4. Steve Borthwick, 3. Julian White, 2. Dorian West (c), 1. Graham Rowntree; Replacements: 16. Steve Thompson, 17. Jason Leonard, 18. Simon Shaw, 22. Jamie Noon, 22. Jamie Noon; Unused: 19. Andy Hazell, 21. Dave Walder

30 August 2003

Wales	23–9	Scotland
Try: Owen Pen: Harris (5) Drop: Sweeney		Pen: Laney 3

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Chris White (England)

Wales: 15. Garan Evans, 14. Jamie Robinson, 13. Tom Shanklin, 12. Iestyn Harris, 11. Matthew Watkins, 10. Ceri Sweeney, 9. Dwayne Peel, 1. Duncan Jones, 2. Robin McBryde, 3. Adam R. Jones, 4. Vernon Cooper, 5. Michael Owen, 6. Colin Charvis (c), 7. Richard Parks, 8. Alix Popham; Replacements: 16. Huw Bennett, 18. Gareth Llewellyn, 19. Rhys Oakley, 22. Hal Luscombe; Unused: 17. Ben Evans, 20. Mike Phillips, 21. Nick Robinson
Scotland: 15. Glenn Metcalfe, 14. Rory Kerr, 13. Andy Craig, 12. Brendan Laney, 11. Simon Danielli, 10. Gregor Townsend, 9. Graeme Beveridge, 8. Jon Petrie, 7. Andrew Mower, 6. Martin Leslie, 5. Stuart Grimes, 4. Scott Murray (c), 3. Bruce Douglas, 2. Gordon Bulloch, 1. Gavin Kerr; Replacements: 16. Dougie Hall, 17. Gordon McIlwham, 18. Nathan Hines, 19. Andrew Dall, 22. Chris Paterson; Unused: 20. Mike Blair, 21. Andrew Henderson

6 September

^[7]^[8]

6 September 2003

Italy	31–22	Georgia
Try: Castrogiovanni Checchinato Lo Cicero Troncon Con: Pez Pen: Pez (3)		Try: Urjukashvili Con: Jimsheladze Pen: Jimsheladze (4) Drop: Urjukashvili

Asti
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: D. Ramage (Scotland)

Italy: 15. Gonzalo Canale, 14. Mirco Bergamasco, 13. Cristian Stoica, 12. Nanni Raineri, 11. Nicola Mazzucato, 10. Ramiro Pez, 9. Alessandro Troncon (c), 1. Andrea Lo Cicero, 2. Fabio Ongaro, 3. Martin Castrogiovanni, 4. Santiago Dellapè, 5. Andrea de Rossi, 6. Marco Bortolami, 7. Aaron Persico, 8. Sergio Parisse; Replacements: 16. Carlo Festuccia, 17. Salvatore Perugini, 18. Carlo Checchinato, 19. Mauro Bergamasco, 20. Juan Manuel Queirolo, 22. Gert Peens; Unused: 21. Vincenzo Zullo
Georgia: 15. Bessik Khamashuridze , 14. Malkhaz Urjukashvili, 13. Tedo Zibzibadze, 12. Irakli Giorgadze, 11. Irakli Machkhaneli, 10. Paliko Jimsheladze, 9. Irakli Abuseridze, 8. Ilia Zedginidze (c), 7. Gregoire Yachvili, 6. Giorgi Chkhaidze, 5. Victor Didebulidze, 4. Zurab Mtchedlishvili, 3. Aleko Margvelashvili , 2. Akvsenti Giorgadze, 1. Avto Kopaliani; Replacements: 16. Goderdzi Shvelidze, 17. David Dadunashvili, 18. Vano Nadiradze , 19. Grigol Labadze , 20. Irakli Modebadze, 21. David Kiknadze

6 September 2003

England	45–14	France
Try: Balshaw Cohen (2) Lewsey Robinson Con: Grayson Wilkinson (3) Pen: Wilkinson (4)		Try: Rougerie Pen: Merceron (2) Drop: Jauzion

Twickenham Stadium, London
Attendance: 75,000
Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)

England: 15. Jason Robinson, 14. Iain Balshaw, 13. Will Greenwood, 12. Stuart Abbott, 11. Ben Cohen, 10. Jonny Wilkinson, 9. Kyran Bracken, 1. Trevor Woodman, 2. Steve Thompson, 3. Julian White, 4. Martin Johnson (c), 5. Ben Kay, 6. Richard Hill, 7. Neil Back, 8. Martin Corry; Replacements: 16. Dorian West, 17. Jason Leonard, 18. Simon Shaw, 19. Lewis Moody, 20. Matt Dawson, 21. Paul Grayson, 22. Josh Lewsey
France: 15. Clément Poitrenaud, 14. Xavier Garbajosa, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 12. Brian Liebenberg, 11. Christophe Dominici, 10. Gérald Merceron, 9. Dimitri Yachvili, 8. Christian Labit, 7. Patrick Tabacco, 6. Sébastien Chabal, 5. Olivier Brouzet, 4. David Auradou, 3. Jean-Baptiste Poux, 2. Raphaël Ibañez (c), 1. Olivier Milloud; Replacements: 16. Yannick Bru, 17. Sylvain Marconnet, 18. Fabien Pelous, 19. Imanol Harinordoquy, 20. Olivier Magne, 22. Aurélien Rougerie; Unused: 21. Frédéric Michalak

6 September 2003

Scotland	10–29	Ireland
Try: Webster Con: Paterson Pen: Paterson		Try: Hickie Horgan Maggs Wallace Con: O'Gara (3) Pen: O'Gara

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: N. Whitehouse (Wales)

Scotland: 15. Glenn Metcalfe, 14. Chris Paterson, 13. Andy Craig, 12. Andrew Henderson, 11. Kenny Logan, 10. Gordon Ross, 9. Mike Blair, 8. Allan Jacobsen, 7. Gordon Bulloch (c), 6. Gordon McIlwham, 5. Stuart Grimes, 4. Ross Beattie, 3. Nathan Hines, 2. Andrew Mower, 1. Simon Taylor; Replacements: 16. Robbie Russell, 17. Matthew Proudfoot, 18. Jon Petrie, 19. Iain Fullarton, 21. James McLaren, 22. Simon Webster; Unused: 20. Graeme Beveridge
Ireland: 15. Geordan Murphy, 14. Anthony Horgan, 13. Brian O'Driscoll, 12. Kevin Maggs, 11. Denis Hickie, 10. Ronan O'Gara, 9. Peter Stringer, 8. Victor Costello, 7. Eric Miller, 6. David Wallace, 5. Paul O'Connell, 4. Malcolm O'Kelly, 3. Reggie Corrigan, 2. Keith Wood (c), 1. Marcus Horan; Replacements: 16. Shane Byrne, 17. Simon Best, 18. Simon Easterby, 19. Kieron Dawson, 20. Guy Easterby, 21. David Humphreys, 22. Girvan Dempsey

12 September

12 September 2003

Tucumán	0–72	Argentina XV

San Miguel de Tucumán

16 September

16 September 2003

South Africa XV	45–24	Cheetahs

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

19 September

19 September 2003

Rosario	10–54	Argentina XV

Plaza Jewell, Rosario

21 September

21 September 2003

France President's XV	83–12	French Barbarians

Parc des Sports et de l'Amitié Narbonne

Notes and references

^ "Ireland Overpower Wales". irishrugby.ie. 16 August 2003. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
^ Morrison, Iain (23 August 2003). "Blair puts thin case for life at No9 with Scotland". London: The Guardian.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
^ Butler, Eddie (23 August 2003). "Woodward's second-string outgun wretched Wales". London: The Guardian.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
^ "Four Tries For Hickie as Ireland Overwhelm Italians". irishrugby.ie. 30 August 2003. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
^ Kitson, Robert (1 September 2003). "England call on big guns for revenge shot". London: The Guardian.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
^ Averis, Mike (1 September 2003). "Hansen gets his answer". London: The Guardian.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
^ Butler, Eddie (7 September 2002). "England's sweet revenge". London: The Guardian.com. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
^ "Ireland Comfortable Winners in Murrayfield". irishrugby.ie. 6 September 2003. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2013.