26.10.2013 Group C will see the All Blacks face Argentina, Tonga and an additional team from Europe and Africa. Tickets for all matches are available now.
Group C
New Zealand
Reigning Rugby World Champions New Zealand will be among the favourites to lift the trophy once again come 2015 having beaten group opponents Tonga and Argentina on the way to glory in 2011. New Zealand defeated France 8-7 in the final of the 2011 tournament lead by Captain Richie McCaw and the All Blacks’ inspirational leader will take his team into the 2015 World Cup faced with the task of delivering more success. New Zealand are widely recognised as the best Rugby Union side in the world and are currently ranked as number one in the IRB world rankings as they have been for the majority of the past ten years however the All Blacks have often disappointed on the world stage having only won the tournament on two occasions. New Zealand is coached by Steve Hansen and their current squad contains world class players such as Dan Carter and Hooker Keven Mealamu who are likely to dominate their upcoming 2015 opponents.
Argentina
Argentina are very much a team on the rise in international Rugby Union with their finest hour coming back in 2007 when they defeated France in the opening game of the World Cup. Los Pumas then went on to top their group and defeat Scotland in the quarter-finals before eventually bowing out in the semi-finals to South Africa however there was more glory to come as Argentina secured the tournament’s bronze medal by defeating France again. A repeat of the 2007 tournament would certainly be seen as a success in Argentina come 2015 with the team currently ranked 8th in the IRB world rankings. Argentina were invited to play in the annual Rugby Championship in 2012 and thereafter along with South Africa, Australia and 2015 World Cup opponents New Zealand which can only help the long term development of Argentinian Rugby. Argentina are coached by Daniel Hourcade and, despite not being able to call upon the calibre of players New Zealand have at their disposal, still have the likes of captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and experienced Fly-Half Felipe Contepomi.
Tonga
Similarly to Argentina, Tonga is also a team on the rise whose finest World Cup moment came against France. For Tonga this was in the 2011 World Cup when the Tongans defeated France 19-14. Tonga however did not progress past the group stage due to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Canada. TonAga also shares some similarities with Group C opponents New Zealand in the form of a war dance done prior to matches in the hope of intimidating opponents. While New Zealand’s famous dance is known as the Haka, Tonga’s own version is called the Sipi Tau. Tonga have now finished third in their pool at the last two World Cup’s and while a repeat in 2015 will not be seen as a disappointment, Tonga will be hoping that under the guidance of head coach Mana Otai they can progress to the knockout stages of the competition. Currently ranked 11th in the IRB world rankings, Tonga may not possess many household names however Newcastle Falcons’ Centre Suka Hufanga and Gloucester Lock Tukulua Lokotui will be recognised among fans of English domestic Rugby Union.
