2003 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches

July 2023 July 2023 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. 2003 Rugby World Cup 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 CAN 27–65 NZL NZ Māori RossStanleyTkachukWitkowski Ross (2) Ross Austin (2)CribbFlavellGearHaami (2)JacksonMaddock (2) Jackson (2)Walker (4) Walker Kingsland, Calgary 6,500 Team details FB 15James PritchardRW 14Sean FauthOC 13Nik WitkowskiIC 12John CannonLW 11Winston StanleyFH 10Bobby RossSH 9 Morgan WilliamsN8 8 Phil MurphyOF 7 Adam van StaverenBF 6 Ryan Banks (c)BF 5 Colin YukesLL 4 Mike JamesTP 3 Garth CookeHK 2 Mark LawsonLP 1 Kevin TkachukReplacements:PR 16Kevin WirachowskiHK 17Pat Dunkley FL 18Jim Douglas N8 19Jeff Reid SH 20Ed Fairhurst CE 21Ryan Smith SH 22Marco di Girolamo Coach:AUS David Clark FB 15Christian CullenRW 14Joe MaddockOC 13Rico GearIC 12Norm BerrymanLW 11Shayne AustinFH 10Willie WalkerSH 9 David GibsonN8 8 Ron CribbOF 7 Troy FlavellBF 6 Germaine AnahaRL 5 Paul Tito (c)LL 4 Kris OrmsbyTP 3 Carl HaymanHK 2 Slade McFarlandLP 1 Joe McDonnellReplacements:CE 16Bryce Robins FH 17Glen Jackson SH 18Brendan Haami FL 19Wayne McEntee LK 20Warren Smith PR 21Deacon Manu Coach: 2 August 2 August 2003 CAN 9–30 NZL NZ Maori Pritchard (3) CullenFlavell (2) McFarlandMaddock Walker Walker York Stadium, Toronto R. Maybank (England) Team details FB 15James PritchardRW 14John CannonOC 13Marco di GirolamoIC 12Matt KingLW 11Winston StanleyFH 10Ryan SmithSH 9 Morgan WilliamsN8 8 Ryan Banks (c)OF 7 Adam van StaverenBF 6 Jim DouglasRL 5 Colin YukesLL 4 Mike JamesTP 3 Garth CookeHK 2 Pat DunkleyLP 1 Kevin TkachukReplacements:HK 16Mark Lawson PR 17Kevin Wirachowski N8 18Phil Murphy SH 19Ed Fairhurst FH 20Bobby RossWG 21Sean FauthCE 22Nik Witkowski Coach:AUS David Clark FB 15Christian CullenRW 14Joe MaddockOC 13Rico GearIC 12Norm BerrymanLW 11Shayne AustinFH 10Willie WalkerSH 9 Brendan HaamiN8 8 Ron CribbOF 7 Troy FlavellBF 6 Wayne McEnteeRL 5 Paul Tito (c)LL 4 Kris OrmsbyTP 3 Carl HaymanHK 2 Slade McFarlandLP 1 Joe McDonnellReplacements:FH 16Glen Jackson FL 17Germaine Anaha LK 18Warren Smith PR 19Deacon Manu HK 20Scott Linklater Coach: 12 August 13 August 2003 North Auckland 17–27 WSM XV Whangārei 15 August 15 August 2003 Narbonne 29–7 ROU XV Parc des Sports, Narbonne 16 August 16 August 2003 IRE 35–12 WAL Lansdowne Road, Dublin Joel Dumè (France) O'Connell 2O'KellyQuinlanWallace Humphreys 4Murphy G. EvansThomas Harris Team details FB 15Geordan MurphyRW 14Tyrone Howe 62OC 13Brian O'DriscollIC 12Kevin MaggsLW 11Anthony HorganFH 10David Humphreys 77SH 9Peter Stringer 77N8 8Anthony Foley 41OF 7Keith GleesonBF 6Alan QuinlanRL 5Paul O'ConnellLL 4Malcolm O'Kelly 68TP 3Simon Best 62HK 2Keith Wood (c) 68LP 1Reggie CorriganReplacements:HK 16Shane Byrne 68PR 17Justin Fitzpatrick 62LK 18Donncha O'Callaghan 68FL 19David Wallace 41SH 20Guy Easterby 77CE 21Gordon D'Arcy 77FB 22Girvan Dempsey 62Coach:Eddie O'Sullivan FB 15Nick RobinsonRW 14Garan EvansOC 13Jamie RobinsonIC 12Iestyn Harris LW 11Gareth Thomas (c)FH 10Ceri SweeneySH 9 Dwayne PeelN8 8 Alix PophamOF 7 Richard ParksBF 6 Rhys OakleyRL 5 Gareth LlewellynLL 4 Michael Owen 66TP 3 Ben Evans 52HK 2 Mefin Davies 67LP 1 Duncan JonesReplacements:HK 16Huw Bennett 67PR 17Gethin Jenkins 52LK 18Vernon Cooper 66FL 19Robin Sowden-TaylorSH 20Andy WilliamsCE 21Andy MarinosWG 22Nathan BrewCoach:NZL Steve Hansen http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/17219.php https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231747/http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/17219.php dead 3 March 2016 Ireland Overpower Wales irishrugby.ie 16 August 2003 27 May 2013 18 August 18 August 2003 Auckland 21–16 WSM XV Auckland 22 August 22 August 2003 FRA 56–8 ROU Stade Félix-Bollaert, Lens Giulio De Santis (Italy) 18,000 BetsenCrenca HarinordoquyJauzionLiebenbergMagneRougerieTraille MerceronMichalak (7) Brezoianu Dumbravă France: 15. Pepito Elhorga, 14. Aurélien Rougerie, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 12. Damien Traille, 11. Christophe Dominici, 10. Frédéric Michalak, 9. Fabien Galthié (c), 1. Jean-Jacques Crenca, 2. Yannick Bru, 3. Sylvain Marconnet, 4. Fabien Pelous, 5. Jérôme Thion, 6. Serge Betsen, 7. Olivier Magne, 8. 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 https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/aug/25/rugbyunion.scotlandrugbyunionteam Blair puts thin case for life at No9 with Scotland The Guardian.com 23 August 2003 27 May 2013 London Iain Morrisonhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/aug/24/rugbyunion.englandrugbyunionteam Woodward's second-string outgun wretched Wales The Guardian.com 23 August 2003 27 May 2013 London Eddie Butler 23 August 2003 SCO 47–15 ITA Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Donal Courtney (Ireland) 25,000 BlairDanielliLaneyMcLarenRossWhite Paterson (2)Ross (2) Ross (3) MazzucatoPalmer Pez Pez 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 WAL 9–43 ENG Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Pablo DeLuca (Argentina) 66,000 S. Jones (3) AbbottLugerMoodyWestWorsley King (2)Walder King (3) King 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 GEO 1990 Georgia XV Biarritz 27 August 27 August 2003 WAL 54–8 ROU Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Andy Turner (South Africa) S. Williams (2)PhillipsPophamBrewGav. Thomas Henson (6) Henson (4) Bălan Dumbravă 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 http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/17208.php https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025405/http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/17208.php dead 4 March 2016 Four Tries For Hickie as Ireland Overwhelm Italians irishrugby.ie 30 August 2003 27 May 2013https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/sep/01/rugbyunion.englandrugbyunionteam England call on big guns for revenge shot The Guardian.com 1 September 2003 27 May 2013 London Robert Kitsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/sep/01/rugbyunion.walesrugbyunionteam Hansen gets his answer The Guardian.com 1 September 2003 27 May 2013 London Mike Averis 30 August 2003 IRE 61–6 ITA Thomond Park, Limerick S. Lander (England) 14,000 Hickie (4)KellyByrneDempseyHumphreys Humphreys (6) Humphreys (3) Peens (2) 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 FRA 17–16 ENG Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Mark Lawrence (South Africa) 60,000 Brusque Michalak (3) Michalak Tindall Grayson Grayson (3) France: 15. Nicolas Brusque, 14. Aurélien Rougerie, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 12. Damien Traille, 11. Christophe Dominici, 10. Frédéric Michalak, 9. Fabien Galthié (c), 1. Jean-Jacques Crenca, 2. Yannick Bru, 3. Sylvain Marconnet, 4. Fabien Pelous, 5. Jérôme Thion, 6. Serge Betsen, 7. Olivier Magne, 8. 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 WAL 23–9 SCO Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Chris White (England) Owen Harris (5) Sweeney Laney (3) 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 https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/sep/07/rugbyunion.rugbyworldcup2003 England's sweet revenge The Guardian.com 7 September 2002 27 May 2013 London Eddie Butlerhttp://www.irishrugby.ie/news/17316.php https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002259/http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/17316.php dead 4 March 2016 Ireland Comfortable Winners in Murrayfield. irishrugby.ie 6 September 2003 27 May 2013 6 September 2003 ITA 31–22 GEO 1990 Asti D. Ramage (Scotland) 6,000 CastrogiovanniChecchinatoLo CiceroTroncon Pez Pez (3) Urjukashvili Jimsheladze Jimsheladze (4) Urjukashvili 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 ENG 45–14 FRA Twickenham Stadium, London Nigel Williams (Wales) 75,000 BalshawCohen (2)LewseyRobinson GraysonWilkinson (3) Wilkinson (4) Rougerie Merceron (2) Jauzion 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 SCO 10–29 IRE Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh N. Whitehouse (Wales) 35,000 Webster Paterson Paterson HickieHorganMaggsWallace O'Gara (3) O'Gara 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 ARG Argentina XV San Miguel de Tucumán 16 September 16 September 2003 RSA South Africa XV 45–24 RSA Cheetahs Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 19 September 19 September 2003 Rosario 10–54 ARG 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 2003 Warm-up tests Category:2003–04 in European rugby union Category:2003 in Oceanian rugby union Category:2003 in South American rugby union Category:2003 in Canadian rugby union Category:2003 in South African rugby union