2007 Rugby World Cup squads explained

The 2007 Rugby World Cup was played in France between 7 September and 20 October 2007. Each of the 20 competing nations was required to confirm their 30-man squad by 14 August. United States player Thretton Palamo, aged 18 when the teams were named and 8 days past his 19th birthday when he made his only appearance in the competition, was the youngest to ever take part at a World Cup final stage.[1]

Pool A

England

Final squad released on 13 August 2007.[2] Jamie Noon was sent home injured on 15 September; he was replaced by Newcastle Falcons team-mate, Toby Flood.[3] After Josh Lewsey was injured in the semi-final against France, Nick Abendanon was called up as cover.[4]

Head coach: Brian Ashton

Samoa

Final squad announced on 29 August 2007.[5]

Head coach: Michael Jones

South Africa

Squad released 21 July 2007[10]

Pierre Spies was withdrawn from the squad after developing a condition believed to be a pulmonary embolism, with Bismarck du Plessis taking his place,[11] although one specialist disputed the diagnosis.[12] A third specialist confirmed the original diagnosis, and Spies remained off the team.[13]

On 10 September, after South Africa's match against Samoa, Jean de Villiers was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a torn left biceps suffered in that match. Wayne Julies replaced him on the squad.[14]

On 1 October, Jannie du Plessis, older brother of Bismarck du Plessis, replaced BJ Botha, who tore knee ligaments in South Africa's last pool match against the United States.[15]

Head coach: Jake White

Tonga

Squad announced on 10 August 2007[16] Kisi Pulu replaced Mosese Moala, while Maama Molitika was called up to replace Paino Hehea ahead of the England game.[17]

Head coach: Quddus Fielea

United States

Squad released 14 August 2007[18] [19] John van der Giessen was called up to replace Luke Gross.[20]

Head coach: Peter Thorburn

The following players are in reserve in case of injury.

Pool B

Australia

Squad announced 23 July 2007.[21] Mark Gerrard was injured in the opening game and replaced by Cameron Shepherd.[22] Morgan Turinui was called up on 1 October 2007 to replace number 8 David Lyons.[23]

Head coach: John Connolly

The following players are on reserve in case of injuries in the main squad

Canada

Final squad announced 15 August 2007.[24] Josh Jackson replaced Jamie Cudmore who was ruled out with a broken bone in his hand.[25]

Head coach: Ric Suggitt

Fiji

Final squad announced 22 July 2007.[26] [27] Filimoni Bolavucu was ruled out of the tournament and was replaced by Sireli Bobo.[28]

Head coach: Ilivasi Tabua

Japan

Squad released 11 August 2007.[29] Mitsugu Yamamoto replaced by Yusuke Aoki on 21 August.[30] Daisuke Ohata tore his left Achilles tendon in Japan's final warm-up against Portugal, and was replaced by Tomoki Kitagawa.[31]

Head coach: John Kirwan

The following players are on reserve in case of injury.

Wales

Squad announced 10 August 2007[32]

Head coach: Gareth Jenkins

Pool C

Italy

Squad released 16 August 2007.[33] Carlo Del Fava withdrew due to injury on 17 August. Fabio Staibano was originally announced as his replacement, but he was in turn ruled out due to injury. Del Fava was later ruled fit to play, and was restored to the squad on 27 August.[34] Silvio Orlando replaced Robert Barbieri after he was ruled out due to injury in a warm-up game.[35]

Head coach: Pierre Berbizier

New Zealand

Squad announced 22 July 2007[36]

Head coach: Graham Henry

Portugal

Portugal named their final squad for the tournament on 3 September 2007.[37]

Head coach: Tomaz Morais

Romania

Squad announced 14 August 2007[38]

Head coach: Daniel Santamans

Scotland

Squad announced 14 August 2007.[39] On 11 September, his 24th birthday, Alasdair Dickinson was called up to the Scotland squad to replace the injured Allan Jacobsen.[40]

Head coach: Frank Hadden

Pool D

Argentina

Squad released 28 July 2007 from Planet-Rugby . Additional information from Unión Argentina de Rugby.

Martín Gaitán was forced to withdraw from the squad on 18 August after it was discovered he had a blocked artery in his heart, and was replaced by Hernán Senillosa.[41] José María Núñez Piossek was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury on 30 August, and was replaced by Federico Martín Aramburú.[42] Mario Ledesma was forced to withdraw from the squad for the third-place match against France due to injury on 15 October, and was replaced by Eusebio Guiñazú.[43]

Head coach: Marcelo Loffreda

France

Provisional squad announced 14 June 2007, from Planet-Rugby. Elvis Vermeulen replaced by Thierry Dusautoir due to injury on 21 June Planet-Rugby. Sylvain Marconnet was replaced due to injury by Nicolas Mas on 20 August BBC Sport.

Head coach: Bernard Laporte

The following players are on reserve in case of withdrawals from the squad.

Georgia

Final squad released on 9 August 2007 from Planet-Rugby, other details from Georgian RFU

Head coach: Malkhaz Cheishvili

Ireland

Squad listed from BBC Sport 12 August 2007, further information from Irish Rugby Football Union.

Head coach: Eddie O'Sullivan

Namibia

Squad released 18 July 2007 from Planet-Rugby, additional information from Namibian Rugby and South Africa Rugby.

Head coach: Hakkies Husselman

Notes and References

  1. News: Thretton takes milestone in his stride . RugbyWorldCup.com . 6 September 2007 . 7 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165324/http://en.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid%3D2003478.html . 30 September 2007 . dead .
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927214522/http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.England_Detail/StoryID/17418 RFU
  3. Web site: Reuters Breaking International News & Views . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200904044146/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rugby-world-england-noon/flood-replaces-injured-noon-for-england-idUKL1714667820070917 . 2020-09-04 . live .
  4. Web site: England call up Abendanon for World Cup final . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230605055853/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/2323411/England-call-up-Abendanon-for-World-Cup-final.html . 2023-06-05 . live .
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20100527051851/http://manusamoa.net/playersandstaffRWC.htm Manu Samoa
  6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6974257.stm BBC Sport
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/20100527045428/http://manusamoa.net/pr8.htm Manu Samoa
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20100527045330/http://manusamoa.net/pr10.htm Manu Samoa
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20100527054811/http://manusamoa.net/pr17.htm Manu Samoa
  10. https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083023/http://www.sarugby.co.za/teams.asp?team=5222&Id=1000 SA Rugby
  11. News: Springbok Spies to miss World Cup . . 30 July 2007 . 31 July 2007 .
  12. News: Spies back in Bok picture . Mark . Keohane . Independent Online . 8 August 2007 . 8 August 2007 .
  13. Web site: SA Rugby Statement on Pierre Spies . . 14 August 2007 . 14 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070926215824/http://www.sarugby.co.za/default.asp?des=article&id=225336 . 26 September 2007 . dead .
  14. Web site: De Villiers out of world cup with torn bicep . International Rugby Board . 10 September 2007 . 14 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715212649/http://en.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2006006.html . 15 July 2011 . dead .
  15. Web site: Planes, Trains and Bloem Babies . Jan . de Koning . Planet-Rugby.com . 1 October 2007 . 1 October 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080607172644/http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0%2C18259%2C3551_2772856%2C00.html . 7 June 2008 .
  16. https://web.archive.org/web/20110702232427/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid%3D52765.html Rugby-World-Cup
  17. News: Molitika gets Tongan Cup call-up . BBC Sport . 25 September 2007 . 18 August 2019 .
  18. https://web.archive.org/web/20070809233056/http://www.usarugby.org/default.asp USA Rugby
  19. Web site: Planet-Rugby . 2007-08-14 . 2007-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083306/http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3896_2660430,00.html . dead .
  20. http://www.scrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/71809.html Scrum
  21. Web site: rugby.com.au Wallabies Squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup Announced . 2007-08-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110706111940/http://aru.rugby.com.au/news/wallabies_squad_for_the_2007_rugby_world_cup,62376.html/news/archive/section/21893 . 2011-07-06 . dead .
  22. News: Shepherd earns Wallabies call-up. https://web.archive.org/web/20110807050029/http://www.rugby.com.au/default.aspx?s=news-display&id=2660. dead. 7 August 2011. Australian Rugby Union. 11 September 2007 . 11 September 2007 .
  23. News: Turinui replaces injured Lyons . Rugby World Cup . rugbyworldcup.com . 1 October 2007 . 6 October 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071015000724/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid%3D2015329.html . 15 October 2007 . dead .
  24. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717125640/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid%3D52871.html Rugby-World-Cup
  25. Web site: SIRC . 2010-05-06 . 2011-07-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725154706/http://www.sirc.ca/news_view.cfm?id=17553&search=&show=&month=9&year=2007&search_where= . dead .
  26. Web site: Planet-Rugby . 2007-08-15 . 2007-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929100017/http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3887_2608866,00.html . dead .
  27. https://web.archive.org/web/20011108191146/http://teivovo.com/team_fiji/profile_index.html Teivovo
  28. Web site: Rugby-World-Cup . 2010-04-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120323142656/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2012116,printer.htmx . 2012-03-23 . dead .
  29. http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=183&Itemid=1 Japan Rugby Football Union
  30. Web site: Planet-Rugby . 2007-08-26 . 2007-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120813/http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3890_2675360,00.html . dead .
  31. Web site: Kitagawa replaces Ohata . Rugbyrugby.com . 28 August 2007 . 28 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927173334/http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/by_country/japan/story_28807121000.php . 27 September 2007 . dead .
  32. Web site: Planet-Rugby . 2007-08-15 . 2007-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083214/http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3557_2653297,00.html . dead .
  33. Web site: Fijian named in Italy Rugby World Cup squad . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230521132446/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2318490/Fijian-named-in-Italy-Rugby-World-Cup-squad.html . 2023-05-21 . live .
  34. Web site: Second chance for Del Fava . tvnz.co.nz . 28 August 2007 . 9 May 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110613092356/http://tvnz.co.nz/content/1324579 . 13 June 2011 .
  35. Web site: Italy call up Orlando to replace injured Barbieri . uk.reuters.com . 14 September 2007 . 9 May 2010 .
  36. News: All Blacks reveal World Cup squad . BBC Sport . 22 July 2007 . 18 August 2019 .
  37. News: Debutants Portugal name Cup squad . BBC Sport . 3 September 2007 . 22 September 2007 .
  38. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927173123/http://rugbyrugby.com/tournaments/rugby_world_cup/story_14807213000.php Rugby Rugby
  39. https://web.archive.org/web/20070811113248/http://www.scottishrugby.org/sru/international/scotland/squad.cfm SRU
  40. http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=1450912007 Dickinson called up
  41. Web site: Gaitán out of hospital and World Cup . RugbyRugby.com . 22 August 2007 . 3 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927173043/http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/by_country/argentina/story_22807165000.php . 27 September 2007 . dead .
  42. News: Otro golpe para los Pumas . Spanish . . 30 August 2007 . 31 August 2007 .
  43. Web site: Argentina call up replacement . Rugby News Service . Rugby World Cup . 15 October 2007 . 16 October 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071018023433/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid%3D2019320.html . 18 October 2007 . dead .