Squads named to contest the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand

The 2011 Rugby World Cup will be contested by Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Namibia, New Zealand, Romania, Russia, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Tonga, USA and Wales.

Argentina Rugby World Cup 2011 Squad:

Forwards: Patricio Albacete, Marcos Iván Ayerza, Maximiliano Bustos, Alejandro Campos, Manuel Carizza, Agustin Creevy, Julio Farias Cabello, Juan Figallo, Mariano Galarza, Alvaro Galindo, Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe, Mario Ledesma, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Rodrigo Roncero, Martín Scelzo, Leonardo Vicente Senatore, Tomas Vallejos.

Backs: Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Gonzalo Camacho, Felipe Contepomi …

The Australian Wallabies have triumphed in the 2011 Tri-Nations tournament. In the end the difference was an away win against the Springboks, with both New Zealand and Australia winning their home games.

In a winner-take-all test in Brisbane and Saturday, the Wallabies showed more passion, guile and composure than the All Blacks. This led to a stunning 20-3 halftime lead. However, the All Blacks came back with an equally stunning seventeen points to draw the scores equal with 15 minutes to play. In the end it was some Will Genia magic that saw him wrong foot a couple of front …

Piri Weepu has wrestled the starting number nine jersey off Jimmy Cowan while Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina continue their tandem record breaking appearances in tests, lining up for their 98th test for the All Blacks.

The All Blacks side has a much stronger look than the one that lost to the Springboks last week. It’s a full-strength front row with Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock. In the loose, Adam Thomson gets a chance while Jerome Kaino is on baby-duty back in New Zealand. Thomson is joined by premier numbers seven and eight Richie McCaw and Kieran Read. …

James Horwill will captain the Wallabies for the first time following last week’s Wallaby World Cup squad announcement. Rocky Elsom, who lost the captaincy has retained his place at number six.

James O’Connor has been dropped from the team as well as receiving a five figure fine as punishment for missing the Wallaby Squad announcement. Adam Ashley-Cooper takes his place on the wing and comes into the midfield. Quade Cooper is likely to take over O’Connor’s kicking duties.

As the last hit out before the World Cup, Robbie Deans has taken the opportunity to give returning veterans Radike Samo and …

The All Blacks have named their team to face the Springboks at Port Elizabeth for their second 2011 Tri-Nations test

As expected from the squad that travelled to South Africa, the All Blacks have made whole sale changes to the team that defeated the Wallabies in Auckland. There are only four survivors from that starting team.

In his 85th test Keven Mealamu will captain the team for the second time from hooker. Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui partner in the midfield for the first time.

Although the All Blacks have one more test against Australia before the World Cup, …