2019 Rugby World Cup

World Rugby concluded its third set of tournament review meetings in Tokyo this weekend, as the two-year countdown to the tournament draws closer.
 
Since the last round of meetings in June, the focus of tournament preparation moved from foundation planning to operational readiness, and the World Rugby delegation reiterated to the Japan Rugby 2019 organising committee the importance of this phase in determining the success of the tournament.
 

The visitors trailed 10-3 with 27 minutes remaining at a sold-out Teufaiva Stadium but cut the deficit to two points with a try from Leone Nakarawa before Ben Volavola slotted two penalty goals in the final quarter of an hour to secure a hard fought win.

Flying Fijians coach John McKee said securing the top qualifying berth was their key focus this year.

The agreement takes the New Zealand-born playmaker through until the end of the 2019 rugby World Cup in Japan.

The 28 year old re-joined the Wallabies ahead of the Rugby Championship and started at first-five in last weekend's second Bledisloe Cup test defeat to the All Blacks in Wellington.

"For me, playing at the highest level for the Wallabies against the best teams in the world, week in, week out is the ultimate, and it will always be the pinnacle of our sport," Cooper said.

 Although the exact venue and date for the draw has yet to be determined, it will be held prior to the opening of the June international series.

This gives all teams a year to make their move up the World Rugby rankings, which will be used to place teams into bands for the draw.

Twelve teams have already qualified by virtue of finishing in the top three of their respective pools at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, including Argentina, Australia, England, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.