World Cup favourites start as they mean to go on

The day after hosts Australia got the defence of their World Cup crown off to a winning start, the side favoured by bookies to dethrone them, New Zealand, launched their own campaign against Italy in Melbourne.

Sat, 11 Oct, 2003 - 07:23

The day after hosts Australia got the defence of their World Cup crown off to a winning start, the side favoured by bookies to dethrone them, New Zealand, launched their own campaign against Italy in Melbourne.

The two nations have a long World Cup history, after meeting in the opening game of the inaugural World Cup in 1987.

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CourtsRugbyRWC2019Place: MelbournePlace: HuddersfieldPlace: New ZealandPlace: Telstra DomePerson: John KirwanPerson: ItaliansPerson: Doug HowlettPerson: Joe RokocokoPerson: John MitchellPerson: Brad ThornPerson: Ali WilliamsPerson: Daniel CarterPerson: Aaron MaugerPerson: KirwanPerson: Alessandro TronconPerson: Carlo ChecchinatoPerson: Scott PalmerPerson: Carlos SpencerPerson: Tana UmagaPerson: RokocokoPerson: HowlettPerson: ThornPerson: Keven MealamuPerson: Reuben ThornePerson: SpencerPerson: Nicola MazzucatoEvent: World CupEvent: WorldOrganisation: AustraliaOrganisation: New ZealandOrganisation: ItalyOrganisation: All BlacksOrganisation: CanterburyOrganisation: All Black
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Donal Lenihan
Donal Lenihan

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