Unlike the National Football League (NFL), there is no bulky protective gear or helmet for Rugby players. In terms of time, the American football game lasts 60 minutes, with 4 quarters and 15 minutes for each quarter. Similar to soccer, the rugby game lats 80 minutes. Their rules are also different.
One of the most influential and commercially valuable Rugby events is the Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial tournament held by the Rugby Union and played by the 20 countries with the highest level of Rugby in the world. The tournament is administered by the world rugby union (IRB). It was first held in 1987 and was first co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
Rugby World Cup 2019
- Host: Japan ( 12 stadiums in 12 cities )
- Time: 20th, Sept ~ 2nd, Nov 2019
- Participating teams: 20
- Number of matches: 48
- Schedule: see below
The 2019 Rugby World Cup is the ninth RWC, but it is the first time to be held in Asia and to be held twice in the same hemisphere (England in 2015). Japan, the host, has high expectations for this tournament.
Japan has been developing rugby since 1899. Thirty years ago, the Japanese rugby association offered scholarships to high school students from advanced rugby countries to attract them to stay in Japan to study, play football, marry, have children and make contributions to Japanese rugby. With Japan’s development in rugby, the Japanese team jumped ahead of Hong Kong to become the top Asian team. In the last RWC, it made a miracle victory over the invincible South Africa team.
Most importantly, it is the first time the tournament has been held outside the traditional rugby powers. It plays an important role in promoting rugby in Asia and around the world.
3 Free Live Stream Websites for 2019 RWC
iTV is the rights holder in the UK for 2019 RWC broadcasting. The best thing is that you can watch all the 48 matches in iTV for free if you are in the UK. To watch the 2019 Rugby World Cup, you only need to sign up for iTV and watch a few ads. Since it is an official broadcaster, you have no worry about the live stream quality.
Nippon TV is one of the official broadcasters in Japan for Rugby World Cup 2019. This is also a free option for you to live stream all the 48 matches. We highly recommend you to have a try if you want to watch Rugby World Cup 2019n live stream free from Japan.
If you are in France, you can also live stream 2019 Rugby World Cup for free via TF1. Simply create a TF1 account for free and you are allowed to all the 48 matches of this tournament.
For fans outside the UK, Japan and France, you can also use a VPN service to access these free live stream websites. Since most reputable VPNs need a subscription fee, we recommend you to use the high-quality RitaVPN for free if you don’t mind watching a few ads.
20 Qualifying teams
Since the fourth Rugby World Cup, the tournament has expanded from 16 teams to 20 teams. Below are the 20 teams that participate 2019 Rugby World Cup:
20 Teams | ||
Pool | Team | Region |
A | Ireland | Europe |
A | Scotland | Europe |
A | Japan | Asia |
A | Russian | Europe |
A | Samoa | Oceania |
B | New Zealand | Oceania |
B | South Africa | Africa |
B | Italy | Europe |
B | Namibia | Africa |
B | Canada | Americas North |
C | England | Europe |
C | France | Europe |
C | Argentina | Sudamèrica |
C | United States | Americas North |
C | Tonga | Oceania |
D | Australia | Oceania |
D | Wales | Europe |
D | Georgia | Europe |
D | Fiji | Oceania |
D | Uruguay | Sudamèrica |
2019 RWC Schedule
Date | Match | Kickoff Time | Venue |
20 September | Japan vs. Russia | 19:45 | Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu |
21 September | Australia vs. Fiji | 13:45 | Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu |
21 September | France vs. Argentina | 16:15 | Sapporo Dome, Sapporo |
21 September | New Zealand vs. South Africa | 18:45 | International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama |
22 September | Italy vs. Namibia | 14:15 | Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka |
22 September | Ireland vs. Scotland | 16:15 | International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama |
22 September | England vs. Toga | 19:15 | Sapporo Dome, Sapporo |
23 September | Wales vs. Georgia | 19:15 | City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota |
24 September | Russia vs. Samoa | 19:15 | Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya |
25 September | Fiji vs. Uruguay | 14:15 | Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi |
26 September | Italy vs. Canada | 16:45 | Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka |
26 September | England vs. the United States | 19:45 | Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe |
28 September | Argentina vs. Tonga | 13:45 | Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka |
28 September | Japan vs. Ireland | 16:15 | Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka |
28 September | South Africa vs. Namibia | 18:45 | City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota |
29 September | Georgia vs. Uruguay | 14:15 | Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya |
29 September | Australia vs. Wales | 16:45 | Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu |
30 September | Scotland vs. Samoa | 19:15 | Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe |
02 October | France vs. the United States | 16:45 | Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka |
02 October | New Zealand vs. Canada | 19:15 | Oita Stadium, Oita |
03 October | Georgia vs. Fiji | 14:15 | Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka |
03 October | Ireland vs. Russia | 19:15 | Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe |
04 October | South Africa vs. Italy | 18:45 | Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka |
05 October | Australia vs. Uruguay | 14:15 | Oita Stadium, Oita |
05 October | England vs. Argentina | 17:00 | Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu |
05 October | Japan vs. Samoa | 19:30 | City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota |
06 October | New Zealand vs. Namibia | 13:45 | Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu |
06 October | France vs. Tonga | 16:45 | Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto |
08 October | South Africa vs. Canada | 19:15 | Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe |
09 October | Argentina vs. the United States | 13:45 | Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya |
09 October | Scotland vs. Russia | 16:15 | Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka |
09 October | Wales vs. Fiji | 18:45 | Oita Stadium, Oita |
11 October | Australia vs. Georgia | 19:15 | Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka |
12 October | New Zealand vs. Italy | 13:45 | City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota |
12 October | England vs. France | 17:15 | International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama |
12 October | Ireland vs. Samoa | 19:45 | Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka |
13 October | Namibia vs. Canada | 12:15 | Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi |
13 October | United States vs. Tonga | 14:45 | Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka |
13 October | Wales vs. Uruguay | 17:15 | Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto |
13 October | Japan vs. Scotland | 19:45 | International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama |
19 October | Winner Pool C vs. Runner up Pool D | 16:15 | Oita Stadium, Oita |
19 October | Winner Poll B vs. Runner up Pool A | 19:15 | Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu |
20 October | Winner Pool D vs. Runner up Pool C | 16:15 | Oita Stadium, Oita |
20 October | Winner Pool A vs. Runner up Pool B | 19:15 | Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu |
26 October | Winner Quarter-final 1 vs. Winner Quarter-final 2 | 17:00 | International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama |
27 October | Winner Quarter-final 3 vs. Winner Quarter-final 4 | 18:00 | International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama |
01 November | Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2 | 18:00 | Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu |
02 November | Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2 | 18:00 | International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama |