New Zealand and South Africa have been drawn together in Pool B for the 2019 Rugby World Cup to be held in Japan.
The defending champions will also take on Italy, Africa 1 and the Repechage winner when the tournament gets underway in two years’ time, as they aim for a third straight title.
2015 runners-up Australia have been drawn in Pool D with Wales, who they faced in the 2015 pool stages, along with Georgia, Oceania 1 and Americas 2.
Current Six Nations champions England face another tricky pool, although having this time been drawn as one of the Band 1 sides, as they will take on France and Argentina, along with Americas 1 and Oceania 2.
And finally hosts Japan will face a double Celtic threat in Ireland and Scotland, with the rest of Pool A made up of the Europe 1 and Play-off winner qualifiers.
And in what was a major boost for the event, the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, was guest of honour at the draw, which took place in the historic city of Kyoto on Wednesday.
Demonstrating how important Rugby World Cup 2019 is to the government and people of Japan, Prime Minister Abe gave his full support to the tournament and led a stellar group of dignitaries who drew the teams into their pools for rugby’s showpiece event.
Speaking at the beautiful Kyoto State Guest House where the draw took place, Prime Minister Abe declared that his nation was ready to welcome the world: “Rugby World Cup 2019, the first time this great sporting event is to be held in Asia, will be the perfect chance for us to showcase the sport’s appeal to the rest of Asia, home to over half the world’s population.
“I promise that Japan will provide the very best for the players and that an enthusiasm befitting the name of the Rugby World Cup pervades the entire nation. Amid all the thrills and excitement expected, we intend to make the tournament one that will live on in the memories of people around the world. The Japanese people will be united in welcoming you all with our greatest spirit of hospitality.
“Among the host cities will be Kamaishi and Kumamoto, both hit in recent years by disastrous earthquakes. I have confidence that the children in these stricken areas will gain inspiration from the games that will contribute greatly to their emotional growth as well as to further reconstruction of these areas.”
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont added: “The scene is now set for what we fully expect to be a fantastic Rugby World Cup here in Japan. The draw has handed us some potentially great match-ups that will no doubt deliver the sort of excitement and passion that we have come to expect from this tournament over the years.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for attending this important milestone for the tournament and for once again pledging his support and commitment to making Rugby World Cup 2019 a special occasion for the people of Japan and, indeed, throughout the continent of Asia.”
Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Europe 1, Play-off winner
Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Africa 1, Repechage winner
Pool C: England, France, Argentina, Americas 1, Oceania 2
Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Oceania 1, Americas 2
Photo credit: World Rugby
The post All Blacks and Springboks in Pool B for RWC 2019 appeared first on Planet Rugby.