Cheika predicts ‘three tough groups’ in Cup draw

The two sides are joined by Georgia who qualify courtesy of their third place finish in their pool at the last World Cup. “They have traditionally got through and have had strong representation in previous World Cups”.

They said: “Who’s calling it the group of death?”

Should the Wallabies, as expected, advance from Pool D, they will face the runners-up from Pool D – most likely France or Argentina and possibly England.

Twelve teams were included in yesterday’s draw by virtue of finishing in the top three of their groups in 2015.

The first outside the heartland of the sport, the September 20 to November 2 tournament will be played out in 12 cities and look to establish rugby beyond doubt as a major sport in a country of 127 million people.

“We know South Africa very well”, added Hansen, looking ahead to New Zealand’s first ever group clash with the Springboks, who memorably beat the All Blacks in an emotional 1995 final.

Ireland face Scotland and hosts Japan with Europe 1 and the final play-off victor in Pool A.

Ireland will be favourites to win Pool A as they set about trying to improve a World Cup record that has never seen them progress beyond the quarter-finals.

Schmidt takes his Ireland squad on a summer tour to Japan next month to play two Tests against the 2019 World Cup hosts.

The ninth Rugby World Cup, the first in Asia, will take place from Sept 20 to Nov 2, 2019.

England were pushed out from 4/1 to to win the World Cup following the draw.

“Any one of the top eight teams that you get paired up with are going to be tough”, New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen said.

The latest milestone in the All Blacks’ bid to win the Rugby World Cup has been made in Kyoto, Japan, tonight with the Pool Draw for Rugby World Cup 2019.

Given the stranglehold the New Zealanders have over South Africa, it now seems unlikely that the Boks would win that match.

England have been handed a fearsome World Cup pool draw for the second successive tournament.

Twice champions Australia will be confident of topping their pool having won their last 12 games against the Welsh, even if the Georgians will present a huge physical challenge.

And Italy face the toughest task of all the Championship sides, as they are drawn in a pool with New Zealand and South Africa.

Jones’ men will also play two play-off winners, one from Oceania which will be either Samoa, Tonga or Fiji and another out of the United States or Canada from the Americas zone.