• Christian Lealiifano of Australia in action during the Rugby World Cup match between Australia and Fiji in Sapporo, Japan.The Rugby World Cup is being held in Japan and will run from 20 September to 02 November 2019. EPA
    Christian Lealiifano of Australia in action during the Rugby World Cup match between Australia and Fiji in Sapporo, Japan.The Rugby World Cup is being held in Japan and will run from 20 September to 02 November 2019. EPA
  • South Africa's scrum-half Faf de Klerk (bottom) tackles New Zealand's scrum-half Aaron Smith (R) beside teammate flanker Pieter-Steph Du Toit (L) during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between New Zealand and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. AFP
    South Africa's scrum-half Faf de Klerk (bottom) tackles New Zealand's scrum-half Aaron Smith (R) beside teammate flanker Pieter-Steph Du Toit (L) during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between New Zealand and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. AFP
  • Isi Naisarani of Australia charges upfield during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group D game between Australia and Fiji at Sapporo Dome, Hokkaido, Japan. Getty Images
    Isi Naisarani of Australia charges upfield during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group D game between Australia and Fiji at Sapporo Dome, Hokkaido, Japan. Getty Images
  • Australia's prop Scott Sio carries the ball during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Australia and Fiji at the Sapporo Dome in Sapporo. AFP
    Australia's prop Scott Sio carries the ball during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Australia and Fiji at the Sapporo Dome in Sapporo. AFP
  • South Africa's flanker Pieter-Steph Du Toit dives and scores a try during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between New Zealand and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. AFP
    South Africa's flanker Pieter-Steph Du Toit dives and scores a try during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between New Zealand and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. AFP
  • New Zealand's full back Beauden Barrett (L) attempts to run past South Africa's wing Cheslin Kolbe during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between New Zealand and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. AFP
    New Zealand's full back Beauden Barrett (L) attempts to run past South Africa's wing Cheslin Kolbe during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between New Zealand and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. AFP
  • Damian Penaud (C) of France jumps to catch the ball against Argentina during the Rugby World Cup match between France and Argentina in Tokyo, Japan. France won the match. EPA
    Damian Penaud (C) of France jumps to catch the ball against Argentina during the Rugby World Cup match between France and Argentina in Tokyo, Japan. France won the match. EPA
  • France v Argentina - France's Charles Ollivon celebrates with fans after the match, Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan. REUTERS
    France v Argentina - France's Charles Ollivon celebrates with fans after the match, Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan. REUTERS
  • Australia's supporters react during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Australia and Fiji at the Sapporo Dome in Sapporo. AFP
    Australia's supporters react during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Australia and Fiji at the Sapporo Dome in Sapporo. AFP
  • Peceli Yato of Fiji passes the ball during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group D game between Australia and Fiji at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Getty Images
    Peceli Yato of Fiji passes the ball during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group D game between Australia and Fiji at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Getty Images
  • Rugby World Cup 2019, Australia v Fiji, Australia fans cheer during the match at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan. REUTERS
    Rugby World Cup 2019, Australia v Fiji, Australia fans cheer during the match at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan. REUTERS
  • Argentina supporters pose prior to the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between France and Argentina at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo. AFP
    Argentina supporters pose prior to the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between France and Argentina at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo. AFP
  • Argentina's number 8 Javier Ortega Desio (L) catches the ball in a line out during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between France and Argentina at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo. AFP
    Argentina's number 8 Javier Ortega Desio (L) catches the ball in a line out during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between France and Argentina at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo. AFP
  • Argentina's centre Jeronimo de la Fuente (C) is tackled by France's wing Yoann Huget (L) and France's flanker Wenceslas Lauret during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between France and Argentina at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo. AFP
    Argentina's centre Jeronimo de la Fuente (C) is tackled by France's wing Yoann Huget (L) and France's flanker Wenceslas Lauret during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between France and Argentina at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo. AFP
  • South Africa's flanker Pieter-Steph Du Toit (R) catches the ball past New Zealand's lock Samuel Whitelock in a line out during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between New Zealand and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. AFP
    South Africa's flanker Pieter-Steph Du Toit (R) catches the ball past New Zealand's lock Samuel Whitelock in a line out during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between New Zealand and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. AFP
  • South Africa's Makazole Mapimpi (back) tackles New Zealand's fly-half Richie Mo'unga during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool B match at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. AFP
    South Africa's Makazole Mapimpi (back) tackles New Zealand's fly-half Richie Mo'unga during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool B match at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. AFP
  • New Zealand players perform the Haka prior to the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group B game between New Zealand and South Africa at International Stadium Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Getty Images
    New Zealand players perform the Haka prior to the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group B game between New Zealand and South Africa at International Stadium Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Getty Images
  • A French supporter cheers his team during the Rugby World Cup match between France and Argentina in Tokyo, Japan. France won the match. EPA
    A French supporter cheers his team during the Rugby World Cup match between France and Argentina in Tokyo, Japan. France won the match. EPA

Rugby World Cup 2019: Wins for All Blacks, Wallabies and Les Bleus - in pictures


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

Day 2 of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan saw Australia, France and New Zealand open their accounts with wins over Fiji, Argentina and South Africa respectively.

Australia hooker Tolu Latu scored two tries in five minutes as Australia came from nine points down in the second half to beat Fiji 39-21 and escape a huge upset at in their opening Pool D match at the Sapporo Dome.

France produced some exhilarating rugby before almost losing the plot and having to survive a last-gasp penalty to pip Argentina 23-21 in their Rugby World Cup 2019 opener.

Fly-half Romain Ntamack paced a schizophrenic French performance with 10 points as the three-time finalists hung on to win a pulsating Pool C clash in Tokyo and leave the Pumas staring into the abyss in the tournament's so-called "group of death".

Four minutes of first-half brilliance led an otherwise unconvincing New Zealand to a 23-13 victory over South Africa in a clash between two Rugby World Cup favourites that never quite lived up to its billing.

Having wrestled the Rugby Championship from their rivals last month, South Africa pinned a scrappy New Zealand back for 20 minutes but, with only three points to show for it, the Springboks were left stunned by two scintillating team tries from wing George Bridge and lock Scott Barrett.

At the top of the page is a selection of the best images from Saturday's Rugby World Cup matches.

To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.