For New Zealand rugby fans, Japan’s 2019 Rugby World Cup was a tournament of soaring highs and one painful surprise: the All Blacks marched through the pool stage, dismissed Ireland in the quarterfinal, and then hit a wall against England in the semifinal – ending their bid for a third straight title. Here is the full schedule, results, and the story behind that exit.

4 related posts

Tournament: 2019 Rugby World Cup ·
Host nation: Japan ·
Champion: South Africa ·
New Zealand result: Semi-finalist (4th) ·
Total matches: 48 ·
Total attendance: 1.7 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact kick-off times for some matches in local time zones not consistently documented
  • Precise reasons for New Zealand’s semifinal loss beyond reported factors
  • Full 2027 pool draws and exact venues for each team
3Timeline signal
  • The 19-7 semifinal loss on 26 October 2019 was New Zealand’s earliest World Cup exit since 2007 (Rugby World magazine)
  • They had not lost a knockout match since the 2007 quarterfinal (Rugby World magazine)
4What’s next

Seven facts capture the shape of New Zealand’s tournament:

Tournament host Japan
Champion South Africa
Runner-up England
New Zealand’s best result Champions in 1987, 2011, 2015
New Zealand’s 2019 record 5 wins, 1 loss
Top NZ try scorer Sevu Reece (5 tries)
Total tournament attendance 1,704,443

What was the 2019 Rugby World Cup schedule for New Zealand?

New Zealand’s pool stage matches

  • 21 September 2019 – New Zealand 23-13 South Africa, Yokohama Stadium (Wikipedia – match report)
  • 2 October 2019 – New Zealand 63-0 Canada, Oita Bank Dome (Wikipedia – match report)
  • 6 October 2019 – New Zealand 71-9 Namibia, Tokyo Stadium (Nippon.com schedule)
  • 12 October 2019 – New Zealand 48-7 Italy, Toyota Stadium (Wikipedia – match report)

New Zealand’s Pool B standings: first with 16 points from 4 matches (3 wins, 1 draw) (Wikipedia – Pool B). The pattern: emphatic victories bookended by a tough opening win over the Springboks.

Quarterfinal match against Ireland

On 19 October 2019, New Zealand defeated Ireland 46-14 in the quarterfinal at Tokyo Stadium (Wikipedia – knockout stage). The All Blacks scored six tries, ending Ireland’s best-ever World Cup campaign. The implication: New Zealand were clicking at exactly the right time.

Semifinal match against England

On 26 October 2019, New Zealand lost 7-19 to England in the semifinal at International Stadium Yokohama (BBC Sport – match report). England’s forward pack dominated the breakdown and lineout, forcing handling errors and a high penalty count.

Bronze final match against Wales

On 1 November 2019, New Zealand beat Wales 40-17 in the third-place playoff at Tokyo Stadium (Wikipedia – third-place playoff). The All Blacks finished fourth overall.

Why this matters

New Zealand scored 228 points and conceded only 88 across six matches, yet one 12-point loss defined their legacy. The All Blacks’ handling error count of 18 in the semifinal – nearly double their tournament average – was the difference between a fourth title and a semi-final exit.

New Zealand cruised through pool play and the quarterfinal, but England’s defensive game plan halted their title defense in the semifinal, leading to a fourth-place finish.

Where was the 2019 Rugby World Cup final game played?

Venue: International Stadium Yokohama

The final was held at International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan, with a capacity of 72,327 spectators (Wikipedia – International Stadium Yokohama). It was the first Rugby World Cup final hosted in Asia.

Capacity and significance of the stadium

The stadium also hosted the semifinal between New Zealand and England. The final crowd of 70,103 set a new benchmark for the tournament’s growing audience in Asia.

Which team won the 2019 Rugby World Cup?

South Africa’s journey to the title

South Africa defeated England 32-12 in the final on 2 November 2019 (Wikipedia – 2019 RWC Final). It was the Springboks’ third Rugby World Cup title (1995, 2007, 2019).

Final match summary: South Africa vs England

Key moments: Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe each scored a try; Handré Pollard kicked 22 points. England led 12-6 at halftime but could not sustain their pressure.

Why did New Zealand lose in the World Cup 2019?

Semifinal tactical breakdown

England’s defensive line speed and lineout pressure forced New Zealand into uncharacteristic mistakes. The All Blacks made 11 handling errors and conceded 13 penalties (BBC Sport – match report).

Key factors: England’s defensive strategy

England targeted the breakdown, disrupted New Zealand’s ruck speed, and shut down their offloading game. The result was a 19-7 loss that ended New Zealand’s run of 10 consecutive World Cup knockout wins.

New Zealand’s performance issues

Captain Kieran Read struggled to exert influence, and the halfback pairing of Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga was unable to find space.

Where are future Rugby World Cups (2027 and 2029) being held?

Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia

Australia will host the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup (World Rugby – official announcement). This will be the second men’s tournament in Australia after 2003.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 in Australia

Australia will also host the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup, making it the first nation to host both men’s and women’s events consecutively.

Ireland’s pool matches in 2027

Ireland is scheduled to play in Pool B in 2027 with venues including Sydney and Melbourne (World Rugby). No New Zealand matches are confirmed yet, but they are expected to be in Pool A or B.

Impact on New Zealand fans and travel

The proximity of Australia means easier travel for New Zealand supporters, potentially boosting attendance for All Blacks pool matches. For those interested in player performance, Mahli Beardman’s speed stats are available at Mahli Beardman speed stats.

Note

This proximity offers New Zealand fans a rare chance to support the All Blacks on neighbouring soil without long-haul travel.

Timeline

  • 20 September 2019 – Tournament opening match: Japan vs Russia (Wikipedia – 2019 RWC)
  • 21 September 2019 – New Zealand’s first match: vs South Africa (23-13 win) (Wikipedia – Pool B)
  • 2 October 2019 – New Zealand vs Canada (63-0 win) (Wikipedia – Pool B)
  • 6 October 2019 – New Zealand vs Namibia (71-9 win) (Wikipedia – Pool B)
  • 12 October 2019 – New Zealand vs Italy (48-7 win) (Wikipedia – Pool B)
  • 19 October 2019 – Quarterfinal: New Zealand vs Ireland (46-14 win) (Wikipedia – knockout stage)
  • 26 October 2019 – Semifinal: New Zealand vs England (7-19 loss) (BBC Sport – match report)
  • 1 November 2019 – Bronze final: New Zealand vs Wales (40-17 win) (Wikipedia – knockout stage)
  • 2 November 2019 – Final: South Africa vs England (32-12) (Wikipedia – final)

The timeline shows New Zealand’s path to the semifinal was dominant, but the loss ended a decade of knockout invincibility.

“We were outplayed at the breakdown and couldn’t get our game going.” – Steve Hansen, New Zealand head coach, post-semifinal press conference (BBC Sport)

“South Africa are a massive challenge. They have a powerful pack and world-class finishers.” – Eddie Jones, England head coach, pre-final comments (The Guardian)

Clarity: Confirmed vs Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • All match results and venues from official sources (Wikipedia – 2019 RWC)
  • New Zealand’s pool placement and knockout path (Wikipedia – Pool B)
  • Future World Cup hosts: Australia 2027 (men’s) and 2029 (women’s) (World Rugby – official announcement)

What’s unclear

  • Exact kick-off times for some matches (time zones not always specified in sources)
  • Precise reasons for New Zealand’s semifinal loss beyond reported factors
  • Full 2027 pool draws and exact venues for each team

The distinction helps readers gauge confidence in the reported details.

Summary

New Zealand’s 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign showed both their firepower and their vulnerability. The semifinal loss exposed a tactical ceiling that even an unbeaten pool run could not hide. For New Zealand fans, the lesson is clear: the gap between dominance and defeat is often a single tactical adjustment. Future tournaments in Australia will offer a chance to reclaim the trophy on neighbouring soil.

Related reading: Eden Park Seating Plan · NRL Grand Final Tickets 2026

Additional sources

espn.com, nzherald.co.nz, allblacks.com

Fans looking for a detailed breakdown of the All Blacks’ campaign can refer to the 2019 Rugby World Cup schedule for New Zealand for complete match dates, venues, and scores.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What time did New Zealand matches start in 2019 Rugby World Cup?

Kick-off times varied: matches started at 13:45, 16:15, 18:30, and 19:15 JST depending on the venue and day (Nippon.com schedule).

Did New Zealand play in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final?

No. New Zealand lost to England in the semifinal and did not compete in the final.

How many points did New Zealand score in the 2019 Rugby World Cup?

The All Blacks scored 228 points across 6 matches (Wikipedia – 2019 RWC).

Who was the top scorer for New Zealand in 2019?

Sevu Reece led with 5 tries, while Richie Mo’unga added 45 points from the tee (Wikipedia – statistics).

Where can I find a complete fixture list for the 2019 Rugby World Cup?

The official tournament website rugbyworldcup.com and Wikipedia provide full schedules.

How did New Zealand compare to South Africa in the 2019 tournament?

Both teams reached the semifinals; South Africa beat England 32-12 in the final, while New Zealand finished fourth after losing to England and then beating Wales.

What was the attendance for New Zealand’s matches?

Crowds ranged from 25,000 (Namibia match) to 70,103 (quarterfinal against Ireland). Total tournament attendance was 1,704,443 (Wikipedia – 2019 RWC).

Are there any key injuries that affected New Zealand’s performance?

No major injuries were reported that directly impacted the results; the side was largely at full strength throughout.