Pool A of the 2007 Rugby World Cup began on 8 September and was completed on 30 September. The pool was composed of 2003 World Cup winners England, as well as Samoa, South Africa, Tonga and United States.
Standings
Pool A threw up few surprises, with both South Africa and England qualifying for the quarter-finals, as expected. Third place went to Tonga, who beat the USA and South Pacific neighbours, Samoa, to secure a place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Tonga also gave the eventual champions a close run, losing by less than a try. Both South Africa and England went on to reach the final of the tournament, which South Africa won by 15 points to 6.
Matches All times local (UTC+2)
England vs United States
FB 15Mark CuetoRW 14Josh LewseyOC 13Jamie NoonIC 12Mike Catt LW 11Jason Robinson FH 10Olly BarkleySH 9 Shaun Perry N8 8 Lawrence Dallaglio OF 7 Tom ReesBF 6 Joe Worsley RL 5 Ben KayLL 4 Simon Shaw TP 3 Phil Vickery (c) HK 2 Mark Regan LP 1 Andrew SheridanReplacements:HK 16George Chuter PR 17Matt Stevens LK 18Martin Corry FL 19Lewis Moody SH 20Peter Richards CE 21Andy Farrell CE 22Mathew Tait Coach: Brian Ashton FB 15Chris WylesRW 14Salesi Sika OC 13Paul Emerick IC 12Vahafolau Esikia LW 11Takudzwa NgwenyaFH 10Mike Hercus (c)SH 9 Chad ErskineN8 8 Henry Bloomfield OF 7 Todd CleverBF 6 Louis StanfillRL 5 Mike Mangan LL 4 Alec ParkerTP 3 Chris OsentowskiHK 2 Owen Lentz LP 1 Mike MacDonald Replacements:HK 16Blake Burdette PR 17Matekitonga Moeakiola LK 18Hayden Mexted FL 19Inaki Basauri SH 20Michael PetriFH 21Nese Malifa CE 22Albert TuipulotuCoach: Peter Thorburn Man of the Match: Olly Barkley (England)
Touch judges: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand) Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand) Television match official: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) Fourth official: Bruno Gaudefrin (France) Fifth official: Eric Molier (France)
South Africa vs Samoa
FB 15Percy MontgomeryRW 14JP PietersenOC 13Jaque FourieIC 12Jean de Villiers LW 11Bryan HabanaFH 10Butch James SH 9 Fourie du Preez N8 8 Danie Rossouw BF 7 Juan SmithOF 6 Schalk BurgerRL 5 Victor MatfieldLL 4 Bakkies Botha TP 3 CJ van der Linde HK 2 John Smit (c) LP 1 Os du Randt Replacements:HK 16Bismarck du Plessis PR 17BJ Botha LK 18Johannes Muller FL 19Wikus van Heerden SH 20Ricky Januarie FH 21André Pretorius FB 22François Steyn Coach: Jake White FB 15David LemiRW 14Lome Fa'atau OC 13Gavin WilliamsIC 12Jerry Meafou LW 11Alesana TuilagiFH 10Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu SH 9 Junior PoluN8 8 Henry Tuilagi OF 7 Semo Sititi (c)BF 6 Daniel LeoRL 5 Kane ThompsonLL 4 Joe Tekori TP 3 Census JohnstonHK 2 Mahonri SchwalgerLP 1 Justin Va'a Replacements:HK 16Tani Fuga PR 17Kas Lealamanua PR 18Alfie Vaeluaga FL 19Justin Purdie CE 20Elvis Seveali'i FH 21Loki Crichton WG 22Brian Lima Coach: Michael Jones
Man of the Match: Percy Montgomery (South Africa)
Touch judges: Chris White (England) Lyndon Bray (New Zealand) Television match official: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand) Fourth official: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) Fifth official: Eric Gauzins (France)
United States vs Tonga
FB 15Chris WylesRW 14Salesi SikaOC 13Albert TuipulotuIC 12Vahafolau Esikia LW 11Takudzwa NgwenyaFH 10Mike Hercus (c)SH 9 Chad ErskineN8 8 Henry Bloomfield OF 7 Todd CleverBF 6 Louis StanfillRL 5 Mike ManganLL 4 Alec ParkerTP 3 Chris OsentowskiHK 2 Owen Lentz LP 1 Mike MacDonald Replacements:HK 16Blake Burdette PR 17Matekitonga Moeakiola LK 18Hayden MextedFL 19Inaki Basauri SH 20Michael PetriFH 21Nese MalifaCE 22Philip Eloff Coach: Peter Thorburn FB 15Vunga LiloRW 14Tevita TuʻifuaOC 13Suka HufangaIC 12Epi Taione LW 11Joseph Vaka FH 10Pierre HolaSH 9 Soane Havea N8 8 Finau Maka OF 7 Nili Latu (c) BF 6 Hale T-PoleRL 5 Paino HeheaLL 4 Lisiate FaʻaosoTP 3 Kisi PuluHK 2 Aleki Lutui LP 1 Soane Tongaʻuiha Replacements:HK 16Ephraim Taukafa PR 17Toma Toke FL 18Viliami Vaki N8 19Lotu Filipine FB 20Sione Tuʻipulotu CE 21Isileli Tupou WG 22Aisea Havili Coach: Quddus Fielea Man of the Match: Mike MacDonald (United States)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Christophe Berdos (France) Television match official: Mark Lawrence (South Africa) Fourth official: Paul Honiss (New Zealand) Fifth official: Jean-Christophe Gastou (France)
England vs South Africa
FB 15Jason Robinson RW 14Josh LewseyOC 13Jamie Noon IC 12Andy FarrellLW 11Paul SackeyFH 10Mike CattSH 9 Shaun Perry N8 8 Nick EasterOF 7 Tom Rees BF 6 Martin Corry (c)RL 5 Ben KayLL 4 Simon Shaw TP 3 Matt StevensHK 2 Mark Regan LP 1 Andrew Sheridan Replacements:HK 16George Chuter PR 17Perry Freshwater LK 18Steve Borthwick FL 19Lewis Moody SH 20Andy Gomarsall SH 21Peter Richards CE 22Mathew Tait Coach: Brian Ashton FB 15Percy MontgomeryRW 14JP PietersenOC 13Jaque FourieIC 12François Steyn LW 11Bryan Habana FH 10Butch James SH 9 Fourie du Preez N8 8 Danie RossouwBF 7 Juan Smith OF 6 Wikus van HeerdenRL 5 Victor MatfieldLL 4 Bakkies Botha TP 3 BJ BothaHK 2 John Smit (c) LP 1 Os du Randt Replacements:HK 16Bismarck du Plessis PR 17CJ van der Linde LK 18Johannes Muller N8 19Bobby Skinstad SH 20Ruan Pienaar FH 21André Pretorius CE 22Wynand Olivier Coach: Jake White
Man of the Match: Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand) Carlo Damasco (Italy) Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland) Fourth official: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) Fifth official: Eric Gauzins (France)
Notes Percy Montgomery equalled Joost van der Westhuizen as the most-capped Springbok with his 89th appearance. This was the first scoreless match for England at the World Cup; it was also the first time a past World Champion had failed to score in a World Cup match. It was only the fifth time a side had failed to score in a World Cup match, after Canada, Spain, Namibia and Romania, although Scotland joined this list later in the tournament. This was the first meeting in the pool stage of a Rugby World Cup between two former champions.
Samoa vs Tonga
FB 15Gavin Williams RW 14Sailosi Tagicakibau OC 13Elvis Seveali'iIC 12Seilala MapusuaLW 11Alesana TuilagiFH 10Loki CrichtonSH 9 Steve So'oialo N8 8 Semo Sititi (c)OF 7 Ulia Ulia BF 6 Daniel LeoRL 5 Kane ThompsonLL 4 Joe Tekori TP 3 Census Johnston HK 2 Mahonri Schwalger LP 1 Justin Va'aReplacements:HK 16Tanielu Fuga HK 17Muliufi Salanoa LK 18Leo Lafaiali'i FL 19Justin Purdie SH 20Junior Polu FH 21Lolo Lui WG 22David Lemi Coach: Michael Jones FB 15Vunga LiloRW 14Tevita TuʻifuaOC 13Suka HufangaIC 12Epi Taione LW 11Joseph VakaFH 10Pierre HolaSH 9 Enele Taufa N8 8 Finau Maka OF 7 Nili Latu (c)BF 6 Hale T-Pole RL 5 Paino HeheaLL 4 Inoke Afeaki TP 3 Kisi PuluHK 2 Ephraim Taukafa LP 1 Soane Tongaʻuiha Replacements:HK 16Aleki Lutui PR 17Toma Toke FL 18Viliami Vaki FL 19Emosi KauhengaFB 20Sione Tuʻipulotu CE 21Isileli Tupou FB 22Hudson TongaʻuihaCoach: Quddus Fielea Man of the Match: Finau Maka (Tonga)
Touch judges: Alan Lewis (Ireland) Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand) Television match official: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand) Fourth official: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) Fifth official: Jean-Christophe Gastou (France)
South Africa vs Tonga
FB 15Ruan PienaarRW 14Ashwin Willemse OC 13Wynand OlivierIC 12Wayne Julies LW 11JP PietersenFH 10André Pretorius SH 9 Ricky JanuarieN8 8 Bobby Skinstad (c)BF 7 Danie Rossouw OF 6 Wikus van HeerdenRL 5 Albert van den Berg LL 4 Bakkies BothaTP 3 CJ van der LindeHK 2 Gary Botha LP 1 Gurthro Steenkamp Replacements:HK 16John Smit PR 17BJ Botha LK 18Victor Matfield FL 19Juan Smith WG 20Bryan Habana FH 21François Steyn FB 22Percy Montgomery Coach: Jake White FB 15Vunga LiloRW 14Tevita TuʻifuaOC 13Suka HufangaIC 12Epi Taione LW 11Joseph Vaka FH 10Pierre HolaSH 9 Sione Tuʻipulotu N8 8 Finau MakaOF 7 Nili Latu (c) BF 6 Viliami VakiRL 5 Emosi Kauhenga LL 4 Paino Hehea TP 3 Kisi PuluHK 2 Aleki Lutui LP 1 Soane TongaʻuihaReplacements:HK 16Ephraim Taukafa PR 17Toma TokeLK 18Inoke Afeaki FL 19Lotu Filipine SH 20Soane Havea CE 21Isileli Tupou WG 22Aisea Havili Coach: Quddus Fielea Man of the Match: Finau Maka (Tonga)
Touch judges: Federico Cuesta (Argentina) Paul Marks (Australia) Television match official: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland) Fourth official: Tony Spreadbury (England) Fifth official: Bruno Gaudefrin (France)
Notes Percy Montgomery earns his 90th cap, surpassing Joost van der Westhuizen as the most-capped Springbok.
England vs Samoa
FB 15Josh LewseyRW 14Paul SackeyOC 13Mathew Tait IC 12Olly BarkleyLW 11Mark CuetoFH 10Jonny WilkinsonSH 9 Andy GomarsallN8 8 Nick EasterOF 7 Joe Worsley BF 6 Martin Corry (c)RL 5 Ben KayLL 4 Simon Shaw TP 3 Matt StevensHK 2 George ChuterLP 1 Andrew Sheridan Replacements:HK 16Mark ReganPR 17Perry Freshwater LK 18Steve Borthwick FL 19Lewis Moody SH 20Peter RichardsCE 21Andy FarrellCE 22Dan Hipkiss Coach: Brian Ashton FB 15Loki CrichtonRW 14David LemiOC 13Seilala Mapusua IC 12Brian Lima LW 11Alesana TuilagiFH 10Eliota Fuimaono-SapoluSH 9 Junior Polu N8 8 Henry Tuilagi OF 7 Semo Sititi (c)BF 6 Daniel LeoRL 5 Kane ThompsonLL 4 Joe Tekori TP 3 Census Johnston HK 2 Mahonri SchwalgerLP 1 Kas Lealamanua Replacements:HK 16Tanielu FugaPR 17Fosi Pala'amo FL 18Justin Purdie PR 19Alfie Vaeluaga CE 20Steve So'oialo CE 21Jerry Meafou FH 22Lolo Lui Coach: Michael Jones Man of the Match: Loki Crichton (Samoa)
Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Lyndon Bray (New Zealand) Television match official: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand) Fourth official: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) Fifth official: Eric Gauzins (France)
Samoa vs United States
FB 15Loki CrichtonRW 14Lome Fa'atau OC 13Elvis Seveali'iIC 12Seilala Mapusua LW 11Alesana TuilagiFH 10Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu SH 9 Junior Polu N8 8 Alfie Vaeluaga OF 7 Justin Purdie BF 6 Semo Sititi (c)RL 5 Kane Thompson LL 4 Leo Lafaiali'iTP 3 Census JohnstonHK 2 Mahonri Schwalger LP 1 Kas Lealamanua Replacements:HK 16Silao Vaisola Sefo PR 17Na'ama Leleimalefaga LK 18Joe Tekori FL 19Ulia Ulia SH 20Steve So'oialo WG 21David Lemi FH 22Lolo Lui Coach: Michael Jones FB 15Chris WylesRW 14Takudzwa NgwenyaOC 13Philip EloffIC 12Vahafolau Esikia LW 11Salesi SikaFH 10Mike Hercus (c)SH 9 Chad ErskineN8 8 Fifita Mounga OF 7 Todd Clever BF 6 Louis StanfillRL 5 Hayden MextedLL 4 Alec ParkerTP 3 Chris OsentowskiHK 2 Owen LentzLP 1 Mike MacDonald Replacements:HK 16Blake Burdette PR 17Matekitonga Moeakiola N8 18Henry BloomfieldFL 19Mark Aylor SH 20Michael PetriFH 21Nese MalifaCE 22Albert Tuipulotu Coach: Peter Thorburn Man of the Match: Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (Samoa)
Touch judges: Hugh Watkins (Wales) Mark Lawrence (South Africa) Television match official: Dave Pearson (England) Fourth official: Nigel Owens (Wales) Fifth official: Cyril Lafon (France)
England vs Tonga
FB 15Josh LewseyRW 14Paul Sackey OC 13Mathew TaitIC 12Olly Barkley LW 11Mark Cueto FH 10Jonny WilkinsonSH 9 Andy GomarsallN8 8 Nick EasterOF 7 Lewis MoodyBF 6 Martin Corry (c) RL 5 Ben KayLL 4 Steve BorthwickTP 3 Matt Stevens HK 2 George Chuter LP 1 Andrew SheridanReplacements:HK 16Lee Mears PR 17Phil Vickery N8 18Lawrence Dallaglio FL 19Joe WorsleySH 20Peter Richards CE 21Andy Farrell CE 22Dan Hipkiss Coach: Brian Ashton FB 15Vunga LiloRW 14Tevita TuʻifuaOC 13Suka Hufanga IC 12Epi TaioneLW 11Joseph Vaka FH 10Pierre HolaSH 9 Sione Tuʻipulotu N8 8 Finau MakaOF 7 Nili Latu (c)BF 6 Hale T-PoleRL 5 Lisiate Faʻaoso LL 4 Viliami Vaki TP 3 Kisi PuluHK 2 Aleki Lutui LP 1 Soane Tongaʻuiha Replacements:HK 16Ephraim Taukafa PR 17Taufaʻao Filise FL 18Maama Molitika LK 19Inoke Afeaki SH 20Paino Hehea FB 21Hudson Tongaʻuiha WG 22Aisea Havili Coach: Quddus Fielea Man of the Match: Paul Sackey (England)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Christophe Berdos (France) Television match official: Mark Lawrence (South Africa) Fourth official: Tony Spreadbury (England) Fifth official: Eric Molier (France)
South Africa vs United States