X-Nico

4 unusual facts about 1999 Rugby World Cup


God Defend New Zealand

A public debate emerged after only the first Māori verse was sung at the Rugby World Cup match against England, and it then became common to sing both the Māori and English first verses one after the other.

Jon Robyns

Robyns was also part of Black Mountain Male Voice Choir - the official Choir of the 1999 Rugby World Cup, singing at Wales games and the opening and closing ceremonies at Cardiffs Millennium Stadium.

Portugal national rugby union team

Portugal began play in Pool 3 of Round B in the European qualifying competition for the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Tim Rodber

However, injury dogged his career and he was not selected after the 1999 Rugby World Cup.


Andriy Kovalenco

He played two games at the 1999 Rugby World Cup, scoring 5 penalties, all the entire 15 points score in the 27-15 loss to Uruguay.

Cezar Popescu

His first cap was at a 4 October 1997, in an 83-18 win over Belgium, in Brussels, in a 1999 Rugby World Cup qualifier, aged only 20 years old.

Julia Carling

During the 1999 Rugby World Cup tournament, for an advertising campaign, she temporarily changed her name to Julia Heineken.

Lynn Howells

Howells was assistant coach to the Wales national rugby union team under Graham Henry during the 1999 Rugby World Cup and took over as caretaker head coach for the 2001 Wales tour to Japan whilst Henry was touring as coach of the British and Irish Lions.

Rod Macqueen

He led the Wallabies to victory at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales, where they defeated France in the final, becoming the first nation to ever win the World Cup twice.

Switzerland national rugby union team

Switzerland finished third (out of six nations) in Pool 1 of Round 1 of the European qualification tournaments for the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales, winning and drawing one game out of four fixtures.


see also