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3 unusual facts about 2007 Rugby World Cup


Gilbert Synergie

The Gilbert Synergie was the official match ball of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, replacing the Gilbert Xact used in Australia during the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

India national rugby union team

In 2005, they started their attempt to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but a 22-36 loss to Kazakhstan sent them out of the running for that tournament.

India has never played in the Rugby World Cup but they have attempted twice in 2005 and 2008 to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup and 2011 Rugby World Cups respectively.


Daniela Scalia

Correspondent at the 2007 World Cup, and often travelling for the edgy and colourful “Si Rugby” she presented and wrote with Luca Tramontin, Gianluca Veneziano and rugby record-man Stefano Bettarello, magazine which often involved also Australian Football, Rugby League and other less known codes, she soon became a familiar face to the oval Italian community.

Diego Zarzosa

In 2007, Zarzosa signed a six-week contract with English giants Harlequins after Samoan Tani Fuga was called to the World Cup squad and Chris Brooker suffered a shoulder injury.

G.D. Estoril Praia

The stadium has also played host to games involving the Portuguese national rugby union team, most recently being against the Ukraine in a 2006 European Nations Cup First Division match and against Uruguay in a 2007 Rugby World Cup repechage qualification match.

Jamie Cudmore

Cudmore made his debut for Canada in 2002 against the United States and has appeared in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups.

John van der Giessen

Initially named as the reserve for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Van der Giessen joined the team in France for its last two matches, following the injury of veteran USA lock Luke Gross, but VDG did not see any playing time.

Kosuke Endo

In the 2007 Rugby World Cup he notably finished a spectacular break out try from their own 5 metre line against Wales at the Millennium Stadium which was praised as one of the outstanding tries of the tournament one of Japan's best of all time.

Leonardo Ghiraldini

Ghiraldini was called up to the Italian squad for the 2007 Six Nations Championship and the 2007 Rugby World Cup, he made his World Cup debut against Portugal.

Luke McAlister

Following the announcement of his inclusion in the All Blacks squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, it was announced on 23 July 2007 that McAlister would be joining Guinness Premiership side Sale Sharks after the World Cup on a two-year deal.

Mark Regan

Consequently he was named in the England squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Switzerland national rugby union team

In attempting to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, Switzerland finished fourth in Pool D of Round 2 of the European qualification process.

Thretton Palamo

Aged only 18, he was called into the United States squad to participate at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Wayne Barnes

Barnes was one of three English referees to officiate at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the others being Chris White and Tony Spreadbury.


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