2007 Rugby World Cup squads
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The 2007 Rugby World Cup was played in France between 7 September and 20 October 2007. Each of the 20 competing nations was required to confirm their 30-man squad by 14 August. United States player Thretton Palamo, aged 18 when the teams were named and 8 days past his 19th birthday when he made his only appearance in the competition, was the youngest to ever take part at a World Cup final stage.[1]
Pool A[edit]
England[edit]
Final squad released on 13 August 2007.[2] Jamie Noon was sent home injured on 15 September; he was replaced by Newcastle Falcons team-mate, Toby Flood.[3] After Josh Lewsey was injured in the semi-final against France, Nick Abendanon was called up as cover.[4]
Head coach: 
Brian Ashton
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
Samoa[edit]
Final squad announced on 29 August 2007.[5]
- Filipo Levi and Donald Kerslake were replaced by Tani Fuga and Alfie Vaeluaga before the tournament[6]
- Sailosi Tagicakibau replaced Anitelia Tuilagi, ahead of the Tonga game.[7]
- Fosi Pala'amo was called in to replace Justin Va'a for the England game.[8]
- Na'ama Leleimalefaga was called into the squad to replace Fosi Pala'amo for the USA game.[9]
Head coach: 
Michael Jones
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
South Africa[edit]
Squad released 21 July 2007[10]
Pierre Spies was withdrawn from the squad after developing a condition believed to be a pulmonary embolism, with Bismarck du Plessis taking his place,[11] although one specialist disputed the diagnosis.[12] A third specialist confirmed the original diagnosis, and Spies remained off the team.[13]
On 10 September, after South Africa's match against Samoa, Jean de Villiers was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a torn left biceps suffered in that match. Wayne Julies replaced him on the squad.[14]
On 1 October, Jannie du Plessis, older brother of Bismarck du Plessis, replaced BJ Botha, who tore knee ligaments in South Africa's last pool match against the United States.[15]
Head coach: 
Jake White
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
Tonga[edit]
Squad announced on 10 August 2007[16] Kisi Pulu replaced Mosese Moala, while Maama Molitika was called up to replace Paino Hehea ahead of the England game.[17]
Head coach: 
Quddus Fielea
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
United States[edit]
Squad released 14 August 2007[18][19] John van der Giessen was called up to replace Luke Gross.[20]
Head coach: Peter Thorburn
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
The following players are in reserve in case of injury.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Crick | Hooker | 27 January 1975 | 3 |  Potomac Athletic Club |
| Mike French | Prop | 19 November 1975 | 8 | OMBAC |
| Brian LeMay | Prop | 26 May 1983 | 0 | Boston |
| Chris Moreno | Prop | 23 April 1978 | 0 | Denver Barbarians |
| John van der Giessen | Lock | 6 May 1982 | 0 | Denver Barbarians |
| Tyson Meek | Scrum-half | 21 April 1980 | 4 | Denver Barbarians |
| Andrew Osborne | Fullback | 4 March 1981 | 1 | OMBAC |
Pool B[edit]
Australia[edit]
Squad announced 23 July 2007.[21] Mark Gerrard was injured in the opening game and replaced by Cameron Shepherd.[22] Morgan Turinui was called up on 1 October 2007 to replace number 8 David Lyons.[23]
Head coach: 
John Connolly
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
The following players are on reserve in case of injuries in the main squad
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodney Blake | Prop | 29 April 1983 | 7 | Queensland Reds |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | Hooker | 26 July 1985 | 3 | Waratahs |
| James Horwill | Lock | 29 May 1985 | 1 | Queensland Reds |
| Alister Campbell | Lock | 17 July 1979 | 4 | Brumbies |
| Matt Cockbain | Flanker | 19 September 1972 | 63 | Melbourne Rebels |
| Jone Tawake | Number 8 | 17 April 1982 | 0 | Brumbies |
| Josh Holmes | Scrum-half | 6 January 1987 | 0 | Brumbies |
| Ryan Cross | Centre | 6 October 1979 | 0 | Western Force |
| Clinton Schifcofske | Wing | 10 November 1975 | 0 | Queensland Reds |
| Sam Norton-Knight | Fullback | 2 December 1983 | 2 | Waratahs |
Canada[edit]
Final squad announced 15 August 2007.[24] Josh Jackson replaced Jamie Cudmore who was ruled out with a broken bone in his hand.[25]
Head coach: 
Ric Suggitt
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
Fiji[edit]
Final squad announced 22 July 2007.[26][27] Filimoni Bolavucu was ruled out of the tournament and was replaced by Sireli Bobo.[28]
Head coach: 
Ilivasi Tabua
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
Japan[edit]
Squad released 11 August 2007.[29] Mitsugu Yamamoto replaced by Yusuke Aoki on 21 August.[30] Daisuke Ohata tore his left Achilles tendon in Japan's final warm-up against Portugal, and was replaced by Tomoki Kitagawa.[31]
Head coach: John Kirwan
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
The following players are on reserve in case of injury.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takahiro Sugiura | Prop | 4 October 1983 | 1 |  Fukuoka |
| Yuta Inose | Prop | 15 March 1982 | 0 | Green Rockets |
| Taku Inokuchi | Hooker | 5 October 1982 | 1 | Brave Lupus |
| Ryota Asano | Flanker | 25 September 1979 | 20 | Green Rockets |
| James Arlidge | Fly-half | 11 August 1979 | 1 | Docomo |
Wales[edit]
Squad announced 10 August 2007[32]
Head coach: 
Gareth Jenkins
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
Pool C[edit]
Italy[edit]
Squad released 16 August 2007.[33] Carlo Del Fava withdrew due to injury on 17 August. Fabio Staibano was originally announced as his replacement, but he was in turn ruled out due to injury. Del Fava was later ruled fit to play, and was restored to the squad on 27 August.[34] Silvio Orlando replaced Robert Barbieri after he was ruled out due to injury in a warm-up game.[35]
Head coach: 
Pierre Berbizier
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
New Zealand[edit]
Squad announced 22 July 2007[39]
Head coach: Graham Henry
Portugal[edit]
Portugal named their final squad for the tournament on 3 September 2007.[40]
Head coach: 
Tomaz Morais
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
Romania[edit]
Squad announced 14 August 2007[42]
Head coach: Daniel Santamans