2019 RWC

All Blacks want to set a marker ahead of the World Cup

The Springboks host the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in the last game for both in this year's tournament and have also been drawn together in the same group at the World Cup in Japan, where they will meet in Yokohama on Sept. 21 in the opening Pool B game.

Last month South Africa, who have taken some heavy beatings from the New Zealanders in recent years, upset the odds to win 36-34 at Wellington to breath some intrigue back into their rivalry.

Tonga talk up chances in World Cup 'pool of death'

The Kingdom finished second to Fiji in the combined Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) standings over the past two years.

The Flying Fijians thrashed Manu Samoa 38-16 in Apia on Saturday to win the 2017 title, which qualified Tonga in the Oceania 2 berth into Pool C alongside England, France, Argentina and USA.

Toutai Kefu said it would give his team direction and something to plan towards over the next two years.

"I think in terms of our mindset it suits us to play the harder teams," he said.

Cheika taking nothing for granted

Reigning champions New Zealand have been pitted against South Africa and Italy in Pool B, while England have France and Argentina for company in their five-team group.

The Wallabies, meanwhile, will go up against Wales and Georgia, as well as qualifiers from Oceania and the Americas, in Pool D.

But Cheika would not get carried away with what appears on paper to be a better draw, suggesting any hint of complacency could well prove Australia's downfall in Japan.

"When you're standing out there and singing the anthem, 0-0 all bets off," said Cheika.

Hansen happy to draw Springboks

The All Blacks on Wednesday discovered they will come up against the Springboks, Italy and two qualifiers at the showpiece event in Japan in two years' time.

New Zealand beat South Africa 20-18 at the semi-final stage of the last World Cup in England, before going on to retain the Webb Ellis Cup with a win over Australia.

Hansen is braced for a tough Pool B, but knows his defending champions will have to beat the best teams on the planet if they are to win the tournament for a third time in succession.

All Blacks to play South Africa in RWC pool

South Africa's slump to seventh in the world means the 1995 and 2007 champions will face the All Blacks in the pool stage for the first time in a blockbuster clash.

The All Blacks will have to beat the Springboks to top their pool, as they bid for a hat-trick of titles.

The All Blacks and England, currently the top two teams in the world, would meet in a tantalising semi-final if they both win their pools and got through their quarter-finals.

New Zealand will likely play Scotland, Ireland or Japan in the quarter-finals.