Uruguay at the Rugby World Cup

Uruguay has competed in five Rugby World Cup tournaments: 1999, 2003, 2015, 2019, and 2023.

A huge success for them was qualifying for the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales. They won their pool fixture against Spain, finishing third in their pool.

They qualified for the World Cup again in 2003, and won their pool fixture against Georgia, 24–12.

Uruguay's qualification for the 2007 World Cup started in Americas Round 3a, where they were pooled with Argentina and Chile. After losing their first match 26 points to nil to Argentina, they defeated Chile 43–15 in Montevideo, which saw them enter Round 4, where they faced the USA. Uruguay lost on aggregate, and moved on to the repechage round as Americas 4. They played Portugal over two legs - losing the first in Lisbon and winning the second in Montevideo. Portugal qualified on aggregate points. They again failed to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup final tournament.

Uruguay qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. They did not win any games during the tournament.

Map of countries' best results

Uruguay qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and won their opening game against Fiji 30–27.[1]

Nation  | Number of appearances  | First appearance  | Most recent appearance  | Streak  | Best result

|
|
|
|
|

Uruguay | 5 | 1999 | 2023 | 2 | One win (1999, 2003, 2019, 2023)

## By position

[edit]

Rugby World Cup record |  | Qualification

|
|

Year  | Round  | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad  | Head coach  | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA
1987 | Not invited | Not invited
1991 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1995 | Did not qualify | 2nd  | 3  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 91  | 28
1999 | Pool Stage  | 3  | 1  | 0  | 2  | 42  | 97  | Squad | D. Herrera | 4th  | 9  | 5  | 0  | 4  | 209  | 188
2003 | Pool Stage  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 56  | 255  | Squad | D. Ormaechea | 2nd  | 6  | 3  | 0  | 3  | 115  | 144
2007 | Did not qualify | 2nd  | 6  | 2  | 0  | 4  | 86  | 140
2011 | 1st  | 6  | 2  | 1  | 3  | 178  | 126
2015 | Pool Stage  | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 30  | 226  | Squad | P. Lemoine | 1st  | 9  | 6  | 1  | 2  | 260  | 168
2019 | Pool Stage  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 60  | 140  | Squad | E. Meneses | 1st  | 8  | 8  | 0  | 0  | 318  | 160
2023 | Pool Stage  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 65  | 164  | Squad | 1st  | 4  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 101  | 57
Total  | —  | 19  | 4  | 0  | 15  | 253  | 882  | —  | —  | —  | 51  | 31  | 2  | 18  | 1358  | 1011
|  Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place  | Home venue

|

## 1999 Rugby World Cup (Pool A)

[edit]

Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

South Africa | 3  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 132  | 35  | +97  | 9
Scotland | 3  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 120  | 58  | +62  | 7
Uruguay | 3  | 1  | 0  | 2  | 42  | 97  | −55  | 5
Spain | 3  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 18  | 122  | −104  | 3

Source: [citation needed]

2 October 1999

Uruguay | 27–15|  Spain

|
|

Try: Ormaechea
Cardoso
Menchaca
Con: Aguirre
Sciarra
Pen: Aguirre| | Pen: Kovalenco (5)
Netherdale, Galashiels
Referee: Chris White (England)

* * *

8 October 1999

Scotland | 43–12|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Russell
Armstrong
Metcalfe
Leslie
Simpson
Townsend
Con: Logan (5)
Pen: Logan| | Pen: Aguirre (3)
Sciarra
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

* * *

15 October 1999

South Africa | 39–3|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Van den Bergh (2)
Van der Westhuizen
Kayser
Fleck
Con: De Beer (4)
Pen: De Beer (2)| | Pen: Aguirre
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

* * *

## 2003 Rugby World Cup (Pool C)

[edit]

Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

England | 4  | 4  | 0  | 0  | 255  | 47  | +208  | 3  | 19  | Quarter-finals
South Africa | 4  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 184  | 60  | +124  | 3  | 15
Samoa | 4  | 2  | 0  | 2  | 138  | 117  | +21  | 2  | 10  |
Uruguay | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 56  | 255  | −199  | 0  | 4
Georgia | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 46  | 200  | −154  | 0  | 0

Source: [citation needed]

11 October 2003

South Africa | 72–6|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Van der Westhuizen (3)
Van Niekerk
Botha
Delport
Fourie
Bands
Rossouw
Scholtz
Greef
Con: Koen (5)
Hougaard| | Pen: Aguirre (2)
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 16,906
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

* * *

15 October 2003

Samoa | 60–13|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Fa'asavalu (2)
Lima (2)
Tagicakibau
Fa'atau
Lemalu
Vili
Fe'aunati
Palepoi
Con: Va'a (3)
Vili (2)| | Try: Capó
Lemoine
Pen: Aguirre
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 22,020
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)

* * *

28 October 2003

Georgia | 12–24|  Uruguay

|
|

Pen: Urjukashvili
Kvirikashvili (3)| | Try: Cardoso
Lamelas
Brignoni
Con: Aguirre (2)
Menchaca
Pen: Juan Menchaca
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 28,576
Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)

* * *

2 November 2003

England | 111–13|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Moody
Lewsey (5)
Balshaw (2)
Catt (2)
Gomarsall (2)
Luger
Abbott
Robinson (2)
Greenwood
Con: Grayson (11)
Catt (2)| | Try: Lemoine
Con: Menchaca
Pen: Menchaca (2)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 46,233
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)

## 2007 Rugby World Cup

[edit]

Did not qualify.

## 2011 Rugby World Cup

[edit]

Did not qualify.

## 2015 Rugby World Cup

[edit]

During 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifying, Uruguay won the 2013 South American Rugby Championship "A", getting wins at the Estadio Charrúa against Brazil (58–7) and Chile (23–9). In March 2014, Uruguay faced the United States in a NACRA-CONSUR playoff for the last Americas qualification spot. Uruguay tied the home leg 27–27, but lost the away leg 32–13. Uruguay then moved to the repechage, where it defeated Hong Kong 28–3 at the Estadio Charrúa, to face Russia for the 20th and final spot at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Uruguay qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup by defeating Russia by an aggregate score of 57–49 in the two-game series, winning the second game at home 36–27 in front of 14,000 fans at the Charrua Stadium.[2]

Uruguay played in Pool A.[3] The pool was composed of hosts England, as well as the third- and fourth-placed teams from 2011, Australia and Wales. They were joined by one qualifier, Fiji. The group has been called the "group of death". Uruguay lost all their pool matches without any bonus points.

20 September 2015
14:30

Wales | 54–9|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Lee 15' c
Allen (3) 19' c, 30' c, 40' c
Amos 50' c
Davies (2) 60' m, 80' c
Tipuric 71' c
Con: Priestland (7/8) 16', 19', 30', 40', 51', 72', 80'| Report| Pen: Berchesi (3/4) 2', 9', 24'
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 71,887
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

27 September 2015
12:00

Australia | 65–3|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: McMahon (2) 7' m, 69' m
Tomane 9' c
Mumm 26' m
Speight 31' c
McCalman (2) 36' c, 61' c
Mitchell (2) 47' m, 52' m
To'omua 71' m
Kuridrani 80' c
Con: Cooper (5/11) 10', 32', 36', 62', 80'| Report| Pen: Berchesi (1/1) 24'
Villa Park, Birmingham
Attendance: 39,605
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)

6 October 2015
20:00

Fiji | 47–15|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Penalty try (2) 3' c, 27' c
Kenatale 8' m
Nakarawa 38' c
Cavubati 64' c
Murimurivalu 66' c
Nadolo 79' c
Con: Nadolo (6/7) 3', 28', 39', 65', 66', 80| Report| Try: Arboleya 17' c
Ormaechea 58' m
Con: Ormaechea (1/2) 18'
Pen: Durán (1/1) 15'
Stadium mk, Milton Keynes
Attendance: 30,048
Referee: JP Doyle (England)

10 October 2015
20:00

England | 60–3|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Watson (2) 7' c, 42' m
Easter (3) 18' c, 23' c, 60' m
Slade 54' m
Nowell (3) 57' c, 70' m, 74' m
Penalty try 80' c
Con: Farrell (4/6) 8', 19', 25', 58'
Ford (1/4) 80'| Report| Pen: Berchesi (1/1) 2'
City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
Attendance: 50,778
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  Australia | 4  | 4  | 0  | 0  | 141  | 35  | +106  | 17  | 1  | 17  | Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup
2  |  Wales | 4  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 111  | 62  | +49  | 11  | 1  | 13
3  |  England | 4  | 2  | 0  | 2  | 133  | 75  | +58  | 16  | 3  | 11  | Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup
4  |  Fiji | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 84  | 101  | −17  | 10  | 1  | 5  |
5  |  Uruguay | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 30  | 226  | −196  | 2  | 0  | 0

Source: [citation needed]

## 2019 Rugby World Cup

[edit]

Uruguay qualified by beating Canada over two legs. Uruguay play in Pool D. They are joined by Australia, Wales, Georgia and Fiji. Uruguay won their first match of the pool, which was 30–27 against Fiji.

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  Wales | 4  | 4  | 0  | 0  | 136  | 69  | +67  | 17  | 3  | 19  | Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
2  |  Australia | 4  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 136  | 68  | +68  | 20  | 4  | 16
3  |  Fiji | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 110  | 108  | +2  | 17  | 3  | 7  | Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup
4  |  Georgia | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 65  | 122  | −57  | 9  | 1  | 5  |
5  |  Uruguay | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 60  | 140  | −80  | 6  | 0  | 4

Source: [citation needed]

25 September 2019
14:15 JST (UTC+09)

(2 BP) Fiji | 27–30|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Dolokoto 8' m
Mawi 19' c
Ratuniyarawa 48' m
Matawalu (2) 67' m, 80+1' m
Con: J. Matavesi (1/3) 20'| Report| Try: Arata 14' c
Diana 22' c
Cat 26' c
Con: Berchesi (3/3) 15', 23', 28'
Pen: Berchesi (3/4) 38', 61', 76'
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi
Attendance: 14,025
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)

29 September 2019
14:15 JST (UTC+09)

(1 BP) Georgia | 33–7|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Todua 9' m
Giorgadze 30' c
Chilachava 43' c
Bregvadze 52' c
Kveseladze 58' c
Con: Abzhandadze (4/5) 30', 44', 53', 59'| Report| Try: Vilaseca 33' c
Con: Berchesi (1/1) 34'
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya
Attendance: 24,895
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

5 October 2019
14:15 JST (UTC+09)

(1 BP) Australia | 45–10|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Haylett-Petty (2) 6' c, 68' m
Petaia 24' c
Kuridrani (2) 31' m, 46' c
Genia 53' c
Slipper 61' c
Con: Lealiifano (5/7) 7', 25', 48', 55', 63'| Report| Try: Diana 79' c
Con: Berchesi (1/1) 79'
Pen: Berchesi (1/1) 13'
Oita Stadium, Ōita
Attendance: 33,781
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

13 October 2019
17:15 JST (UTC+09)

(1 BP) Wales | 35–13|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Smith 17' c
Adams 49' c
Penalty try 66'
T. Williams 74' c
G. Davies 80+5' c
Con: Halfpenny (4/4) 18', 50', 75', 80+6'| Report| Try: Kessler 71' c
Con: Berchesi (1/1) 72'
Pen: Berchesi (2/2) 22', 39'
Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto
Attendance: 27,317
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

## 2023 Rugby World Cup

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | B | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  France (H) | 4  | 4  | 0  | 0  | 210  | 32  | +178  | 27  | 5  | 2  | 18  | Advance to knockout stage, and
qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
2  |  New Zealand | 4  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 253  | 47  | +206  | 38  | 4  | 3  | 15
3  |  Italy | 4  | 2  | 0  | 2  | 114  | 181  | −67  | 15  | 25  | 2  | 10  | Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
4  |  Uruguay | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 65  | 164  | −99  | 9  | 21  | 1  | 5  |
5  |  Namibia | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 37  | 255  | −218  | 3  | 37  | 0  | 0

Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: Pool stage tiebreakers
(H) Host

14 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

France | 27–12|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Hastoy 10' c
Mauvaka 55' c
Bielle-Biarrey 74' c
Con: Jaminet (3/3) 11', 56', 75'
Pen: Jaminet (2/3) 3', 14'| Report| Try: Freitas 6' m
Amaya 53' c
Con: Etcheverry (1/2) 54'
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Attendance: 48,821
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)[4]

20 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)

(1 BP) Italy | 38–17|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: Pani 7' c
Lamaro 46' c
Ioane 52' c
L. Cannone 56' c
Brex 61' c
Con: Allan (5/5) 8', 47', 53', 57', 62'
Pen: P. Garbisi (1/1) 70'| Report| Try: Penalty try 27'
Freitas 37' c
Con: Etcheverry (1/1) 38'
Drop: Etcheverry (1/1) 42'
Stade de Nice, Nice
Attendance: 28,627
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)[4]

27 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)

(1 BP) Uruguay | 36–26|  Namibia

|
|

Try: Amaya (2) 19' m, 49' c
Kessler 28' c
Arata 54' c
Basso 66' c
Con: Etcheverry (3/4) 29', 51', 55'
Berchesi (1/1) 67'
Pen: Berchesi (1/1) 74'| Report| Try: Mouton 1' c
Greyling 11' c
Con: Swanepoel (2/2) 2', 12'
Pen: Swanepoel (4/4) 25', 35', 43', 69'
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu
Attendance: 49,342
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)[4]

5 October 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

(1 BP) New Zealand | 73–0|  Uruguay

|
|

Try: McKenzie (2) 20' c, 53' c
Mo'unga 25' c
Jordan (2) 33' c, 65' c
Roigard 38' m
Newell 45' m
Fainga'anuku (3) 49' c, 68' c, 77' c
Williams 73' c
Con: Mo'unga (5/7) 21', 26', 34', 50', 54'
McKenzie (2/2) 66', 69'
B. Barrett (2/2) 74', 78'| Report|
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu
Attendance: 57,672
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[4]

## Overall record

[edit]

Uruguay vs  | Played  | Win  | Draw  | Lost  | Win %

|
|
|
|
|

Australia | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 0%
England | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 0%
Fiji | 2  | 1  | 0  | 1  | 50%
France | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 0%
Georgia | 2  | 1  | 0  | 1  | 50%
Italy | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 0%
Namibia | 1  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 100%
New Zealand | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 0%
Samoa | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 0%
Scotland | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 0%
Spain | 1  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 100%
South Africa | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 0%
Wales | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 0%
Overall  | 19  | 4  | 0  | 15  | 21.05%

## Team records

[edit]

Most points in a tournament

* 65 (2023 in  France)
* 60 (2019 in  Japan)
* 56 (2003 in  Australia)

Most points in a game

* 36 vs  Namibia (2023)
* 30 vs  Fiji (2019)
* 27 vs  Spain (1999)

Biggest winning margin

* 12 vs  Spain (1999)
* 12 Vs  Georgia (2003)
* 10 vs  Namibia (2023)

Highest score against

* 111 vs  England (2003)
* 73 vs  New Zealand (2023)
* 72 vs  South Africa (2003)

Biggest losing margin

* 98 vs  England (2003)
* 73 vs  New Zealand (2023)
* 66 vs  South Africa (2003)

Most tries in a tournament

* 9 (2023 in  France)
* 6 (2019 in  Japan)
* 6 (2003 in  Australia)

Most tries in a game

* 5 vs  Namibia (2023)
* 3 vs  Spain (1999)
* 3 vs  Georgia (2003)
* 3 vs  Fiji (2019)

## Individual records

[edit]

Most appearances

* 12 Agustín Ormaechea ( England 2015,  Japan 2019,  France 2023)
* 12 Andrés Vilaseca ( England 2015,  Japan 2019,  France 2023)
* 11 Felipe Berchesi ( England 2015,  Japan 2019,  France 2023)
* 11 Mateo Sanguinetti ( England 2015,  Japan 2019,  France 2023)
* 10 German Kessler ( England 2015,  Japan 2019,  France 2023)

Most appearances as Captain

* 5 Andrés Vilaseca ( Japan 2019,  France 2023)
* 4 Diego Aguirre ( Australia 2003)
* 4 Santiago Vilaseca ( England 2015)

Most points overall

* 55 Felipe Berchesi ( England 2015, Japan 2019,  France 2023)
* 30 Diego Aguirre ( Wales 1999,  Australia 2003)
* 18 Juan Menchaca ( Wales 1999,  Australia 2003)
* 15 Baltazar Amaya ( France 2023)
* 13 Felipe Etcheverry ( Japan 2019,  France 2023)

Most points in a game

* 15 vs  Fiji \- Felipe Berchesi ( Japan 2019)
* 10 vs  Namibia \- Baltazar Amaya ( France 2023)
* 9 vs  Scotland \- Diego Aguirre ( Wales 1999)
* 9 vs  Wales \- Felipe Berchesi ( England 2015)
* 8 vs  England \- Juan Menchaca ( Australia 2003)
* 8 vs  Wales \- Felipe Berchesi ( Japan 2019)

Most tries overall

* 3 Baltazar Amaya ( France 2023)
* 2 Pablo Lemoine ( Wales 1999,  Australia 2003)
* 2 Alfonso Cardoso ( Wales 1999,  Australia 2003)
* 2 Santiago Arata ( Japan 2019,  France 2023)
* 2 Manuel Diana ( Japan 2019,  France 2023)
* 2 Nicolas Freitas ( Japan 2019,  France 2023)
* 2 German Kessler ( Japan 2019,  France 2023)

Most penalty goals

* 12 Felipe Berchesi ( England 2015, Japan 2019,  France 2023)
* 8 Diego Aguirre ( Wales 1999,  Australia 2003)
* 3 Juan Menchaca ( Wales 1999,  Australia 2003)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Rugby World Cup: Fiji on brink of exit after Uruguay pull off stunning 30-27 win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
2. ^ "Uruguay qualify for Rugby World Cup 2015". IRB.com. 11 October 2014. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014.
3. ^ "World Cup 2015 schedule". BBC Sport. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
4. ^ a b c d "Rugby World Cup 2023 pool stage". World Rugby. Retrieved 11 September 2023.

* Davies, Gerald (2004). The History of the Rugby World Cup. Sanctuary Publishing. ISBN 1860746020.
* Farr-Jones, Nick (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup. Australian Post Corporation. ISBN 0-642-36811-2.

* v
* t
* e

National team appearances in the Rugby World Cup by tier

Tier 1 teams|

* Argentina
* Australia
* England
* France
* Ireland
* Italy
* Japan
* New Zealand
* Scotland
* South Africa
* Wales

Tier 2 teams|

* Canada
* Chile
* Fiji
* Georgia
* Namibia
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* Samoa
* Spain
* Tonga
* United States
* Uruguay

Tier 3 teams|

* Ivory Coast
* Zimbabwe

* v
* t
* e

Rugby union in Uruguay

Governing body|

* URU

National teams|

* Uruguay
* A
* 7's
* U-20
* Uruguay at the World Cup

Other notable teams|

* Sudamérica XV

Competitions|

* Americas Championship
* Campeonato Uruguayo
* PARA Pan American Championship
* Punta Del Este Sevens
* South American Championship
* South American Junior
* UruCup

Related articles|

* 1960 France tour
* 1985 France tour
* Flight 571
* International players list

* Category
* Commons

*[Pld]: Matches played
*[W]: Matches won
*[D]: Matches drawn
*[L]: Matches lost
*[PF]: Match points for
*[PA]: Match points against
*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[PD]: Match points difference
*[Pts]: Total competition points
*[BP]: Bonus points
*[T]: Tries scored
*[B]: Bonus competition points
*[TF]: Tries for
*[TA]: Tries against