Website language English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
#RWC2019
20 September - 2 November
WorldRugby
Website language English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
Rugby World Cup 2019 - Symbol Rugby World Cup 2019 - Symbol Rugby World Cup 2019 - Logo
Listen Live
  • RWC 2021
  • Matches
  • Video
  • Teams
  • World Cups
    • World Cups
    • New Zealand 2021
    • France 2023
  • Matches
  • News
  • Teams
  • Pools
  • Video
  • For the Fans
    • For the Fans
    • Experience Rugby World Cup
    • Predictor
    • Bar Finder
    • Greatest XV
    • #RWCEpicMoments
    • Tournament Bracket
    • Fanzones
  • Visit Japan
  • Tickets
  • Trophy Tour
  • Statistics
  • Classic
    • Classic
    • Qualifying
    • Archive
  • Media
  • Info
    • Info
    • Tournament Info
    • App
    • Official Store
    • Broadcasters
    • Match Ball Delivery
    • Impact Beyond
    • Childfund
    • Volunteers
    • Typhoon Hagibis
  • France 2023
Website language English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
WorldRugby
  • Tickets
  • Trophy Tour
  • Statistics
  • Classic
    • Classic
    • Qualifying
    • Archive
  • Media
  • Info
    • Info
    • Tournament Info
    • App
    • Official Store
    • Broadcasters
    • Match Ball Delivery
    • Impact Beyond
    • Childfund
    • Volunteers
    • Typhoon Hagibis
  • France 2023

  • Twitter @rugbyworldcup
  • Facebook @rugbyworldcup
  • YouTube World Rugby
  • Instagram @rugbyworldcup
  • Snapchat rugbyworldcup
RWC 2019 News
Latest News
Japan v Scotland - Rugby World Cup 2019: Group A
Rugby World Cup
Tue 15 June, 2021
Rugby World Cup revisited, Japan v Scotland: 80 minutes that recharged a nation
We caught up with Michael Leitch and Greig Laidlaw to discuss one of the most iconic matches from Rugby World Cup 2019.
Tue 15 June, 2021
The Open Side: Tendai Mtawarira
The Open Side
Thu 3 June, 2021
· 1m
The Open Side: Tendai Mtawarira on how the Springboks embraced diversity to win Rugby World Cup 2019
The Beast is the first guest on The Open Side, a new series of in-depth interviews and stories told by the people who were right at their centre.
Japan v Scotland - Rugby World Cup 2019: Group A
Rugby World Cup Memories
Wed 16 December, 2020
· 8m
10 classic men’s pool matches at Rugby World Cup
Following the Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw, we look back at 10 of the best men’s pool matches from the archives.
England v Australia - Rugby World Cup 2019: Quarter Final
Rugby World Cup
Fri 11 December, 2020
· 4m
Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw: Most and least common fixtures in tournament’s history
Ahead of the official Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw in Paris on Monday, we take a look at the fixtures that have been played more than others — and those that have left fans wanting more.
Latest Videos
Press conference - World Rugby
RWC Future Hosts
Thu 12 May, 2022
Press conference - World Rugby
13:22 mins
Thu 12 May, 2022
A decade of Rugby World Cup hosts - Bill Beaumont
RWC Future Hosts
Thu 12 May, 2022
A decade of Rugby World Cup hosts - Bill Beaumont
USA 2031 and 2033 : United by Rugby
RWC Future Hosts
Thu 12 May, 2022
USA 2031 and 2033 : United by Rugby
England 2025 : Rugby World Cup
RWC Future Hosts
Thu 12 May, 2022
England 2025 : Rugby World Cup
Analysis
Thu 17 October, 2019
· 2 min read

History says Wales have a team for the ages

The World in Union
Presented By
Rugby News Service analysis suggests that Wales may finally have the perfect blend of youth and experience to go all the way.
Share ?
Share
  • label.share.via_facebook_messenger
  • label.share.via_whatsapp
  • label.share.via_facebook
  • label.share.via_twitter
  • label.share.via_copy
    URL Copied

TOKYO, 17 Oct – Having watched their team complete the Six Nations grand slam this year, Wales fans were always quietly optimistic about their side's chances going into Rugby World Cup 2019.

Results during the pool stage - in which Wales beat Australia at a World Cup for the first time since 1987, before going on to top Pool D with four wins out of four - have fuelled hopes that this could be their time to shine on the biggest stage of all.

With a mix of wise old heads such as Alun Wyn Jones, pictured above, Liam Williams, and Jonathan Davies, combined with exciting young talents including Josh Adams, could Wales finally have the right blend of youth and experience to go all the way?

Going by the ages of the winning squads at all previous World Cups from 1987 through to 2015, it appears they might.

The team of analysts at RugbyWorldCup.com have taken the average age of all eight victorious squads and compared them with this year's quarter-finalists. Based on this data, Wales seem to be best placed.

On average, the winning World Cup squad has an age of 27 years and 258 days. With an average age of 27 years and 246 days, it is the Wales crop of 2019 who are closest to this benchmark.   

In 2011, when Wales suffered semi-final agony at the hands of France, aided by a Sam Warburton red card, pictured below, and the ruthless boot of Morgan Parra, the average age of their squad was 26 years and 158 days. That relative lack of experience may have proven costly as, apart from New Zealand in 1987, no country has won the World Cup with a team that young.

This time round it may be the French who end up being hindered by inexperience in Sunday's quarter-final clash. Les Bleus have comfortably the youngest squad of all eight quarter-finalists, with an average age of 26 years and 344 days.

Going into the tournament, it was New Zealand who found themselves facing criticism from their national press for having a team that was perceived to be too old, but with an average age of 28 years and 35 days, the All Blacks squad are not far off the mark.

Incidentally, at the past two World Cups, the All Blacks have won the tournament with slightly older teams – their 2011 squad were 28 years and 127 days on average, and the 2015 squad was 29 years and 43 days.

Having introduced some new stars at RWC 2019 to balance the experience of Beauden Barrett, Sam Whitelock and Sonny Bill Williams, they will feel perfectly poised.

RNS dc/pp/ajr

Share ?
Share
  • label.share.via_facebook_messenger
  • label.share.via_whatsapp
  • label.share.via_facebook
  • label.share.via_twitter
  • label.share.via_copy
    URL Copied
  • Matches
    #RWC2019
    Matches
  • Tickets
    #RWC2019
    Tickets
  • Teams
    #RWC2019
    Teams
  • Video
    #RWC2019
    Video
  • Visit Japan
    #RWC2019
    Visit Japan
  • Shop
    #RWC2019
    Shop
Most read this week More News
1
Rugby fundamentals
Sat 21 September, 2019
Stealing the ball: Three ways to force the turnover
2
Press releases
Wed 15 November, 2017
World Rugby awards RWC 2023 to France
3
team announcement
Mon 30 September, 2019
Three Barrett brothers start for New Zealand
4
Rugby fundamentals
Thu 26 September, 2019
Attacking structure: How pods gain the hard yards
5
Thu 15 November, 2018
Striking new logo and brand identity launched for Rugby World Cup 2023
6
News
Thu 24 October, 2019
Physio proud to be with Boks for the long stretch
7
RWC 2019
Fri 23 August, 2019
Experienced Wallabies squad named for Japan
8
News
Fri 18 October, 2019
What happens if a knockout match ends in a draw?
9
Match preview
Sun 6 October, 2019
New-look All Blacks can claim 31st straight pool win
10
Press releases
Mon 9 March, 2020
RWC 2019 sets new broadcast records and inspires new audiences
More News
Worldwide Partners
Rugby World Cup 2019
Rugby World Cup 2019 - Symbol

MATCHES

TEAMS

POOLS

STATISTICS

JAPAN

TICKETS

CLASSIC

Follow Rugby World Cup on social
  • Rugby World Cup Limited © 2007 - 2022. All Rights Reserved.
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Rugby World Cup