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Jonah's revenge

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2001, Mar del Plata

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For the-first time the eight quarter-finalists from the previous tournament - Fiji, South Africa, Samoa, New Zealand, England, Australia, France and Korea - qualified automatically along with their Argentinian hosts, while the other 15 places were contested at eight qualifying tournaments involving a record 91 nations.

Among the qualifiers were the SAR and four newcomers to the World Cup stage: Kenya, Chile, Russia and Georgia.

Defending champions Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia topped their respective pools and were joined in the Melrose Cup last eight by runners-up Argentina, Canada, England and Samoa.

However, not all enjoyed an easy passage. England lost two of their five games and would have missed out had Spain not lost to Japan after a last-minute try by Daisuke Ohata, while Canada only edged Taiwan on points difference in Pool C.

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Australia looked impressive, as had Fiji with Rupeni Caucaunibuca announcing his arrival on the world stage with seven tries in two games.

New Zealand, meanwhile, suffered a huge blow when inspirational captain Eric Rush broke his leg playing against England.

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