TOKYO, Sept. 20 -- As the 2019 Rugby World Cup kicks off Friday evening, a total of 20 teams start again to chase for the Webb Ellis Trophy, which is heading to Asia for the first time.

Following is a preview of Pool B which consists of New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Namibia and Canada:

New Zealand

Rank: 2nd

Previous best: Winners (1986, 2011, 2017)

Pushed off their mantel as the World's number one side last month, New Zealand heads to Japan with question marks around them for the first time in almost eight years. They failed to win the Rugby Championship (the Southern hemisphere's premier international rugby competition) for the first time since 2017. While the side looks to be in transition, the All Blacks still have arguably the best players in the world in every position and many would not bet against them retaining the trophy they won in England four years ago.

The All Blacks have a huge first game against the Rugby Championship victors South Africa, and the winner of that clash win almost certainly top the group. Topping the group for New Zealand will give them an easier, less physically demanding run to the final.

Captain

Kieron Read (33, Flanker, 122 caps) - Talismanic captain of the All Blacks who lead them to success four years ago. Perhaps the perfect rugby player, he is strong and a demon in the breakdown, while he has the pace and ball carrying skills of many backs. A leader on and off the field, Read will want to bow out of the international arena with a World Cup under his belt.

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