International rugby union
FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2018 file photo, France's Mathieu Bastareaud, centre, runs between Fijian defenders during the rugby international between France and Fiji at Stade de France in Paris. Bastareaud is one of a host of big names to be missing the first Rugby World Cup in Asia. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena,File)
Aris vs OFI 11/25/2018

Sep. 16, 2019 01:03 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 25, 2018 file photo, New Zealand's Owen Franks holds the Bledisloe Cup as he wears his 100th international appearance cap for playing against Australia in their rugby test match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. All Blacks centurion Franks is one of a host of big names to be missing the first Rugby World Cup in Asia. (AP Photo/David Rowland,File)
Some of rugby's best missing from first World Cup in Asia

By Foster Niumata Sep. 16, 2019 01:01 AM EDT