The New Zealand team was captained by David Kirk and included such rugby greats as Sean Fitzpatrick, John Kirwan, Grant Fox and Michael Jones.

Seven of the sixteen participating teams were the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) members – New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and France.

Invitations were given to Argentina, Fiji, Italy, Canada, Romania, Tonga, Japan, Zimbabwe and the United States.

Australia England Japan United States Canada Ireland Tonga Wales Argentina Fiji Italy New Zealand France Romania Scotland Zimbabwe The inaugural World Cup was contested by 16 nations.

There was no qualifying tournament to determine the participants; instead, the 16 nations were invited by the International Rugby Football Board to compete.