Rugby 08 was released prior to the 2007 World Cup in France.

Other new gameplay features include simplified lineouts and defensive formations.

The commentary is provided by Ian Robertson and former All Blacks great Grant Fox.

Other players are featured in specific markets:[1] The game received "mixed or average reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.

[14][15] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PlayStation 2 version a score of one four, two sixes, and one five for a total of 21 out of 40.