Recreation

2007 Rugby World Cup

On September 8 (NZ time) at 7am, the first game of the 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup kicked off at the Stade Francais in Saint Denis, on the outskirts of Paris. The host nation France will play Argentina in the first of 48 games in the tournament.

A historic coin and whistle was used by the referee in the opening match, Tony Spreadbury. The whistle was used in games by the 1905 All Blacks in Great Britain and has been used in every Rugby World Cup opening game since. The coin was also used in early All Blacks games. Both items are on loan from the New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North.

There will be 20 teams contesting the world cup. Eight - New Zealand, Australia, France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England and South Africa, are there as quarter-finalists or hosts from the 2003 World Cup. The other twelve countries came through as regional qualifiers (from Oceania, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas). See our Internet Gateway listing of competing nations.

South Africa emerged triumphant in the tournament, Defeating England in the final. The All Blacks lost to France in the quarter-finals and left the tournament early.

The 2011 World Cup will be played in New Zealand, and the International Rugby Board has announced 20 teams will compete.

Key websites for the World Cup

  • IRB Rugby World Cup 2007
    Official website for the Rugby World Cup. Includes information about all the playing nations, venues, results
  • TV3
    Official Broadcaster of World Cup games. Site has live game broadcasting schedule plus full replay schedule, plus cup news, information, pictures and video clips.
  • New Zealand Herald World Cup site
    Get the Kiwi perspective on all the news, teams and games.
  • Rugby Heaven World Cup
    Another Kiwi perspective.
  • BBC Rugby
    Rugby news from the British perspective. Includes a blog.
  • Rugby Heaven
    Rugby news from the Australian perspective.
  • All Blacks
    Keep up with the boys as they pursue the World Cup. Official All Blacks site.
  • Worldroar
    Telecom site for fans to record their roar which will be played to the All Blacks.
  • International Rugby Board
    The IRB administer rugby competitions and rules across the world.
  • Rugby Union Positions Guide
    Need some guidance on the game of rugby?. This useful site from the BBC explains the different rugby positions and the roles they play in the game.

That rugby ball

A giant rugby ball advertising New Zealand will stand in front of the Eiffel Tower for 3 weeks during the running of the World Cup. The rugby ball is in effect a giant function tent showcasing New Zealand. Managed by Tourism New Zealand and designed by Mike Mizrahi, it holds up to 220 people. The inflatable structure is 25 metres long by 15 metres wide and is 12 metres high. During the day the venue will be open to the public and in the evening will host trade and industry events, exhibitions, big screen viewing, functions and meetings.

2011 World Cup

New Zealand will host the 2011 World Cup in September and October. The World Cup website carries news and team information.

Rugby World Cup History

Statistics
From the Official World Cup Site these statistics give historical player performance stats, team stats and match results.
Historic rugby whistle to sound kickoff at World Cup
Read the full story on the background to the historic referee’s whistle and coin to be used in the opening game of the World Cup.
The 1987 Rugby World Cup
Although international rugby has been played for well over a century, the Rugby World Cup is a relatively recent phenomenon. The first tournament took place in May and June 1987, with games played in both New Zealand and Australia. A short history from NZHistory.net.nz.