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2011 Rugby World Cup
Host nation	New Zealand
No. of nations	20
Preceded by	2007 Rugby World Cup
Succeeded by	2015 Rugby World Cup

The 2011 Rugby World Cup will be the seventh staging of the tournament. At a meeting of the International Rugby Board (IRB) held in Dublin on 17 November 2005, New Zealand was selected as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa. There were two rounds of voting by the IRB Council to decide the host nation, with South Africa eliminated in the first round. Image File history File links Soccerball_current_event. ... Sport from childhood. ... Womens Australian rules football is a team sport. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... The 2007 Rugby World Cup is the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. ... The 2015 Rugby World Cup will be the 8th edition of the tournament. ... For the rugby league competition, see Rugby League World Cup. ... The IRB logo. ... For other uses, see Dublin (disambiguation). ... 17 November is also the name of a Marxist group in Greece, coinciding with the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The event is expected to cost about NZ$310.0 million to run and will generate NZ$280 million in ticket sales.^[1] It will be the largest sporting event ever held in New Zealand, eclipsing the 1987 Rugby World Cup, 1990 Commonwealth Games, 2003 America's Cup and 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.^{[citation needed]} Around 70,000 visitors from overseas are expected to travel to New Zealand for the associated games and events.^[2] The first Rugby World Cup took place in New Zealand and Australia in 1987, and was won by New Zealand. ... The 1990 Commonwealth Games were held in Auckland, New Zealand from January 24-February 3, 1990. ... This article is about the yachting competition. ... The 2005 Lions tour logo In 2005 the British and Irish Lions Rugby union team toured New Zealand for the first time since 1993, suffering a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the New Zealand All Blacks. ...

The final will be played in Auckland on Sunday October 23, 2011, at Eden Park. The date was chosen so it falls on the long weekend caused by the New Zealand public holiday of Labour Day (Monday October 24, 2011). ^[3] For other uses, see Auckland (disambiguation). ... is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2011 (MMXI) will be a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Eden Park is the main sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand for both rugby union during winter, and cricket in summer. ... Long weekend is a term used in Western countries to denote a weekend that is at least three days long (a three-day weekend), due to a holiday falling on either the Friday or Monday. ... Labour Day Parade in Toronto in the early 1900s A Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from efforts of the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. ... is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2011 (MMXI) will be a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

After months of speculation that the number of participating teams would be reduced to 16, the IRB announced on Friday 30th November 2007 that the 2011 tournament would again feature 20 teams. 12 teams have already qualified as a result of finishing in the top 3 in each pool in the 2007 tournament, leaving 8 qualifying berths up for grabs.

Qualified Teams

Main article: 2011 Rugby World Cup qualifying

The following teams have already qualified for the 2011 World Cup by finishing in the top 3 of their group in the 2007 Rugby World Cup: For the 2011 Rugby World Cup there are 16 places available in the finals tournament, held in New Zealand. ... The 2007 Rugby World Cup is the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. ...

•  Argentina
•  Australia
•  England
•  Fiji
•  France
•  Ireland
•  Italy
•  New Zealand
•  Scotland
•  South Africa
•  Tonga
•  Wales

Image File history File links Flag_of_Argentina. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... First international (also the worlds first)  Scotland 4–1 England  (27 March 1871) Largest win  England 134–0 Romania  (17 November 2001) Worst defeat  Australia 76–0 England  (6 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 2003 The England national rugby union team represents... Image File history File links Flag_of_Fiji. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Scotland. ... First international (also the worlds first)  Scotland 4 - 1 England  (27 March 1871) Largest win  Scotland 100 - 8 Japan  (13 November 2004) Worst defeat  Scotland 10 - 68 South Africa  (6 December 1997) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Semi-finals, 1991 The Scotland national rugby union... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Tonga. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... First international  England 30 – 0 Wales  (19 February 1881) Largest win  Japan 0 – 98 Wales  (26 November 2004) Worst defeat  South Africa 96 – 13 Wales  (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 6/6 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international...

Stadium

The NZRU has yet to confirm the location of any matches, but has said that it is likely that an upgraded Eden Park and AMI Stadium will host the knockout matches, with pool matches likely to be played at the other test venues. Auckland's Eden Park (or North Harbour Stadium as a reserve option) will host the final. ^[4] Eden Park is the main sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand for both rugby union during winter, and cricket in summer. ... AMI Stadium, formerly Jade Stadium and Lancaster Park, is a sports stadium situated in Christchurch, New Zealand. ... North Harbour Stadium is a stadium situated in Albany on Aucklands North Shore in New Zealand. ...

Stadiums almost certain to receive games:

* capacity due to be increased. In the case of Carisbrook, a new Dunedin stadium has been proposed which - if built - should be ready for use prior to the 2011 cup. For other uses, see Auckland (disambiguation). ... Eden Park is the main sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand for both rugby union during winter, and cricket in summer. ... This article is about the city in New Zealand. ... AMI Stadium, formerly Jade Stadium and Lancaster Park, is a sports stadium situated in Christchurch, New Zealand. ... For the first Duke of Wellington, see Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. ... External shot of the main entrance to Westpac Stadium, emphasising the Cake Tin aspect. ... Dunedin (Ōtepoti in Maori) is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the region of Otago. ... For the village on the Isle of Wight, see Carisbrooke. ... Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. ... Hamilton (Kirikiriroa in Māori) is the centre of New Zealands fourth largest urban area, and is the countrys seventh largest city. ... Waikato Stadium, NZ Māori v Lions, 2005 Waikato Stadium is a major rugby union and soccer venue in Hamilton, New Zealand with a total capacity, seated and standing, of 26,350. ...

Possible venues to receive games:

Many of the other smaller stadiums, like Blenheim's Landsdowne Park and Nelson's Trafalgar Park, are undergoing major revamps. The Rotorua Museum today. ... Rotorua International Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Rotorua, New Zealand. ... For other uses, see Auckland (disambiguation). ... North Harbour Stadium is a stadium situated in Albany on Aucklands North Shore in New Zealand. ... Manukau City (orange). ... Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. ... The 45 metre high Wind Wand on the New Plymouth waterfront New Plymouth is the port and main city in the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. ... The stadium is situated in the central suburb of Westown in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. ... Tauranga (population 109,100 — 2006 census) is the largest city of the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. ... BlueChip Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Tauranga, New Zealand. ... Cnr of Esk and Dee Streets, looking up Esk st, one of the main shopping streets of Invercargill. ... Rugby Park Stadium is a rugby union venue and home ground for Air New Zealand Cup team Southland. ... The T & G Building (Atkin & Mitchell, Wellington, 1936) Napier (Ahuriri in Māori) is an important port city in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. ... McLean Park is a cricket ground in Napier, New Zealand. ... Palmerston North (Māori: ) is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. ... Arena Manawatu is the current name of the 18-hectare publicly-owned recreational complex just west of the Palmerston North city centre in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of New Zealand. ...

Auckland Options

On November 10, 2006, the New Zealand Government announced plans for Stadium New Zealand for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The proposal was to build the new stadium seating 70,000 on the Auckland waterfront. After much public outcry, and lack of support from the Auckland Regional Council, the proposal was dropped in favour of the redevelopment of Eden Park. Various issues still surround the redevelopment of Eden Park as local and national authorities fail to find a funding solution to cover the cost of the upgrade. is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Concept plan for the proposed Stadium New Zealand for the 2011 RWC. Stadium New Zealand was the provisional name for the national stadium proposed for Aucklands waterfront to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup. ... Auckland is one of the 15 regions of New Zealand, named after Auckland City, the large city at its heart. ... Eden Park is the main sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand for both rugby union during winter, and cricket in summer. ...

Bids

New Zealand co-hosted the first Rugby World Cup with Australia in 1987. However, its lack of accommodation and sporting stadiums were speculated as impediments to future chances. Originally set to co-host the 2003 tournament with Australia, New Zealand lost the privilege due to a disagreement over ground signage rights. Prior to the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand, critics doubted that New Zealand had the infrastructure to host an event of this size. The New Zealand bid contained plans to enlarge the size of Eden Park to help increase the commercial viability of the bid. The first Rugby World Cup took place in New Zealand and Australia in 1987, and was won by New Zealand. ... The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth rugby union world cup. ... The 2005 Lions tour logo In 2005 the British and Irish Lions Rugby union team toured New Zealand for the first time since 1993, suffering a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the New Zealand All Blacks. ... Eden Park is the main sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand for both rugby union during winter, and cricket in summer. ...

Of the three candidates, Japan was widely expected to win hosting rights. It was believed to be the desire of the IRB to move the tournament from the traditional rugby nations such as New Zealand and South Africa. If it were to have been held in Japan it would be the first time a Rugby World Cup had taken place in Asia. With stadiums from the 2002 FIFA World Cup, it had the necessary infrastructure already in place. The Japanese bid also had the support of World Cup winning players (Martin Johnson, Nick Farr-Jones, Toutai Kefu, Matt Cockbain, and John Kirwan) and coaches (Eddie Jones, Rob Andrew). The IRB logo. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... 2002 World Cup redirects here. ... Martin Osborne Johnson CBE (born March 9, 1970) is a former England rugby union player and captain. ... Nick Farr-Jones is a former rugby union player from Australia. ... Toutai Kefu (born April 8, 1974 in Tonga) is a rugby player who won 60 caps playing at Number eight for the Australian rugby union side (the Wallabies). ... Matt Cockbain (born 19 September 1972) is an Australian rugby union footballer. ... John James Kirwan (born 16 December 1964) is a New Zealand born rugby union footballer turned coach. ... Eddie Jones (born January 30, 1960 in Burnie, Tasmania of a Japanese mother and an Australian father) is a rugby union coach and former player. ... Christopher Robert Andrew (born 18 February 1963) nicknamed Squeaky, is a former rugby union footballer and currently the Director of Rugby of Newcastle Falcons. ...

However, the Japan Rugby Football Union had never hosted a major rugby tournament before. The biggest factor in preventing Japan winning the bid was believed to be its leaving important bid details until its final presentation in Dublin. Many delegates had been instructed who to vote for prior to the final bid presentations. Rugby union was first introduced to Japanese students at Keio University in Japan by Professor Edward Bramwell Clarke who was born in Yokohama and Tanaka Ginnosuke, both graduates of Cambridge University, in 1899. ...

The South African bid, led by former national captain Francois Pienaar, had strong support from their government. It successfully hosted the tournament in 1995. There was belief throughout the rugby union community that the organisation of the Rugby World Cup would be overshadowed by the organisation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Jacobus Francois Pienaar (born 2 January 1967 in Vereeniging, South Africa) captained and played flanker for the South African national rugby union team, the Springboks from 26 June 1993 until 10 August 1996. ... The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, an international tournament for football, that is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa. ...

After an IRB inspection of each applicant host nation during June and July 2005, the winning bid of New Zealand was announced during the IRB Council meeting in Dublin on November 17, 2005. 2005 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → Deaths in June June 27: Shelby Foote June 27: John T. Walton June 26: Richard Whiteley June 25: John Fiedler June 25: Chet Helms June 24: Paul Winchell June 21: Jaime Cardinal Sin June 20: Jack Kilby... Ongoing events • 2005 Atlantic and Pacific hurricanes • 2005 Maharashtra floods • 2005 Gujarat Flood • Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan • Fuel prices • Gomery Comm. ... For other uses, see Dublin (disambiguation). ... 17 November is also the name of a Marxist group in Greece, coinciding with the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Pools

For the first time in the history of the World Cup, seeding of teams for the 2011 World Cup will be based on their respective IRB World Rankings. [1] The draw, to be conducted in December 2008, will use the World Rankings as of 1 December 2008, after the Northern Hemisphere autumn internationals.^[5] Previously it was thought that the top four at the 2007 Rugby World Cup (South Africa, England, Argentina, and France) were to have been allocated top pool spots, but "the rankings are now very well established and provide us with a credible and succinct way of seeding teams for the rugby World Cup pool draw," according to Rugby World Cup Ltd (RWCL) chairman Syd Millar [2]. A single-elimination tournament, also called a knockout or sudden death tournament, is a type of tournament where the loser of each match is immediately eliminated from winning the championship or first prize in the event. ... The IRB logo. ... The IRB World Rankings is a ranking system for mens national teams in rugby union. ... is the 335th day of the year (336th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (common) era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... The Autumn internationals are a series of rugby union matches contested each November, usually all within the Northern Hemisphere, specifically in those nations that contest the Six Nations Championship. ... The 2007 Rugby World Cup is the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. ... First international (also the worlds first)  Scotland 4–1 England  (27 March 1871) Largest win  England 134–0 Romania  (17 November 2001) Worst defeat  Australia 76–0 England  (6 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 2003 The England national rugby union team represents...

References

• "NZ to host 2011 World Cup", NZPA, 18 November 2005. 
• "Big plans following big decision", NZPA, 18 November 2005. 
• "Up to 11 stadiums will host matches", The Dominion Post, 19 November 2005. 
• "Christchurch aims to host world cup semifinal", The Press, 19 November 2005. 
• "An anatomy of the World Cup vote", New Zealand Herald, 20 November 2005. 
• "World Cup voting system uncovered", NZPA, 25 November 2005. 
• "IRB: Japan left its run too late", Dominion Post, 26 November 2005. 
• "Argentina spills the beans on 2011", PlanetRugby.com, 10 January 2006. 
• "World Cup dates unknown", Sportal.com.au, 5 March 2006. 
• "Govt: We want waterfront, tell us your views", NZPA, 10 November 2006. 

1. ^ "World Cup 2011 tickets won't come cheap", nzherald.com, 2007-08-24. 
2. ^ City hits the heights to house visitors - New Zealand Herald, Tuesday 30 November 2007, Page A7
3. ^ "Final date for RWC 2011 revealed", allblacks.com, 2007-07-24. Retrieved on 2007-07-25. 
4. ^ "It's Eden Park, Government says", New Zealand Herald, 2006-11-27. Retrieved on 2007-07-25. 
5. ^ International Rugby Board (2008-02-22). "IRB World Rankings usef for RWC 2011 draw". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.

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External links

• Official home page of the Japan bid
• Official home page of the South Africa bid
• NZRFU's announcement of their bid for RWC2011