Christchurch could lose 2011 Rugby world cup

Christchurch must accept the possibility that damage from this week's devastating earthquake could prevent it hosting Rugby World Cup matches, a senior government minister said.
The only venue in Christchurch capable of hosting matches during the tournament, AMI Stadium, was damaged in last Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude tremor and much of the surrounding city was reduced to rubble.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, whose parliamentary constituency is in Christchurch, on Saturday said he did not want his rugby-mad hometown to miss out on the World Cup but the prospect could not be avoided.
"To lose the Rugby World Cup from Christchurch would be a massive blow," he told TVNZ. "I don't want to see it happen but we've got to be realistic about the prospect."
Brownlee said it was too early to make a decision on Christchurch's participation in the tournament while the city was still dealing with a disaster that has killed least 123 people.
He pointed out the city had recovered well from another major earthquake last September which also caused extensive damage but amazingly resulted in no fatalities.
"Let's not rush too far ahead of things. This place recovered amazingly well after the September 4 earthquake," he said.
The tournament will be the largest event ever staged in New Zealand, and would face major logistical problems if the disaster meant no matches could be staged in the country's second biggest city.
AMI Stadium's operators expect to know by mid-March whether the venue, which is only two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the badly hit downtown area, can be repaired in time for the September-October rugby showcase.
They say it suffered minor structural damage in Tuesday's quake and the playing field was affected by "liquefaction" -- when the force of tremor's shaking turns the ground into a quagmire.

Quake's affect on Rugby World Cup?

Rugby World Cup officials say it's too early to judge what effect an earthquake in Christchurch that killed at least 65 people will have on this year's tournament.
The magnitude 6.3 quake struck at lunchtime Tuesday, causing havoc in the South Island city that is to be one of the World Cup's key venues.
No reports have been received of damage to the city's main stadium, but hotels have been damaged and city infrastructure shattered. The city center is in ruins and roads have been destroyed.
Canterbury Rugby Union chief executive Hamish Riach told Television New Zealand that "Right now it doesn't feel like we could host very much at all."
But Riach said it was too early to be sure because "everyone is in the immediacy of this traumatic event."
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has described Christchurch as a "scene of utter devastation" and warned that the death toll could rise on what he fears may well be "New Zealand's darkest day." Apart from the dead, officials say at least 100 more people are missing.
Tournament spokesman Mike Jaspers said organizers had contingency plans but could not say when or if they would be implemented. The event runs from Sept. 9 to Oct. 23.
"At this moment it is too early to talk about any implications for the tournament," Jaspers said. "Right now all that has got to take a back seat while Christchurch deals with the aftermath of this tragedy. ... Any assessment must wait while rescue and recovery efforts take priority."
The International Rugby Board said Tuesday its "thoughts and deepest sympathies" were with the people of Christchurch. It added it would be "inappropriate" to comment on the status of infrastructure or operation, and the "focus at this point must be on the emergency response."

Sir Brian Lochore's warm Wairarapa welcome

Rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Brian Lochore believes that the Wairarapa provides the ideal environment for teams to prepare for RWC 2011...

The Masterton farmer famously brought the All Blacks over the Rimutakas in the lead-up to their final pool game in 1987, and billeted the players with families in the small Wairarapa hamlet of Pirinoa.

Lochore explains his historical decision: “It was something that we conjured up three or four days before and wasn’t planned. I felt we needed to get away from the big cities and just do something a little bit different.”

It’s with this philosophy that Lochore is welcoming the Georgian national team to the region. The team will spend a week in the Wairarapa, despite there being no fixtures in the province. “It is an honour for the people of Wairarapa, particularly the Rugby folk and it is just as important for all of our residents to be able to host a national team. I know that Georgia are not way up at the top end, but they are still here, still representing their country and certainly wanting to do well.”

Lochore believes the Wairarapa is unique. “It offers relaxation, beauty, a true New Zealand environment. A typical New Zealand farming country scene, with some beautiful little towns with plenty of accommodation and it’s so close to Wellington, which is only an hour away. Being close to a city centre in a totally different environment is important.”

The assistant coach of the Georgian team, Ilia Maisuradze, recently met up with Lochore when he visited the Wairarapa. “We talked about the uniqueness of the Wairarapa, the range of outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting and the vineyards. I suggested to him that we are very happy to get 20 local families to host a couple of Georgian team players for an evening for a typical Kiwi meal.”

Lochore hopes that Georgia not only enjoys the experience of RWC 2011, but also the experience of the Wairarapa. “It’s about playing and enjoyment at the very highest level, it’s about being on the other side of the world. The Wairarapa is totally different to anything you are going to find anywhere else in New Zealand and in fact anywhere else in the world for that matter. We are a Rugby crazy country, even underdogs like Georgia are going to be a focal point of our region while they are here. This will be something the team has never ever experienced anywhere else in the world."

Fans find out Monday about Finals Ballots

The third phase of Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) ticketing opens on Monday when Rugby fans from around the world will find out if they have been successful in the ballots for tickets to the semi-finals and the Final.

“I know many fans will be nervously awaiting the results of the ballots as these tickets have been highly sought after,” said Martin Snedden, CEO of Tournament Organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011.

The ballots were open to those fans who applied for tickets during the first two phases of RWC 2011 ticketing and who elected to enter into the ballots. Applicants received one entry into each ballot they elected to enter into for each ticket they applied for. Applicants who used a MasterCard® between April 27 and November 21 2010, received double entries. 

There are 15,000 match tickets available in each of the three ballots. Because each offer will consist of an opportunity to purchase two tickets, a total of approximately 7,500 offers will be issued for each match. Applications were received from just over 60,000 fans.

“These tickets are scarce so for those who are successful this is a great opportunity to be ringside at the crunch matches of New Zealand’s biggest ever sports event.”

The road to Rugby World Cup 2011

There will be a new nation competing alongside the game’s traditional heavyweights for the Webb Ellis Cup in New Zealand after Russia successfully qualified for a Rugby World Cup for the first time in their short history as a distinct union.

The Rugby Union of Russia was only established in 1992 following the break-up of the old Soviet Union and just 18 years later, the Bears were celebrating booking a place at RWC 2011 after an historic 21-21 draw with Romania in Sochi on 27 February 2010.

The draw meant Russia were guaranteed a top two finish in the European Nations Cup and one of the region’s two qualification places at RWC 2011. However, it would be another three weeks before they knew they would enter Pool C with Australia, Ireland, Italy and USA, their first opponents at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth on 15 September 2011.

“To qualify for the Rugby World Cup is absolutely enormous for us,” said Howard Thomas, the RUR’s Chief Executive. “To get across the line in the European Nations Cup I would say is the hardest route to qualify for Tier Two countries. We have a very competitive league with the likes of Georgia, Romania and Portugal and I’m proud of the players and everyone involved.

“Having said that we know we have to step up enormously. We look at the last World Cup and see how well Georgia did, and obviously Portugal and Romania had their moments and also Namibia. In all the games you play you want to make it a competitive game of rugby. We want to make sure that our defence is up for it, physically we’re up for it and fitness-wise we’re up for it.”

Wing Alexander Gvozdovskiy was the hero for Russia with two tries against Romania. Yury Kushnarev converted one of them and also landed three penalties in the 21-21 stalemate that ensured the qualification.

Realisation dawns for Russia

“For me this is probably the top of my dreams, to play for my country, my national team and to qualify for the World Cup," admitted wing Vasily Artemyev after the team had earned qualification. “It was a very tough emotional task for the players to play a match at such a high level of expectation as we did against Romania, and to be honest after the final whistle went I felt a bit emptied out.

“Then a couple of days after that the achievement that we’d made started to sink in. It’s only now that we’ve started really talking about it as a team that we understand fully what we have achieved with that result.”

From Europe, the Russians were joined by Georgia in qualifying for the finals on the same weekend after they beat Spain 17-9 at the National Stadium in Tbilisi. It was the Lelos’ seventh victory in their previous eight European Nations Cup matches and guaranteed them a third consecutive World Cup appearance.

“Though I am not Georgian, I understand perfectly well how the Georgians must feel now and share with them the excitement any local rugby supporter must experience now that the national team has won its third World Cup ticket in a row and that the word ‘Georgia’ will resound on the international stage once again,” said former Wallaby centre Tim Lane, who has seen been replaced by Richie Dixon as Georgia coach.

“It was our goal to bring Georgia to the Rugby World Cup again and I am really happy that this goal has been achieved. Now our goal as a team is to make a worthy appearance at the finals.”

The final day meeting between Georgia and Russia would not only decide the ENC champion, but also who qualified as Europe 1 and 2 for RWC 2011. Georgia claimed the title after triumphing 36-8 and, in the process, booked their place in Pool B at RWC 2011 with Argentina, England, Scotland and the Play-off Winner.

Fans find out Monday about Finals Ballots

The third phase of Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) ticketing opens on Monday when Rugby fans from around the world will find out if they have been successful in the ballots for tickets to the semi-finals and the Final.

“I know many fans will be nervously awaiting the results of the ballots as these tickets have been highly sought after,” said Martin Snedden, CEO of Tournament Organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011.

The ballots were open to those fans who applied for tickets during the first two phases of RWC 2011 ticketing and who elected to enter into the ballots. Applicants received one entry into each ballot they elected to enter into for each ticket they applied for. Applicants who used a MasterCard® between April 27 and November 21 2010, received double entries. 

There are 15,000 match tickets available in each of the three ballots. Because each offer will consist of an opportunity to purchase two tickets, a total of approximately 7,500 offers will be issued for each match. Applications were received from just over 60,000 fans.

“These tickets are scarce so for those who are successful this is a great opportunity to be ringside at the crunch matches of New Zealand’s biggest ever sports event.”

RWC 2011 Observer Programme launched

Rugby World Cup 2011 organisers are inviting members of the global sports family to apply to participate in the tournament’s official Observer Programme.

The innovative programme, hosted by tournament owners Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL), organising body Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Limited and the New Zealand Government, will be run over the semi-final weekend of October 15-17, 2011.

The programme is designed to provide a unique insight into the bidding, delivery, hosting and legacy of one of the world’s largest sports events. Participants will gain an invaluable insight into all the tournament’s functional areas from Rugby Services, Broadcast and Media Operations to Finance, Venues and City Operations.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The RWC 2007 Observer Programme was a major highlight of the learning experience, bringing together members of the Rugby and wider sporting family to share experience, transfer knowledge, build relationships and get a better understanding of how one of the world’s premier sports events operates.”

“This year we are expanding the programme to involve all major stakeholders. We are delighted to be partnering with the New Zealand Government in the delivery of the programme to provide a fascinating insight into the role that Governments play in the delivery of major events including Regional showcasing, festival development, economic impact, financial support and engaging a nation.”

RNZ 2011 General Manager Tournament Services, Nigel Cass said: “I can’t speak highly enough of how the RWC 2007 Observer Programme allowed us to learn first hand about some of the key issues we would be grappling with. What it allowed us to do was see behind the scenes as the final stages of the Tournament actually happened and hear valuable insights from the French Organising Committee as they planned and delivered the event.”

An integral element of the Rugby World Cup knowledge transfer process, the RWC 2011 Observer Programme also provides the opportunity for future Host Unions to live, learn and experience Rugby World Cup operations. Key participants will be representatives from England Rugby 2015 and the Japan Rugby Football Union, the hosts of RWC 2015 and RWC 2019 respectively.

Lapasset added: “For future Hosts, attending Rugby World Cup 2011 represents a valuable opportunity to learn and experience the event live. During the Observer Programme each future Host can not only witness how things are done, but also study specific areas, so that they can learn and improve upon these within their own organisational and cultural context.”

Brian Roche confirmed as RNZ 2011 Chairman

Brian Roche, who is the current Acting Chairman of Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Ltd, the organisation responsible for the delivery of Rugby World Cup 2011, has been confirmed as the organisation’s Chairman.

Due to ill health, former Chairman Jock Hobbs resigned from the Board in December 2010.

The appointment has been confirmed by the two shareholders, the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).

Mr Roche, who is also CEO of New Zealand Post, was appointed Acting Chairman of RNZ 2011 in May last year following Jock Hobbs’ initial health concerns.

Jock Hobbs continues to receive treatment and media are asked to respect his and the Hobbs family’s privacy at this time.

Wellington Fanzone given symbolic opening

Wellington welcomed the opening of the “Wharewaka o Poneke”, the site for one of the city’s Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) Fanzones with a symbolic dawn ceremony on Waitangi Day.

A showcase for Maori culture and the base for the Rugby World Cup 2011 village

The Wharewaka is an important new addition to Wellington's waterfront and reflects the city's commitment to local Maori. It was specifically designed to house the Wellington City waka (canoe), Te Raukura.

Construction of the Wharewaka began in January last year and Mayor Celia Wade-Brown is delighted to see it finished.

"Wellington should be very proud of this building. It's a building you couldn't see anywhere else in the world.”

The Wharewaka has exhibition and function areas, a cafe, commercial kitchen and office space. It will host pōwhiri (welcome ceremonies) and cultural performances, and feature carvings and interactive history displays.

The Wharewaka will also be the centrepiece of Wellington's RWC 2011 Fanzone, creating a fan village around the building which will host a programme of activities to provide a unique cultural experience for visitors and locals during RWC 2011.

Said Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011) CEO Martin Snedden: “The opening of the Wharewaka is another important milestone in Wellington’s preparations for RWC 2011. It will provide a really special backdrop for locals and visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of the Tournament.”

The Wharewaka's exterior design is based on the form of a korowai (cloak), which has in recent times come to reflect mana and prestige. The design is based on the traditional sails of the waka fleet and metal panels symbolise the cloak's arms draping over the sides of the building.

Biarritz give backing to Barcella

Biarritz have urged prop Fabien Barcella not to give up on a place at the World Cup, after he said he had lost hope of earning a recall in 2011.

Barcella sustained a serious Achilles tendon injury in August last year and has yet to return to action, with the World Cup starting in September.

"Announcing today that he won't be able to compete is curious as nothing suggests that this is the case and in the end, only the France coach... will take a decision this summer," said Biarritz in a statement sent to AFP.

The Basque club added: "Although it's true that the player suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury in 2010, he is today on the road to recovery and should finish the season with BOPB."

Biarritz have a Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse to come in the near future and are also in contention for a Top 14 semi-final berth.

In an interview on the website of radio station RMC Sport, Barcella said he did not have enough time to force his way into Marc Lievremont's thinking.

"It's a very frustrating injury and some players have taken a year and a half to come back from it," said Barcella, who has 12 France caps.

"I've never had any illusions. I need to get back for my club, and then for France, but there's a huge gap between the two. International rugby is very demanding."

Bok coaches told to focus only on world cup

The Springbok management group have been told to shelve their part-time jobs in order to focus on the Springboks world cup campaign.
The executive council of the SA Rugby Union were concerned about the amount of freelancing work the management team did last year and asked president Oregan Hoskins to tell them to concentrate on the world cup.
"We've made a blanket request that they focus on the World Cup and that none of the management team do any work outside their obligations to Saru," chief executive Jurie Roux told Timeslive.
"They can still do some things in their free time, but they need to get consent for any outside work they want to do."
The directive will impact on forward coach Gary Gold and backline coach Dick Muir in particular.
Gold has media commitments with SA Rugby Magazine and the website RugbyIQ
Muir, who came under fire for the Springboks lack of edge in the backline is the Lions and the International Rugby Academy.
Members of Saru's executive council has aired concerns that Muir's position is a conflict of interests as he could use his position to poach players for the Lions.
SARugby's stance could mean that Muir is forced to leave his director of rugby position at the Lions.
Lions president Kevin de Klerk said: "From the Lions side, we would concur (with Saru) 100%. Dick has been valuable for us, but we also appreciate he needs to be fully involved with Saru.
"I can see the necessity of being fully involved at that level, looking at the time and commitment John Mitchell has put into the Currie Cup and Super rugby."
"I feel that commitment can only be greater for a national coach."
Asked if Muir would still be employed by the Lions after the rugby world cup De Klerk was noncommittal.
"We'll always try to do the right thing by him. We feel we must not put him in a position where he has to make a choice of allegiances," De Klerk told TimesLive.
"But we're going to sit down and try to find a solution over the next week or so because so much can happen in a year."

Lynagh backs Cipriani to shine in southern sojourn

England's loss could be Melbourne's considerable gain.
That's the view of former Wallabies skipper Michael Lynagh, who believes the Melbourne Rebels' signing of English five-eighths Danny Cipriani for the upcoming Super Rugby season is a smart piece of business.
Lynagh, a member of the 1984 Grand Slam-winning squad and the 1991 World Cup champion Wallabies, sees mutual benefit in Cipriani's decision to abandon the Northern Hemisphere.
"There's a lot of interest in the Melbourne team with Cipriani playing there, a huge amount of interest in it actually," the legendary No 10 said from the Laureus Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi. "It's unfortunate circumstances that somebody as young and talented as him feels he has to leave because for whatever reasons he's feels he's not getting a fair look-in into the national set-up.
"I think there's faults on both sides. I think he's a very talented player and he's got a lot to offer and leaving the environment that he's been in might be good for him."

Cipriani, 23, has scored 49 points in seven tests for England and is considered one of the country's brightest rugby talents.
But he's almost as famous for his playboy lifestyle and string of model girlfriends as for his exploits on the pitch. He was dropped from the England squad before a likely debut in 2008 for "inappropriate behaviour" after being caught leaving a London nightclub after midnight two days before a match.

Rokocoko commits to All Blacks for RWC

Winger Joe Rokocoko has committed to the All Blacks for next year's World Cup on home soil, putting an end to media speculation about his immediate playing future.
The 27-year-old, the All Blacks most capped winger with 66 Tests, had extended his national contract until the end of 2011 and will play another season for the Auckland Blues in the revamped Super rugby season next year.
"I am really enjoying my rugby here at home and keen to continue playing throughout the rest of the year and into 2011," Rokocoko said.
"It's obviously going to be a massive year for New Zealand rugby next year and I want to be part of it."
Rokocoko started in six Tests this year in an injury-affected season and had been linked to a big-money move to French club Toulon with a raft of fringe players vying for his spot.
"Joe is the ultimate professional, a favourite with the fans and in his eighth year of professional rugby continues to be an outstanding rugby player," NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said.
"We are delighted that he has extended his contract through until next year."

Wellington positive about RWC 2011 plans

Yesterday, a number of key business leaders in Wellington pledged their ongoing support for Rugby World Cup 2011 at the Wellington Local Business Forum.

The forum, organised by the Wellington Regional Coordination Group, was attended by over 200 local businesspeople representing a diverse range of industries including sport, accommodation, tourism, hospitality and transport.

The event provided a chance to discuss the opportunities and challenges that RWC 2011 will provide in the Wellington region.

Updates were given by a number of key stakeholders including the Mayor of Wellington, Kerry Prendergast, Wellington City Council Chief Executive Garry Poole, Robert Rendle, Senior Solicitor with the Ministry of Economic Development and Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Ltd CEO Martin Snedden.

Mr Snedden was encouraged by the optimistic atmosphere of the forum: “There is a really positive outlook towards RWC 2011 here in Wellington. I got a good sense from this forum that the region will work really well collaboratively to make the Tournament a success in the capital city.”

“I have every confidence in the regional team here in Wellington. Their planning and preparedness for the Tournament is some of the best I have seen in the country,” he added.

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast said she got a sense from the forum that local businesspeople are very aware that RWC 2011 is now not far away at all. “There was a real buzz at the end - and it was good to know that the Tournament organising team in our region already has widespread support from the business community,” she said.

Wellington Regional Stadium will host five pool matches and two quarter-final matches as part of RWC 2011.

Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland lies on a narrow strip of land less than 2 kilometres wide at its narrowest point.  With Waitemate Harbour to the north which opens east to the Hauraki Gulf, and Manukau Harbour to the south, Auckland has a temperate oceanic climate and it is also the warmest and sunniest of all the cities in New Zealand.  It is surrounded by tropical forests and slumbering volcanoes, making Auckland a spectacular back drop for the Rugby World Cup 2011.  Most of Auckland’s matches will be decided at Eden Park with three pool matches to be played at North Harbour Stadium, and the final showdown at Eden Park on 23 October 2011.  With great venues such as trendy Kingsland and Viaduct Harbour, excellent bars and 4 official fan zones, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to watching your team fight it out.  There will also be open training sessions where you can meet the players from New Zealand, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Namibia, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa and Tonga.

Auckland is known for its excellent public transport system. The MAXX Journey Planner includes rail, bus, ferry and walking routes, making it very easy get around.

Be sure to visit some of Auckland’s most famous attractions, everyone needs a break! Rangitoto Island is a sleeping volcano which emerged a mere 600 years ago in the middle of the Hauraki Gulf. You can explore this island with a walk or a drive. Sky Tower is the highest building in the Southern Hemisphere at 192 meters. If you are feeling brave and have been inspired by the spirited Haka, you can have a go at base jumping, or simply walk around the outside of the Sky Tower for a real sky high thrill. Be sure to visit the fabulous rotating Orbit Restaurant. Auckland Harbour Bridge is another must for adrenaline junkies, climb over it, or bungee jump off it! You will be rewarded with panoramic views of the city and surrounding areas. Auckland also has a rich cultural heritage and the biggest collection of Maori treasures in the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

RWC 2011 Observer Programme launched

Rugby World Cup 2011 organisers are inviting members of the global sports family to apply to participate in the tournament’s official Observer Programme.

The innovative programme, hosted by tournament owners Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL), organising body Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Limited and the New Zealand Government, will be run over the semi-final weekend of October 15-17, 2011.

The programme is designed to provide a unique insight into the bidding, delivery, hosting and legacy of one of the world’s largest sports events. Participants will gain an invaluable insight into all the tournament’s functional areas from Rugby Services, Broadcast and Media Operations to Finance, Venues and City Operations.

the hub of Rugby World Cup 2011

The eyes of the world will be on Auckland for the business end of RWC 2011 when Eden Park hosts the Final on 23 October as well as both semi-finals the weekend before.
The city will also host eight pool matches, including the opening match at Eden Park on 9 September.
Held every four years, RWC is the third biggest sporting event in the world and is Auckland’s chance to showcase itself on the global stage.
The 2011 Tournament will have an estimated television audience of more than four billion people, and we expect up to 85,000 international visitors to come to New Zealand.
RWC 2011 will be held across the country over six weeks, with 20 nations taking part in the 48-game Tournament.
In Auckland you’ll see the world's finest players in action and enjoy a festival atmosphere for fans and locals alike.
We want to make sure all visitors leave our shores having enjoyed the best-ever Rugby World Cup.

Rugby World Cup - New Zealand 2011

The 2011 Rugby World Cup, to be held throughout New Zealand, will be a truly international festival of sport, attracting teams and spectatorsworldwide.


Venues Hosting Rugby World Cup 2011
Many of New Zealand's major rugby stadia have been rebuilt, refurbished or replaced in preparation for Rugby World 2011.

Auckland's Eden Park, where the final will take place, has been upgraded and modernised to satisfy the best international standards for players, spectators and broadcasters alike. Christchurch's AMI Stadium , originally Lancaster Park, has been rebuilt over a period of five years with the final stages now complete a year in advance of Rugby World Cup 2011.

Dunedin's historic Carisbrook hosted its last test match in June 2010 when Wales were the visitors. Crisbrook had become something of a relic with completely inadequate facilities for the needs of the modern age. It is being replaced by a purpose built stadium closer to Dunedin's city centre. This stadium will come complete with a roof, very handy indeed given the winter inclemence of the Dunedin weather.

Wellington's Athletic Park was replaced by a new stadium, the Westpac Stadium, popularly known as the Cake Tin, in the early part of this century.

Elsewhere throughout New Zealand, Hamilton's Athletic Park, Whangarei's Okara Park, Napier's Athletic Park and New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium have been upgraded in advance of Rugby World Cup 2011.
Highlights of Previous Rugby World Cups

The 1987 tournament, held in New Zealand, brought the sport of rugby union into line with other major world codes in organising a world cup,which would be held every four years.

The 1991 Rugby World Cup saw the emergence of some of the smaller rugby playing nations around the world, the Pacific nation Samoa upsetting one of the traditional powers of the game Wales in Cardiff.

The 1995 Rugby World Cup was hosted by South Africa, recently returned to the international sporting fold following its isolation during the days of apartheid. South African President Nelson Mandela's presence at the Final, played against traditional foes New Zealand, proved both emotional and an inspiration to the host country as they went on to take the trophy for the first time.

New Zealand for Rugby World Cup

Expect New Zealand to be packed during September and October of 2011 in what will be yet another fantastic festival of Rugby with thousands of fanatical but friendly supporters converging on the country and venues as well as taking in the sights in this colourful and different Country.
The previous World Cups were held in Australia and New Zealand (1987), England, France, Scotland, Ireland and Wales (1991), South Africa (1995), Wales, Ireland, England, Scotland and France (1999), Australia(2003), France (2007) and we will be in New Zealand next (2011).

IRB statement on Jock Hobbs

The International Rugby Board is saddened to learn that Jock Hobbs has stepped down from his position as Chairman of both the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Limited due to ill health.

Hobbs was elected Chairman of the NZRU in 2002 and has served with distinction, overseeing considerable success on and off the pitch while securing New Zealand the right to host Rugby World Cup 2011.

“Jock's contribution to New Zealand Rugby as Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union and to world Rugby as an IRB Council Member has been considerable," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"Amongst numerous highlights to date he provided the vision and leadership that secured New Zealand the right to host Rugby World Cup 2011 and as Chairman of RNZ 2011 those qualities have underpinned planning and preparation that is on track and on target to deliver an exceptional tournament."

"While Jock will no longer be hands on in the day to day delivery of the tournament, his legacy remains strong and I am sure that his dedication will be rewarded with a tournament that will write another successful chapter in the Rugby World Cup success story and an event that all New Zealanders can be proud of."

“On behalf of the International Rugby Board and the global Rugby family, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Jock for his immense contribution to global Rugby and I would also like to extend our very best wishes and support during this difficult time."

Top 14 Rugby bosses dock Bourgoin five points

French Top 14 Rugby bosses deducted Top 14 strugglers Bourgoin five points due to their worrying financial situation.
The Club's lawyer says that they would appeal the sanction which would leave Bourgoin with just five points after 15 matches.
If five points were deducted from Bourgoin they would trail nearest rivals La Rochelle by 16 points and 17 points behind the third last Brive.
Under Top 14 rules the bottom two clubs are relegated so the deduction would almost gaurantee their relegation.
Bourgoin forcasted end-of-season debts of around 1.5 million euros which is around 10 percent of their annual budget.