#19
Rugby World Cup
Published or Updated September 14, 2015
Location: United Kingdom
Sport: Rugby
Level: Professional
Sport: Rugby
Level: Professional
Event Type: Team Championship
First Held: 1883
Next Up: 9/18/2015-10/31/2015
First Held: 1883
Next Up: 9/18/2015-10/31/2015
When and Where: every four years at rotating sites around the world
One of the largest international sporting competitions on the globe, the Rugby World Cup, organized by the sport’s governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), has grown since its inaugural in 1987 to become one of the most popular competitions in international sport, with attendance of 2.2 million and 4.5 billion watching worldwide.
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Facts and Links
1987 - The inaugural tournament was held in 1987, hosted by both Australia and New Zealand
1995 - The 1995 tournament was hosted by South Africa, which had originally tied the vote that eventually saw the first event take place. The tournament was the first that South Africa would actually play in, following the end of the international sports
2003 - England emerged as champions defeating Australia in extra time. England's win was unique in that it broke the Southern hemisphere's domination of the event. Such was the celebration of England's victory, that an estimated 750,000 people gathered in
2007 - The 2007 competition was hosted by France, with matches also being held in Wales and Scotland. South Africa claimed their second title by defeating defending champions England fifteen points to six.
In total, twenty-four nations have participated at the Rugby World Cup (excluding qualifying tournaments).
Grant Fox of New Zealand holds the record for most points in one competition, with 126 in 1987
Jason Leonard of England holds the record for most appearances with 22 from 1991 to 2003.
Simon Culhane holds the record for most points in a match by a player, 45, as well as the record for most conversions in a match: 20.
Links
Quotes
"The French are predictably unpredictable."
Andrew Mehrtens, after an All-Blacks surprise loss to the French in the 1999 Rugby World Cup
"Remember that rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to Jonah."
Anon fax to N.Z. teambefore the New Zealand v England World Cup semi-final
