2011 Rugby World Cup
 | This article documents a current rugby tournament. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. Initial news reports, scores, or statistics may be unreliable. The last updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
 | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host nation |  New Zealand |
| Dates | 9 September – 23 October |
| No. of nations | 20 (91 qualifying) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 28 |
The 2011 Rugby World Cup is the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board (IRB) selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005. The IRB Council eliminated South Africa in the first of two rounds of voting.
It is the largest sporting event ever held in New Zealand,[1] eclipsing the 1987 Rugby World Cup, 1990 Commonwealth Games, 1992 Cricket World Cup, 2003 America's Cup and 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.[2] The organisers expect 95,000 visitors from overseas to travel to New Zealand for the event.[3]
The schedule of games runs over seven weeks starting on 9 September 2011. The final will be played on Sunday 23 October 2011, a date chosen because it falls on a long weekend caused by the New Zealand public holiday of Labour Day (Monday, 24 October 2011).[4] The final is scheduled to be played in Auckland at Eden Park.[5]
After speculation that the number of participating teams would be reduced to 16, the IRB announced on 30 November 2007 that the 2011 tournament would again feature 20 teams.[6] Twelve teams qualified as a result of finishing in the top three in each pool in the 2007 tournament. The remaining eight berths were determined by regional qualifying tournaments.[7] Of the 20 countries that competed in the previous World Cup in 2007, there was only one change – Russia replaced Portugal.
Host selection
New Zealand co-hosted the first Rugby World Cup with Australia in 1987. Originally set to co-host the 2003 tournament with Australia, a disagreement over ground signage rights saw the New Zealand games dropped and Australia became the sole host. Prior to the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand, critics doubted that New Zealand had the infrastructure to host an event of this size.[citation needed] The 2011 New Zealand bid contained plans to enlarge the size of Eden Park and other stadia to help increase the commercial viability of the bid.
Of the three candidates, Japan was widely expected to win hosting rights.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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 stadia from the 2002 FIFA World Cup, it had the necessary infrastructure already in place. Japan eventually succeeded in its aim to host a World Cup in 2009, when it was awarded the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The South African bid, led by former national captain François 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.[citation needed]
The New Zealand bid was led by the New Zealand Rugby Union (at the time of bidding known as the New Zealand Rugby Football Union) and supported by the New Zealand Government, through the Prime Minister and current players, represented by the All Black captain. After winning the bid, the NZRFU expressed extreme disappointment towards their Australian counterparts who voted against New Zealand hosting the event, due to the NZRFU's misplaced expectation that the "ANZAC spirit" would result in a vote for New Zealand. After South Africa was voted out of the running for the hosting rights, their rugby union stated that they voted for New Zealand, as they remembered the anti-apartheid sentiment that average New Zealanders had demonstrated during the 1981 South African tour.[citation needed]
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 17 November 2005.
Preparations
Costs
The event is expected to cost about NZ$310 million to run and to generate NZ$280 million in ticket sales.[8] In Auckland, the city where many of the most important games will take place, the costs to the local ratepayers alone has been estimated at $102 million.[9]
Concerns
In the years between winning the bid and the staging of the event, New Zealand news media and social agencies cast aspersions on the nation's readiness and appropriate use of national funds for sports infrastructure, as has happened with most large, international, quadrennial, multi-location sporting events of recent decades such as the 2012 Olympics, 2010 FIFA World Cup, 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2002 Commonwealth Games.[citation needed]
Concerns were raised about the process of upgrading Eden Park to expand the capacity to the 60,000 required by the IRB. In late 2008 Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully said the remaining consent process might need to be overridden by legislation for the work to be completed on time.[10]
A July 2009 report by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, released under the Official Information Act, warned of lack of readiness and complacency, despite the fact that "the levels of patron movement and operational standard [needed for the RWC] are in reality significantly above what is currently delivered."[11] The report was dismissed by Michael Barnett, the Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO and planning co-coordinator for RWC events in Auckland, who characterised it as a case of "a Wellington media organisation us[ing] an outdated report".[12]
The nation's largest hospitality workers' union, Unite, which represents 25% of hotel, restaurant and casino workers in New Zealand, has floated the idea of a strike during the RWC.[13]
The construction of Dunedin's Otago Stadium was a source of concern as the project was operating within a tight time frame. An April 2010 progress report stated that the project remained on target for completion prior to the Rugby World Cup, although there was a medium level of risk with some significant and potentially damaging concerns.[14] If the project had not been completed on time, organisers would have reverted to Carisbrook as the backup option. Forsyth Barr Stadium was officially opened on 6 August 2011.[15]
Warm-up matches
The 2011 Tri Nations Series was shortened to include only six games instead of the usual nine. It served as the primary preparation for the tournament for Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. In the northern hemisphere, a series of friendlies played in August 2011 replaced the annual tours to the southern hemisphere. North American entrants Canada beat USA in two warm-up friendlies in August 2011.
Qualification
Twenty teams are competing in the 2011 World Cup. The following twelve teams qualified for the 2011 World Cup by finishing in the top three of their pool in the 2007 Rugby World Cup:[7][16]
The remaining eight teams qualified for the 2011 World Cup through regional qualifying competitions:
Twelve of the twenty nations at this tournament have competed in every previous Rugby World Cup – Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, and Wales. All the other sides also have previous World Cup experience, except for Russia who are appearing in a Rugby World Cup for the first time.
Venues
The 13 venues for the 2011 Rugby World Cup were confirmed on 12 March 2009.[17] A number of the venues were redeveloped to increase capacity for the event. The Government considered passing a law bypassing the consent process to allow all the stadiums' redevelopment to be completed in time.[10]
Due to damage to Stadium Christchurch and many other facilities in Christchurch caused by the earthquake on 22 February 2011, it was announced on 16 March that the matches to be played in the city would be relocated. The two quarter-finals scheduled would be moved to Auckland, while the five group matches will move to other centres.[18]
On 10 November 2006, the New Zealand Government announced plans for Stadium New Zealand in Auckland. The proposal was to build the new stadium seating 70,000 on the 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. The redevelopment of Eden Park's Southern and South Western stands was completed during 2010.
Dunedin's new stadium, named Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza, was completed in August 2011 and will be used instead of Carisbrook.[19]
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- ^1 with temporary seating
Draw
Seeding of teams for the 2011 World Cup was based on their respective IRB World Rankings.[20] The top four at the 2007 Rugby World Cup (South Africa, England, Argentina, and France) were not therefore 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.[20]
The draw was conducted in December 2008 and used the World Rankings as of 1 December 2008,[21] after the Northern Hemisphere Autumn internationals.[22] The teams were placed into three bands depending on their seedings at the time, with one team from each band in each of the groups.[20] The rankings and bands were therefore: New Zealand (1), South Africa (2), Australia (3) and Argentina (4); Wales (5), England (6), France (7) and Ireland (8); Scotland (9), Fiji (10), Italy (11) and Tonga (12).[21]
The full draw and venues for the tournament were announced on 12 March 2009.[23]
The opening match saw the hosts, New Zealand, take on Tonga.
Squads
Each country was allowed a squad of 30 players for the tournament. These squads were to be submitted to the International Rugby Board by a deadline of 22 August 2011.[24] Once the squad was submitted a player could be replaced if injured, but would not be allowed to return to the squad. There is also a stand-down period of 72 hours before the new player is allowed to take the field. Hence, a replacement player called into a squad on the eve of a game will not be permitted to play in that game.
Match officials
On 8 April 2011, the IRB named ten referees, seven assistant referees and four television match officials to handle the group stage games. Two of the seven assistants will also be reserve referees if required.[25]
|
Referees[25]
Reserve and assistant referees[25] |
Assistant referees[25] Television match officials[25]
|
Pool stage
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D |
|---|---|---|---|
The first round, or pool stage, sees the twenty teams divided into four pools of five teams using the same format that was used in 2003 and in 2007. Each pool is a round-robin of ten games, where each team plays one match against each of the other teams in the same pool. Teams are awarded four points for a win, two points for a draw and none for a defeat. A team scoring four or more tries in one match will score a bonus point, as will a team who lose by seven points or fewer.
The teams finishing in the top two of each pool will advance to the quarterfinals. The top three teams of each pool will receive automatic qualification to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
If two or more teams are tied on match points, the following tiebreakers apply:
- The winner of the match between the two teams (does not apply if more than two teams are tied);
- Difference between points scored for and points scored against in all pool matches;
- Difference between tries scored for and tries scored against in all its pool matches;
- Points scored in all its pool matches;
- Most tries scored in all pool matches;
- Official IRB World Rankings as of 3 October 2011.[26]
Template:2011 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final Qualifiers
Pld = matches played, W = matches won, D = draws, L = losses, TF = tries for, PF = match points for, PA = match points against, +/− = sum total of points for/against, BP = bonus points, Pts = pool points
Pool A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 240 | 49 | +191 | 36 | 4 | 20 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 |  France
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 124 | 96 | +28 | 13 | 3 | 11 | |
| 3 |  Tonga
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 80 | 98 | −18 | 7 | 1 | 9 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 |  Canada
|
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 82 | 168 | −86 | 9 | 0 | 6 | |
| 5 |  Japan
|
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 69 | 184 | −115 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| 9 September 2011 | New Zealand |
41 – 10 | Tonga |
Eden Park, Auckland |
| 10 September 2011 | France  |
47 – 21 | Japan |
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland |
| 14 September 2011 | Tonga |
20 – 25 | Canada |
Northland Events Centre, Whangarei |
| 16 September 2011 | New Zealand |
83 – 7 | Japan |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
| 18 September 2011 | France |
46 – 19 | Canada |
McLean Park, Napier |
| 21 September 2011 | Tonga |
31 – 18 | Japan |
Northland Events Centre, Whangarei |
| 24 September 2011 | New Zealand |
37 – 17 | France |
Eden Park, Auckland |
| 27 September 2011 | Canada |
23 – 23 | Japan |
McLean Park, Napier |
| 1 October 2011 | France |
14 – 19 | Tonga |
Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| 2 October 2011 | New Zealand |
vs | Canada |
Regional Stadium, Wellington |
Pool B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  England
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 137 | 34 | +103 | 18 | 2 | 18 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 |  Argentina
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 90 | 40 | +50 | 10 | 2 | 14 | |
| 3 |  Scotland
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 73 | 59 | +14 | 4 | 3 | 11 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 |  Georgia
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 90 | −42 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
| 5 |  Romania
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 44 | 169 | −125 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 September 2011 | Scotland |
34 – 24 | Romania |
Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill |
| 10 September 2011 | England |
13 – 9 | Argentina |
Otago Stadium, Dunedin |
| 14 September 2011 | Scotland |
15 – 6 | Georgia |
Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill |
| 17 September 2011 | Argentina |
43 – 8 | Romania |
Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill |
| 18 September 2011 | England |
41 – 10 | Georgia |
Otago Stadium, Dunedin |
| 24 September 2011 | England |
67 – 3 | Romania |
Otago Stadium, Dunedin |
| 25 September 2011 | Argentina |
13 – 12 | Scotland |
Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| 28 September 2011 | Georgia |
25 – 9 | Romania |
Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North |
| 1 October 2011 | England |
16 – 12 | Scotland |
Eden Park, Auckland |
| 2 October 2011 | Argentina |
vs | Georgia |
Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North |
Pool C
.jpg)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ireland
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 34 | +101 | 15 | 1 | 17 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 |  Australia
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 173 | 48 | +125 | 25 | 3 | 15 | |
| 3 |  Italy
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 92 | 95 | −3 | 13 | 2 | 10 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 |  United States
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 122 | −84 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 5 |  Russia
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 57 | 196 | −139 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 September 2011 | Australia |
32 – 6 | Italy |
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland |
| 11 September 2011 | Ireland |
22 – 10 | United States |
Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth |
| 15 September 2011 | Russia |
6 – 13 | United States |
Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth |
| 17 September 2011 | Australia |
6 – 15 | Ireland |
Eden Park, Auckland |
| 20 September 2011 | Italy |
53 – 17 | Russia |
Trafalgar Park, Nelson |
| 23 September 2011 | Australia |
67 – 5 | United States |
Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| 25 September 2011 | Ireland |
62 – 12 | Russia |
International Stadium, Rotorua |
| 27 September 2011 | Italy |
27 – 10 | United States |
Trafalgar Park, Nelson |
| 1 October 2011 | Australia |
68 – 22 | Russia |
Trafalgar Park, Nelson |
| 2 October 2011 | Ireland |
vs | Italy |
Otago Stadium, Dunedin |
Pool D
.jpg)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  South Africa
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 24 | +142 | 21 | 2 | 18 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 |  Wales
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 180 | 34 | +146 | 23 | 3 | 15 | |
| 3 |  Samoa
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 91 | 49 | +42 | 9 | 2 | 10 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 |  Fiji
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 167 | −108 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 |  Namibia
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 44 | 266 | −222 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 September 2011 | Fiji |
49 – 25 | Namibia |
International Stadium, Rotorua |
| 11 September 2011 | South Africa |
17 – 16 | Wales |
Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| 14 September 2011 | Samoa |
49 – 12 | Namibia |
International Stadium, Rotorua |
| 17 September 2011 | South Africa |
49 – 3 | Fiji |
Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| 18 September 2011 | Wales |
17 – 10 | Samoa |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
| 22 September 2011 | South Africa |
87 – 0 | Namibia |
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland |
| 25 September 2011 | Fiji |
7 – 27 | Samoa |
Eden Park, Auckland |
| 26 September 2011 | Wales |
81 – 7 | Namibia |
Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth |
| 30 September 2011 | South Africa |
13 – 5 | Samoa |
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland |
| 2 October 2011 | Wales |
vs | Fiji |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
Knockout stage
| Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 8 October 18:00 (05:00 UTC) – Wellington | ||||||||||
| Australia | ||||||||||
| 15 October 21:00 (08:00 UTC) – Auckland | ||||||||||
| 2nd in Pool D | ||||||||||
| Winner QF1 | ||||||||||
| 8 October 20:30 (07:30 UTC) – Auckland | ||||||||||
| Winner QF2 | ||||||||||
| England | ||||||||||
| 23 October 21:00 (08:00 UTC) – Auckland | ||||||||||
| France | ||||||||||
| Winner SF1 | ||||||||||
| 9 October 18:00 (05:00 UTC) – Wellington | ||||||||||
| Winner SF2 | ||||||||||
| South Africa | ||||||||||
| 16 October 21:00 (08:00 UTC) – Auckland | ||||||||||
| 2nd in Pool C | ||||||||||
| Winner QF3 | ||||||||||
| 9 October 20:30 (07:30 UTC) – Auckland | ||||||||||
| Winner QF4 | Third place | |||||||||
| New Zealand | ||||||||||
| 21 October 20:30 (07:30 UTC) – Auckland | ||||||||||
| 2nd in Pool B | ||||||||||
| Loser SF1 | ||||||||||
| Loser SF2 | ||||||||||
Point scorers
in progress
Broadcasting
Sky Network Television, New Zealand's largest subscription television provider, is the host broadcaster for the Rugby World Cup with matches being transmitted in high definition where available. Games will also be available on free to air networks in New Zealand but not all Pool Matches will be screened live. Broadcasting rights have been given through out the world by the IRB, including highlights, free to air and pay per view.[27]
References
- General
- "An anatomy of the World Cup vote". New Zealand Herald. 20 November 2005.
- "Govt: We want waterfront, tell us your views". NZPA. 10 November 2006.
- IRB announce Rugby World Cup match officials
- Specific
- ^ "Christchurch loses all RWC games". The New Zealand Herald. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
- ^ "Rugby World Cup 2011". New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
- ^ Hembry, Owen (20 August 2011). "Here come the Cup fans". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
- ^ "Final date for RWC 2011 revealed". allblacks.com. 24 July 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2007.
- ^ "Rugby New Zealand 2011 Fact Sheet". irb.com. International Rugby Board. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
- ^ "Twenty teams to compete at Rugby World 2011". rugbyworldcup.com. International Rugby Board. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
- ^ a b "Qualifying changes for 2011 RWC". BBC. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
- ^ "World Cup 2011 tickets won't come cheap". nzherald.com. 24 August 2007.
- ^ "Ratepayers to pick up $900,000 tab for giant TV screens". The New Zealand Herald. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Deadline fears for stadium". The New Zealand Herald. 13 December 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ Hartevelt, John (2010-02-02). "Fears Auckland won't cope with World Cup". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
- ^ "Auckland Transport "Will Be Ready" For Rugby World Cup 2011". Voxy.co.nz. 2010-02-02. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
- ^ "Rugby World Cup strike risk". Nzherald.co.nz. June 2010. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
- ^ "STADIUM STAKEHOLDERS GROUP REPORT", Athol Stephens, Dunedin City Council, Acting Chief Executive" (PDF). 26 April 2010. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
- ^ Loughrey, David (6 August 2011). "Stadium opened amid celebrations". Otago Daily Times Online. Allied Press. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ "RWC 2007 – Standings". irb.com. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
- ^ "RWC 2011 fixtures and pool venues announced". rugbyworldcup.com. International Rugby Board. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
- ^ "Rugby World Cup press release on Christchurch matches". Television New Zealand. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- ^ "Carisbrook 'on track' for cup games". Otago Daily Times. Allied Press. 4 March 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
- ^ a b c "Rankings to determine RWC pools". bbc.co.uk. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
- ^ a b "IRB World Rankings at 1 December 2008". Irb.com. 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
- ^ "IRB World Rankings used for RWC 2011 draw" (Press release). International Rugby Board. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
- ^ "RWC 2011 pools and match schedule". rugbyworldcup.com. International Rugby Board. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
- ^ http://jrfu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=520:initial-rwc-squad-named&catid=1:latest-news
- ^ a b c d e "RWC 2011 Selection" (PDF). irb.com. International Rugby Board. 8 April 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ "Pool stage rules".
- ^ "Where can I watch RWC 2011?". IRB. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
External links
