Rugby Union World Cup

The Rugby Union World Cup is held every four years in various locations around the world.

The last tournament was won by South Africa in 2007 with the 2003 champions, England, coming in as runners up, the next tournament will be held in New Zealand in 2011.

The tournament was avoided for a long time, because the people in charge wanted to keep the game's amateur status. In the 1980s however, some countries wanted to turn it into a professional sport.

As professionalism grew, so did the rallies for a World Cup. Eventually, the idea was put through a vote, which it passed.

The inaugural competition was held in Australia & New Zealand in 1987, and was won by New Zealand.

The inaugural event had 16 teams, but that increased to 20 in 1999. The tournament structure has remained almost unchanged, with 1999 being the most radical with Quarter Final Playoffs.

The standard of international rugby has increased with this competition, and the sport is gaining popularity. It has always been successful in South Africa, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Australia, the British countries and France, but there are new pockets of interest in Italy, Argentina, Japan, and the United States.

[edit] Roll of Honour

1987  New Zealand
1991  Australia
1995  South Africa
1999  Australia
2003  England
2007  South Africa