2007 Rugby World Cup

Un article de Vev.

Modèle:Rugby World Cup The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003, beating a bid from England. The competition consisted of 48 matches over 44 days; 42 matches were played in ten cities throughout France, as well as four in Cardiff, Wales, and two in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The eight quarter-finalists from 2003 were granted automatic qualification, while 12 other nations gained entry through the regional qualifying competitions that began in 2004 - of them, Portugal is the only World Cup debutant. The top three nations from each pool at the end of the pool stage will qualify automatically for the 2011 World Cup.

The competition opened with a match between hosts France and Argentina on 7 September at the Stade de France in St-Denis. The stadium was also the venue of the final match between England and South Africa on 20 October, which South Africa won by 15 points to 6, granting them their second World Cup title.

Bids

Both England and France bid to host the tournament.<ref name=England> England to launch bid for 2007

. rugby.com.au 
 
 (2001-09-12)
   

. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. </ref><ref name=pasttournaments> World Cup bidding process underway

. rugby.com.au 
 
 (September 28, 2002)
   

. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. </ref> The tender document for the 2007 bidding process was due out on October 31, 2001. Both England and France were invited to re-submit their plans.<ref name=resubmit> IRB clarifies World Cup bid situation

. rugby.com.au 
 
 (November 17, 2002)
   

. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. </ref> The International Rugby Board (IRB) stated that both countries must comply with tender document terms in one bid, but in their second option, could propose alternative ideas. The IRB said "England's original proposal contained three plans for hosting the tournament with a traditional, new and hybrid format all on offer... The French bid, while complying with the tender document in all other respects, fell outside one of the `windows` in which the IRB wanted to stage an event".<ref name="resubmit"/> England's bids included a two-tier tournament and altering the structure of the qualifying tournament and France had a bid in September/October.<ref name=resubmit/>

It was announced in April 2003 that France had won the right to host the tournament.<ref name=francewin> France wins right to host 2007 Rugby World Cup

. rugby.com.au 
 
 (April 11, 2003)
   

. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. </ref> The tournament was moved to the proposed September-October dates with the tournament structure remaining as it was.<ref name=francewin/> It was also announced that ten French cities would be hosting games, with the final at the Stade de France.<ref name=francewin/> French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said that "this decision illustrates the qualities of our country and its capacity to host major sporting events...This World Cup will be the opportunity to showcase the regions of France where the wonderful sport of rugby is deeply rooted".<ref name=francewin/> French Sports Minister Jean-Francois Lamour said that "The organisation of this World Cup will shine over all of France because ten French towns have the privilege of organising matches and to be in the world's spotlight."<ref name=francewin/> French cities to host games are Bordeaux, Lens, Lyon, Marseilles, Montpellier, Nantes, St. Etienne, Toulouse and Paris, and it was also announced that the final would be at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.<ref name=francewin/>

Qualifying

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifying

The eight quarter-finalists from the 2003 World Cup all received automatic entry, with the other 12 nations coming from qualifying series around the world. Ten of the 20 positions available in the tournament were filled by regional qualifiers, with an additional two being filled by repechage qualification. The qualifying tournament was divided into five regional groups; Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.<ref name=qualifyzones> RWC 2007 Qualifying process

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-11-16. </ref> Qualifying matches began in 2004 and were completed in early 2007. Including the automatic qualifiers, over 90 nations were in qualifying contention for the final tournament.

In July 2005, both Samoa and Fiji were confirmed as the qualifiers from Oceania, as Oceania 1 and 2 respectively.<ref name=samoafiji> Samoa and Fiji through to RWC 2007

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-11-14. </ref> In July of the following year, Argentina qualified as Americas 1 by defeating Uruguay 26-0 in Buenos Aires.<ref name=Argentina> Argentina qualify for Rugby World Cup 2007

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-11-14. </ref> Americas 2 was filled in August when Canada defeated the United States 56-7 in Newfoundland.<ref name=Canada> Canada qualifies for RWC 2007

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-11-14. </ref> The United States went on to qualify as Americas 3 after beating Uruguay in a two-legged tie in early October.<ref name=usa> USA Eagles qualify for 2007 World Cup

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-11-14. </ref> That month also saw Italy qualify as Europe 1 after defeating Russia 67-7 in Moscow, reaching the first place in its qualifying group; Romania defeated Spain 43-20 in Madrid, and also qualified for the World Cup as Europe 2.<ref name=italyromania> Italy and Romania qualify for RWC 2007

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-11-14. </ref>

Namibia qualified for their third consecutive World Cup after they earned their spot in France by defeating Morocco over two legs in November.<ref name=Namibia> Namibia qualify for Rugby World Cup

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-11-14. </ref> In late 2006, it was announced that the IRB had withdrawn Colombo as the venue of the final Asian qualifying tournament due to security problems.<ref name=asiaqualif> IRB scraps Asian World Cup qualifiers in Sri Lanka

. lankabusinessonline.com 
 
 (October 27, 2006)
   

. Retrieved on 2006-10-27. </ref> Japan won the only Asian allocation after the tournament was moved to Hong Kong.<ref name=japangeorgia> Japan and Georgia qualify

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-11-14. </ref> Georgia was 14 points the better of Portugal over two legs to claim the last European place.<ref name="japangeorgia"/> Tonga qualified through repechage after defeating Korea.<ref name=Tonga> Tonga through to RWC 2007 finals

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-11-14. </ref> The final spot went to Portugal, joining Pool C after beating Uruguay 24-23 on aggregate. Portugal's qualification was the only change in the 20-team roster from the 2003 World Cup, replacing Uruguay, becoming the only wholly amateur team to qualify.

Nations

Hosting

Modèle:Seealso

France won the right to host the 2007 World Cup in 2003, and it was subsequently announced that four matches would be held in Wales, at Cardiff's 74,500 seat Millennium Stadium (two Pool B games that involve the Welsh team, the match between Fiji and Canada, and a quarter-final). Ireland was set to host matches in Dublin at Lansdowne Road, but due to scheduling conflicts with the reconstruction of the stadium, opted out.<ref name=scotlandgames> Scotland looks to give up World cup matches at Murrayfield

. worldcupweb.com 
 
 (2005-12-02)
   

. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. </ref>

Two Pool C matches were held at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium. It was rumoured that these games might end up being played elsewhere,<ref name=scotlandgames/> Wales expressed interest in acquiring Scotland's allocation of matches if they were to withdraw,<ref name=scotlandgames2> Scots could disrupt World cup hosting plans

. worldcupweb.com 
 
 (February 20, 2006)
   

. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. </ref> but it was confirmed in April 2006 that Scotland would be hosting the games after all. There is a substantial increase in the overall capacity of stadiums compared to the 2003 Rugby World Cup - the smallest venue at the 2007 tournament will seat 33,900 people. The French venues are the same as those used for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. There were around 6,000 volunteers who helped organise the competition.<ref name=organise> Volunteers primed to play their part at RWC'07

. scrum.com 
 
 (March 18, 2006)
   

. Retrieved on 2007-11-15. </ref>

Although the 2007 World Cup is the first tournament principally hosted by France, a number of matches during the 1991 and 1999 tournaments, where the finals were held in England and Wales respectively, were played in France. Pool D (which included France) matches were played throughout France including Béziers, Bayonne, Grenoble, Toulouse, Brive and Agen. Parc des Princes and Stadium Lille-Metropole also hosted a quarter-final each. Similarly, Pool C fixtures in 1999 were played throughout France in Béziers, Bordeaux and Toulouse.<ref name=99wc> 1999 Rugby World Cup venues

. sportsillustrated.cnn.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-03-16. </ref> A second round match was held at Stade Félix Bollaert, and one quarter final was held at the Stade de France, both 2007 venues.<ref name="99wc"/>

Tickets and sponsorship

Ticket sales for the Rugby World Cup were broken up into three phases. The first phase were released in November 2005, when members of the European rugby community, such as officials, players and so on were given the opportunity for various packages. Upon the release of the second phase ticketing scheme, more than 100,000 tickets were sold in the first ten hours of release.<ref name=msn> Rush For Rugby World Cup Tickets

. xtramsn.co.nz  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2006-04-22. </ref> The remaining tickets — individual tickets and tickets to the semi-finals — were released in phase three in November 2006. In June 2007, it was announced that 2 million of the 2.4 million tickets had been sold in advance of the tournament.<ref name=tickettwo> Unprecedented demand for RWC 2007 tickets

. rugbyworldcup.com 
 
 (2006-11-09)
   

. Retrieved on 2006-11-22. </ref>

The Worldwide partners for the tournament are Société Générale, GMF, Électricité de France, Peugeot, Visa and SNCF,<ref name=worldwide> RWC 2007 Worldwide Partners

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-14. </ref> and official sponsors include Heineken, Vediorbis, Capgemini, Orange, Toshiba and Emirates.<ref name=sponsors> RWC 2007 Sponsors

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-14. </ref> Gilbert will be providing the tournament balls, the Gilbert Synergie match ball will be used throughout the tournament. This continues Gilbert's involvement with the World Cup, the company having provided the Barbarian (1995), Revolution (1999) and Xact (2003) balls in the past.<ref name=gilbert> Rugby World Cup 2007

. gilbertrugby.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. </ref> Along with Gilbert, the official suppliers are Adidas, Coca-Cola, Clifford Chance, Goodyear and McDonalds.<ref name=suppliers> RWC 2007 Suppliers

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. </ref> The host broadcaster for the event is TVH.<ref name="TVHHB">TVH Website</ref>

Squads

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup squads

Each country is allowed a squad of 30 players for the tournament. These squads were to be submitted to the International Rugby Board by a deadline of the 14 August 2007.<ref name="TongaSquad">"

   Tonga reveal squad for World Cup 
     
 " , bbc.co.uk
  , 2007-08-10
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-09-02
 . </ref> Once the squad is submitted a player may be replaced if injured, but will not be allowed to return to the squad.

Match officials

The 2007 Rugby World Cup officials were appointed in late-April 2007, with 12 referees and 13 touch judges being selected. In the knockout stage the 12 referees also acted as touch judges, with referee appointments being based on performance from previous matches and selection for neutrality. Referees came from seven different nationalities and three of them made their Rugby World Cup debut. The touch judges came from 10 different countries. Tony Spreadbury of England officiated the opening game between France and Argentina at the Stade de France<ref name=england> Referees Announced For World Cup

. Yahoo! Sport UK 
 
 (2006-04-26)
   

. Retrieved on 2007-05-02. </ref> and Irishman Alain Rolland refereed the final.

. planet-rugby.com 
 
 (2006-04-26)
   

Format

The competition was contested over 44 days between 20 different nations, over 48 fixtures. The tournament began on 7 September at the Stade de France with a match between the host nation, France, and Argentina. The tournament culminated at the same venue on 20 October for the Final between England and South Africa.

Pool stage

The 20 nations were split up into four pools, designated A through to D, each comprising five teams. Each pool had one semi-finalist and one quarter-finalist (automatic qualifiers) from the 2003 tournament, with the other three places filled via the qualification system. Each nation plays every other team in their pool once; each nation therefore played four matches during the pool stage.

Classification within each pool was based on the following scoring system:

• four match points for a win;
• two for a draw;
• zero for a loss.<ref name=rules> Tournament Rules

. rugbyworldcup.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-14. </ref> Bonus points, contributing to a team's cumulative match-point score, were awarded in each of the following instances (one match point for each event):

• a team scores four or more tries (regardless of the match result);
• a team loses by seven points (a converted try) or fewer.<ref name="rules"/>

At the end of the pool stage, teams were ranked from first to fifth based on cumulative match points, with the top two nations proceeding to the quarter-finals.

If at the completion of the pool phase two or more Teams were level on Match points, then the following criteria would have been used in the following order until one of the Teams could be determined as the higher ranked: <ref name="rules"/>

i. The winner of the Match in which the two tied Teams have played each other shall be the higher ranked;

ii. The Team which has the best difference between points scored for and points scored against in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked;

iii. The Team which has the best difference between tries scored for and tries scored against in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked;

iv. The Team which has scored most points in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked;

v. The Team which has scored most tries in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked;

vi. Should the tie be unresolved at the conclusion of steps (i) through (v), the Team that is higher ranked in the updated Official IRB World Rankings on October 1, 2007.

By elevating head-to-head results (rule i) above points difference (rule ii), a notable difference is created to other sports competitions, in which points difference usually determines rank for teams with the same number of match points (table points). These rules allowed the winners of Pools A, B and C to be determined by the results of the third pool matches on the weekend of September 22 and 23.<ref>rugbyworldcup.com/Fixtures/Knockout Stages. Retrieved 24 September 2007.</ref> Although other teams could theoretically draw level on table points with South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and exceed their points differences at the end of the pool stages, head-to-head results by that time ensured these teams could be declared winners of their respective pools, with a match to spare. This also illustrates the fact that the pool tables do not tell the whole story.

Knockout stage

From this stage onwards, the tournament adopted a knockout format comprising eight fixtures: four quarter-finals, two semi-finals, a bronze medal match, and the final. The winner and runner-up from each of the four pools advanced to the quarter-finals. Pool winners were drawn against opposite pool runners-up in the quarter-finals, e.g. the winner of Pool A faced the runner up of Pool B, and the winner of Pool B faced the runner-up of Pool A.

Each match in the knockout stage must conclude in a victory. If, after eighty minutes of normal play, a match results in a draw, further play is made to determine an outright winner. Initially, there will be two periods of extra time, 10 minutes each way; if there is no winner after this, then play proceeds to a single 10 minute period of 'sudden death' play. If the contest is unresolved after a total 110 minutes of open play, the winner will be determined by a placekicking competition.<ref name="rules"/>

Effect on 2011 qualification

In a change from the format of the previous tournament, the top three teams in each pool will qualify for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand;<ref> New qualifying structure - 2011

. sport.iafrica.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. </ref> previously, only the eight quarter-finalists gained an automatic place in the following tournament.

Pool stage

All times French time (UTC+2)

Pool A

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup - Pool A

Pool B

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup - Pool B

Pool C

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup - Pool C

Pool D

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup - Pool D

Knockout stage

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup knockout stage

Modèle:Rugby World Cup bracket

Quarter-finals

Modèle:Rugbybox

Modèle:Rugbybox

Modèle:Rugbybox

Modèle:Rugbybox

Semi-finals

Modèle:Rugbybox

Modèle:Rugbybox

Bronze final

Modèle:Rugbybox

Final

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup Final

Modèle:Rugbybox

Modèle:Winners

Citing controversy

There has been some controversy over the post match citings by IRB Citing Commissioners with all players not being cited for seemingly similar offences or receiving lengthy bans when other players are only sin binned (yellow carded).<ref name="leach" /><ref name="pope" /><ref name="Rees"> Rees , Paul

  . 
 "
   Conspiracy theories abound as crunch fixtures approach 
     
 " , Planet Rugby
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-09-26
 . </ref>

Examples of inconsistencies include the citing of Schalk Burger against Samoa in the same game Brian Lima executed what seemed to be a late tackle. Lima wasn't cited in that instance, but later received a three week ban following an almost identical tackle on England's Jonny Wilkinson.<ref name="naish" />

England's Phil Vickery received a two week ban for tripping an American player, while Christophe Dominici only received a yellow card for the same offence in the 2003 World Cup.<ref name="naish"/> Other examples of players being sin binned, but not receiving further punishment include Australia's Drew Mitchell for his spear tackle on a Welsh player and New Zealand prop Carl Hayman for punching (a serious offence) an Italian opponent.<ref> Morton , Jim

  . 
 "
   Mitchell sidesteps citing bullet 
     
 " , Fox Sports
  , 2007-09-18
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-10-03
 . </ref><ref name="Rees"/>

Statistics

Teams

Source: RugbyWorldCup.com, last updated 20 October.

Individual records

Top point scorers

Note: ranked according to points then number of appearances

Key: Pos = position; Apps = appearances; Con = conversions; Pen = penalties; Drop = drop goals

Source: RugbyWorldCup.com, last updated 20 October.

Top try scorers

Key: Pos = position; Apps = appearances

See also

Modèle:Portal

• 2007 Rugby World Cup warm-up tests

References

External links

• France2007 Official website of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
• ITV Rugby World Cup - Official TV Broadcast website for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
• IRB.com International Rugby Board official site.
• Planet Rugby News

Modèle:Start box Modèle:Succession box Modèle:End box

Modèle:2007 Rugby World Cup Modèle:Rugby Union World Cup Modèle:2007 Rugby Union World Cup qualifying Modèle:Rugby07Modèle:Link FA

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