2007 Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup

datefrom = 2007-09-07
dateto = 2007-10-20
host = France
nations = 20 (91 qualifying)
champion = South Africa
runnerup = England
matches = 48
attendance = 2263223
top scorer = flagicon|RSA Percy Montgomery (105)
most tries = flagicon|RSA Bryan Habana (8)
preceded by = 2003 Rugby World Cup
succeeded by = 2011 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, and won by South Africa, who defeated England at the Stade de France in St. Denis, Paris. 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 was 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.cite web |title=England to launch bid for 2007 |url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2001_september/england_to_launch_bid_for_2007_rwc_12158,8514.html |date=2001-09-12 |accessdate=2006-10-07 |publisher=rugby.com.au] cite web | publisher=rugby.com.au | title=World Cup bidding process underway|date=2002-09-28|url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2002_ber/world_cup_bidding_process_underway_14773,4063.html | accessdate=2006-10-07] 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.cite web | publisher=rugby.com.au | title=IRB clarifies World Cup bid situation|date=2002-11-17|url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2002_december/irb_clarifies_world_cup_bid_position_14984,7997.html | accessdate=2006-10-07] 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". England's bids included a two-tier tournament and altering the structure of the qualifying tournament and France had a bid in September/October.

It was announced in April 2003 that France had won the right to host the tournament.cite web | publisher=rugby.com.au | title=France wins right to host 2007 Rugby World Cup|date=2003-04-11|url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2003_april/france_wins_right_to_host_the_2007_rugby_wor_15381,3851.html | accessdate=2006-10-07] The tournament was moved to the proposed September-October dates with the tournament structure remaining as it was. It was also announced that ten French cities would be hosting games, with the final at the Stade de France. 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". 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." 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.

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.cite web | publisher=rugbyworldcup.com | title=RWC 2007 Qualifying process|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=277526.html#rwc+2007+qualifying+process| accessdate=2007-11-16] 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.cite web | publisher=rugbyworldcup.com | title=Samoa and Fiji through to RWC 2007|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=277512.html#samoa+fiji+through+rwc+2007| accessdate=2007-11-14] In July of the following year, Argentina qualified as Americas 1 by defeating Uruguay 26-0 in Buenos Aires.cite web | publisher=rugbyworldcup.com | title=Argentina qualify for Rugby World Cup 2007|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=277616.html#argentina+qualify+rugby+world+cup+2007| accessdate=2007-11-14] Americas 2 was filled in August when Canada defeated the United States 56-7 in Newfoundland.cite web | publisher=rugbyworldcup.com | title=Canada qualifies for RWC 2007|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=277613.html#canada+qualifies+rwc+2007| accessdate=2007-11-14] The United States went on to qualify as Americas 3 after beating Uruguay in a two-legged tie in early October.cite web | publisher=rugbyworldcup.com | title=USA Eagles qualify for 2007 World Cup|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=277594.html#usa+eagles+qualify+2007+world+cup| accessdate=2007-11-14] 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.cite web | publisher=rugbyworldcup.com | title=Italy and Romania qualify for RWC 2007|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=277503.html#italy+romaniaqualify+rwc+2007| accessdate=2007-11-14]

Namibia qualified for their third consecutive World Cup after they earned their spot in France by defeating Morocco over two legs in November.cite web | publisher=rugbyworldcup.com | title=Namibia qualify for Rugby World Cup|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=277517.html#namibia+qualify+forrugby+world+cup| accessdate=2007-11-14] 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.cite web | publisher=lankabusinessonline.com | title=IRB scraps Asian World Cup qualifiers in Sri Lanka|date=2006-10-27|url=http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?newsID=1448295113&no_view=1&SEARCH_TERM=34| accessdate=2006-10-27] Japan won the only Asian allocation after the tournament was moved to Hong Kong.cite web | publisher=rugbyworldcup.com | title=Japan and Georgia qualify|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=277559.html#japan+georgia+qualify| accessdate=2007-11-14] Georgia was 14 points the better of Portugal over two legs to claim the last European place. Tonga qualified through repechage after defeating Korea.cite web | publisher=rugbyworldcup.com | title=Tonga through to RWC 2007 finals|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/EN/RWC+Qualifying/News/070210+dk+tong+kor+rep.htm| accessdate=2007-11-14] 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

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 consisting of 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.cite web |title=Tournament Rules |url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/rules/index.html |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |accessdate=2007-08-14 ]
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.

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:

: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. [ [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/knockout.html rugbyworldcup.com/Fixtures/Knockout Stages.] Retrieved 24 September 2007.] 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.

=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; [cite web |title=New qualifying structure - 2011 |url=http://sport.iafrica.com/rugby/news/849488.htm |publisher=sport.iafrica.com |accessdate=2007-09-09] previously, only the eight quarter-finalists gained an automatic place in the following tournament.

Pool stage

Pool B

Pool C

Pool D

Knockout stage

Round8-with third
October 6 – Stade Vélodrome, Marseille|ru|AUS|10|ru|ENG|12
October 6 – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff|ru|NZL|18|ru|FRA|20
October 7 – Stade Vélodrome, Marseille|ru|RSA|37|ru|FIJ|20
October 7 – Stade de France, St-Denis|ru|ARG|19|ru|SCO|13
October 13 – Stade de France, St-Denis|ru|ENG|14|ru|FRA|9
October 14 – Stade de France, St-Denis|ru|RSA|37|ru|ARG|13
October 20 – Stade de France, St-Denis|ru|ENG|6|ru|RSA|15
October 19 – Parc des Princes, Paris|ru|FRA|10|ru|ARG|34
Consol=Bronze Final

Quarter-finals

rugbybox
date = 2007-10-06
15:00 | home = ru-rt|AUS
score = 10 – 12
report = [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=101/match=10113/report.html#england+through+final+four.html (Report)]
away = ru|ENG
homescore = Try: Tuqiri 33' c
Con: Mortlock (1/1)
Pen: Mortlock (1/4) 6'
awayscore = Pen: Wilkinson (4/7) 22', 25', 51', 59'
stadium = Stade Vélodrome, Marseille | attendance = 59,102
referee = Alain Rolland flagicon|IRE|rugby ----rugbybox
date = 2007-10-06
21:00 | home = ru-rt|NZL
score = 18 – 20
report = [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=101/match=10114/report.html (Report)]
away = ru|FRA
homescore = Tries: McAlister 17' c
So'oialo 63' m
Con: Carter (1/1)
Pen: Carter (2/2) 14', 31'
awayscore = Tries: Dusautoir 54' c
Jauzion 69' c
Con: Beauxis (1/1)
Élissalde (1/1)
Pen: Beauxis (2/3) 40+', 46'
stadium = Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
attendance = 71,669
referee = Wayne Barnes flagicon|ENG ----rugbybox
date = 2007-10-07
15:00
home = ru-rt|RSA
score = 37 – 20
report = [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=101/match=10115/report.html (Report)]
away = ru|FIJ
homescore = Tries: Fourie 13' m
Smit 35' m
Pietersen 51' c
Smith 70' c
James 80' c
Con: Montgomery (3/5)
Pen: Steyn (1/1) 8'
Montgomery (1/2) 63'
awayscore = Tries: Delasau 57' c
Bobo 59' c
Con: Bai (2/2)
Pen: Bai (2/2) 26', 44'
stadium = Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
attendance = 55,943
referee = Alan Lewis flagicon|IRE|rugby ----rugbybox
date = 2007-10-07
21:00 | home = ru-rt|ARG
score = 19 – 13
report = [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=101/match=10116/report.html (Report)]
away = ru|SCO
homescore = Try: Longo Elía 33' c
Con: F. Contepomi (1/1)
Pen: F. Contepomi (3/4) 23', 29', 43'
Drop: Hernández (1/4) 54'
awayscore = Try: Cusiter 63' c
Con: Paterson (1/1)
Pen: Parks (1/2) 16'
Paterson (1/1) 38'
stadium = Stade de France, Saint-Denis
attendance = 76,866
referee = Joël Jutge flagicon|FRA

emi-finals

rugbybox
date = 2007-10-13
21:00
home = ru-rt|ENG
score = 14 – 9
report = [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=104/match=10117/report.html (Report)]
away = ru|FRA
homescore = Try: Lewsey 2' m
Pen: Wilkinson (2/3) 47', 75'
Drop: Wilkinson (1/4) 78'
awayscore = Pen: Beauxis (3/3) 8', 18', 44'
stadium = Stade de France, Saint-Denis
attendance = 80,283
referee = Jonathan Kaplan flagicon|RSA ----rugbybox
date = 2007-10-14
21:00
home = ru-rt|RSA
score = 37 – 13
report = [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=104/match=10118/report.html (Report)]
away = ru|ARG
homescore = Tries: du Preez 7' c
Habana (2) 32' c, 76' c
Rossouw 40' c
Con: Montgomery (4/4)
Pen: Montgomery (3/3) 17', 71', 75'
awayscore = Try: M. Contepomi 45' c
Con: F. Contepomi (1/1)
Pen: F. Contepomi (2/4) 15', 30'
stadium = Stade de France, Saint-Denis
attendance = 77,055
referee = Steve Walsh flagicon|NZL

Bronze final

rugbybox
date = 2007-10-19
21:00
home = ru-rt|FRA
score = 10 – 34
report = [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=104/match=10119/report.html (Report)]
away = ru|ARG
homescore = Try: Poitrenaud 69' c
Con: Beauxis (1/1)
Pen: Élissalde (1/1) 18'
awayscore = Tries: F. Contepomi (2) 28' c, 77' c
Hasan Jalil 32' c
Martín Aramburú 53' m
Corleto 65' m
Con: F. Contepomi (3/5)
Pen: F. Contepomi (1/1) 21'
stadium = Parc des Princes, Paris
attendance = 45,958
referee = Paul Honiss flagicon|NZL

Final

rugbybox
date = 2007-10-20
21:00
home = ru-rt|ENG
score = 6 – 15
report = [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=104/match=10120/report.html (Report)]
away = ru|RSA
homescore = Pen: Wilkinson (2/2) 13', 44'
awayscore = Pen: Montgomery (4/4) 7', 16', 40', 51'
Steyn (1/2) 62'
stadium = Stade de France, Saint-Denis
attendance = 80,430
referee = Alain Rolland flagicon|IRE|rugby

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).cite news |first=Paul |last=Rees |title=Conspiracy theories abound as crunch fixtures approach |url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/rugbyworldcup2007/story/0,,2177589,00.html |publisher=Planet Rugby |accessdate=2007-09-26 ]

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.

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. 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. [cite news |first=Jim |last=Morton |title=Mitchell sidesteps citing bullet |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22437706-5013519,00.html |publisher=Fox Sports |date=2007-09-18 |accessdate=2007-10-03 ]

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

"Source: [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/statistics/season=2007/type=Points/team=0/player=0/statistics/index.html RugbyWorldCup.com] , last updated 20 October."

Top try scorers

Key: Pos = position; Apps = appearances

ee also

* 2007 Rugby World Cup warm-up tests

References

External links

* [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/ France2007] Official website of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
* [http://www.itv.com/Sport/rugbyworldcup/ ITV Rugby World Cup] - Official TV Broadcast website for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
* [http://www.irb.com/ IRB.com] International Rugby Board official site.
* [http://www.planet-rugby.com/Tournaments/World_Cup_2007/index.shtml Planet Rugby] News