Introduction to the Rugby World Cup The history of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) reflects twenty years of Southern Hemisphere domination in the six RWC tournaments until 2007, and only England breaking the stronghold, winning the 2003 RWC.
Following proposals in the 1950s for the formation of a Rugby World Cup, in the 1980s the idea took formative root, culminating in the inaugural 1987 RWC.
The Rugby World Cup competition has been played every four years since 1987, hosted by a different country on each occasion.
Playing for the Webb Ellis trophy, the competition features 16 nations in four pools with the top two in each pool progressing to knockout rounds.
Typically, each pool contains two top ranked and two lower ranked nations in a round robin format.
This has strengthened lower ranked teams over the years, indicated by Argentina's notable third place finish in the 2007 RWC, and various quarter-final appearances by Samoa and Fiji.
Hosts and Winners 1987-2007 At the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup tournament hosted by New Zealand, they emerged winners, beating France 29-9 in the final.
England hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1991, with matches played in Britain, Ireland and France.
Australia lifted the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time, defeating England 12-6 in the final.
South Africa hosted and unexpectedly won RWC 1995 after humiliating defending champions Australia in the first round, and narrowly defeating New Zealand 15-12 in the final, reconciling a nation recovering from apartheid.
RWC 1995 marked the advent of the professional era for rugby union, forever changing the game.
Wales hosted RWC 1999 which was played throughout the United Kingdom.
Australia claimed their second World Cup victory, the first nation to do so.
Australia then hosted RWC 2003 as defending champions and progressed into the final, where England defeated them in extra time.
France hosted RWC 2007, regarded as the most successful to date, with matches also played in Wales and Scotland.
Following Argentina's surprise defeat of France in the first round and shock exits by Australia and New Zealand in the quarter finals, South Africa became the second nation to lift the Webb Ellis trophy twice, beating England 15-6 in the final.
Following proposals in the 1950s for the formation of a Rugby World Cup, in the 1980s the idea took formative root, culminating in the inaugural 1987 RWC.
The Rugby World Cup competition has been played every four years since 1987, hosted by a different country on each occasion.
Playing for the Webb Ellis trophy, the competition features 16 nations in four pools with the top two in each pool progressing to knockout rounds.
Typically, each pool contains two top ranked and two lower ranked nations in a round robin format.
This has strengthened lower ranked teams over the years, indicated by Argentina's notable third place finish in the 2007 RWC, and various quarter-final appearances by Samoa and Fiji.
Hosts and Winners 1987-2007 At the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup tournament hosted by New Zealand, they emerged winners, beating France 29-9 in the final.
England hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1991, with matches played in Britain, Ireland and France.
Australia lifted the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time, defeating England 12-6 in the final.
South Africa hosted and unexpectedly won RWC 1995 after humiliating defending champions Australia in the first round, and narrowly defeating New Zealand 15-12 in the final, reconciling a nation recovering from apartheid.
RWC 1995 marked the advent of the professional era for rugby union, forever changing the game.
Wales hosted RWC 1999 which was played throughout the United Kingdom.
Australia claimed their second World Cup victory, the first nation to do so.
Australia then hosted RWC 2003 as defending champions and progressed into the final, where England defeated them in extra time.
France hosted RWC 2007, regarded as the most successful to date, with matches also played in Wales and Scotland.
Following Argentina's surprise defeat of France in the first round and shock exits by Australia and New Zealand in the quarter finals, South Africa became the second nation to lift the Webb Ellis trophy twice, beating England 15-6 in the final.
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