Rugby is a very popular sport throughout the world, and is played within all of the countries of the old British Empire and Commonwealth. The best countries are those that reside in the southern hemisphere such as New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. In addition to this certain British countries such as England, Ireland, and Wales, as well as France are consistently competing at the highest level. Every four years there is a Rugby World Cup is held in order to find out which is the best team in the world.
The first of these tournaments was held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987. The inaugural tournament was won by the dominant team New Zealand in a final against France where the margin of victory was 29 points to 9.
Four years later the Rugby world cup came to Europe and was hosted by Great Britain throughout different stadiums in England, Ireland, and also France across the pond. For this tournament, a qualifying tournament was used to decide the final lineup of the 32 teams that were to compete. Four years ago it had been an invite only tournament, but now some of the lesser-known countries had to go through qualifying periods in order to make sure they got into the tournament.
On this occasion in 1991, the cup was won by Australia, keeping the heritage of rugby are firmly set down in the southern hemisphere. The hosts England were beaten at home by 12 points to 6 at the home of rugby at Twickenham.
Four years later in 1995 the tournament was first set up in South Africa. This was a very grand moment in the history of rugby as South Africa were allowed to compete in the first time due to the end of apartheid and the boycott against them on the world sporting scene.
South Africa were relatively un-fancied as a team to win the tournament, but they had some great sporting players in the team. However with a fantastic home crowd behind them, they rose up through the tournament and managed to get the final against the powerhouse of world rugby New Zealand. In a thrilling encounter they managed to overturn New Zealand by a small margin of just three points and became the champions of rugby the first time at their first attempt.
In 1999 the World Cup was hosted primarily by Wales at matches were also played throughout the countries of the five Nations. At this World Cup one of the biggest upsets in the history of the game took place as one of the home European Nations France defeated the all Blacks by a relatively heavy margin in the final. However they were to be overturned by Australia in the final by 35 points to 12 in a fairly one-sided affair.
By 2003, the dominant team in world rugby had for the first time changed from being New Zealand and other teams from the southern hemisphere and the first time England were the team to beat at the tournament. With the great Johnny will concern at number 10 and his trusty left boot in order, England were favourites to overturn New Zealand if they were to meet them. However this was not necessary, as Australia turned up and managed to defeat New Zealand on home turf, meeting England in the final in the greatest ever be much played. True to form, they will concern provided the finishing touch to a magnificent effort by the England team.
In 2007 in France, England against all the odds manage to get to the final for a second time running and a third time in total. However they were defeated in a close game by South Africa who managed to lift the trophy for a second time in four attempts. In 2011 the World Cup will be set in New Zealand? Will it the most powerful team in the world finally be able to win it again? - 31493
The first of these tournaments was held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987. The inaugural tournament was won by the dominant team New Zealand in a final against France where the margin of victory was 29 points to 9.
Four years later the Rugby world cup came to Europe and was hosted by Great Britain throughout different stadiums in England, Ireland, and also France across the pond. For this tournament, a qualifying tournament was used to decide the final lineup of the 32 teams that were to compete. Four years ago it had been an invite only tournament, but now some of the lesser-known countries had to go through qualifying periods in order to make sure they got into the tournament.
On this occasion in 1991, the cup was won by Australia, keeping the heritage of rugby are firmly set down in the southern hemisphere. The hosts England were beaten at home by 12 points to 6 at the home of rugby at Twickenham.
Four years later in 1995 the tournament was first set up in South Africa. This was a very grand moment in the history of rugby as South Africa were allowed to compete in the first time due to the end of apartheid and the boycott against them on the world sporting scene.
South Africa were relatively un-fancied as a team to win the tournament, but they had some great sporting players in the team. However with a fantastic home crowd behind them, they rose up through the tournament and managed to get the final against the powerhouse of world rugby New Zealand. In a thrilling encounter they managed to overturn New Zealand by a small margin of just three points and became the champions of rugby the first time at their first attempt.
In 1999 the World Cup was hosted primarily by Wales at matches were also played throughout the countries of the five Nations. At this World Cup one of the biggest upsets in the history of the game took place as one of the home European Nations France defeated the all Blacks by a relatively heavy margin in the final. However they were to be overturned by Australia in the final by 35 points to 12 in a fairly one-sided affair.
By 2003, the dominant team in world rugby had for the first time changed from being New Zealand and other teams from the southern hemisphere and the first time England were the team to beat at the tournament. With the great Johnny will concern at number 10 and his trusty left boot in order, England were favourites to overturn New Zealand if they were to meet them. However this was not necessary, as Australia turned up and managed to defeat New Zealand on home turf, meeting England in the final in the greatest ever be much played. True to form, they will concern provided the finishing touch to a magnificent effort by the England team.
In 2007 in France, England against all the odds manage to get to the final for a second time running and a third time in total. However they were defeated in a close game by South Africa who managed to lift the trophy for a second time in four attempts. In 2011 the World Cup will be set in New Zealand? Will it the most powerful team in the world finally be able to win it again? - 31493
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