New Zealand recently hosted delegates from the two future hosts of Rugby World Cup, England 2015 and Japan 2019….
July 28, 2009 was an historic day for world Rugby. For the first time the International Rugby Board awarded two Rugby World Cup Tournaments at the same time and also selected a developing Rugby nation to host Rugby's pinnacle event for the first time.
Continuing the new steps taken in the organisation and hosting of Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) is using the opportunity provided by having two future hosts in place to host a pre-Tournament briefing for future hosts for the first time, focusing on the lessons from previous Tournaments and those learnt already from the RWC 2011 journey.
The countries hosting the two Tournaments following RWC 2011 offer very different stages for Rugby World Cup. England's rich Rugby history, fantastic infrastructure and commercial strength promises a spectacular RWC 2015 that will engross fans, old and new. Japan was selected as RWC 2019 host to grow the global Game. With nine years to go, the Japanese Rugby Union has ambitious plans to deliver a unique and exciting RWC that will ignite the growth of Rugby in Asia and stimulate fans worldwide.
RWC 2015, England - Iconic venues in Britain's decade of sport
As the dust settles on the RWC 2011 Final at Eden Park, the Rugby world will shift itsfocus to the next global Rugby spectacle in England in 2015. The Tournament will follow the Women's Rugby World Cup to be held this year, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Britain's Decade of Sport which will also include the 2019 Cricket World Cup and (perhaps!) a 2018 FIFA World Cup also.
Just as New Zealand knows that on September 9 the stage must be ready to deliver Rugby's biggest event, England's Rugby Football Union knows that on October 24 next year it will accept the mantle from New Zealand as the next host. In the meantime it is taking the first steps to establish its organising committee and confirm its key venues, which will include iconic stadia such as Twickenham, Wembley and Emirates Stadium.
RWC 2019, Japan - Growing the Game in the world's most populous region
Rugby World Cup not only celebrates the spirit of Rugby but also the diversity of cultures it brings together from all over the world. For the first time in the history of the Tournament, Rugby World Cup will experience an Asian infusion when it is hosted by Japan in 2019.
Japan currently has over 120,000 registered Rugby players, the six largest playing numbers of any country and has the highest number of clubs of any country in the world. Although the playing numbers in Japan are high, Asia as a region has 60% of the world's population but only 12% of the world's Rugby players. A successful Tournament has the opportunity to excite and engage a new wave of players and fans.
RWC 2019 will see Rugby played on a number of globally recognised venues, with the semi-finals and the Final scheduled to take place in the Yokohama stadium which hosted the FIFA 2002 World Cup Final (when Brazil beat Germany 2-0).