Rugby World Cup Awarded to New Zealand

[therisingblues]

What do people think of the decision to award another World Cup to Rugby's biggest cultural strong hold, as opposed to spreading the game in Asia, and rewarding a very impressive bid from Japan?

[MagicKiwi]

Not sure. I would've supported the Japanese bid myself. You could see how clearly disappointed they were in losing. However, they'll get it for 2015 for sure. Each country votes but they're not releasing those votes for public scrutiny for some reason.

As Union enthusiasts, Mr MK and myself are delighted because we can go to more games. As far as the bigger picture is concerned, Japan should've got it. The only other country in the running was South Africa and they only had it two RWCs ago. The Kiwis going to have to build some infrastructure to support the influx.

Still would like to see those votes though.

[therisingblues]

Yes they were very disappointed MK. With all the stadiums that were built for the Soccer World Cup and all the services and infrastructure that already exists here, Japan is ready right now to host a Rugby World Cup.
I think that the Japan Rugby Association was relying on hosting the Cup to help develop the game in Japan, and use it as a spring board to further development in other parts of Asia. While the game has only a mediocre supporter base here at the moment, that was sure to increase if they got to host the Cup. Japan is a country that really takes to exposure of an event, and they love events with prestige. During the last World Cup in Australia, many Japanese that usually don't follow the game were well aware of how their country was performing.
The game of Soccer in Japan was transformed by the last World Cup, and I was a witness to several thousands of people packed into a concert hall in the city of Beppu, (population of 100,000) to watch the latter stages of Japan's involvement live on a big screen as suddenly, people from all walks of life were united by their team's fortunes in a game that held at best medium level interest before they became World Cup hosts. Not only that, but the warmth with which the Japanese embraced the visiting teams was most incredible, with host towns actually adopting those teams as part of their communities and supporting them during the Cup.
I don't think the rugby community really understands the opportunity that they have overlooked here.

[Magpiespower]

What a schemozzle - Japan should have been a no-brainer.

Wonder how many tests the All-Blacks play in Ireland in the next few years?

[MagicKiwi]

It appears that when South Africa was eliminated in the first round of voting, they gave their two votes to New Zealand. Rugby powerhouse countries all get two votes while the lesser lights get one each. Would love to know if those two votes were the sealer.

I guess a lot of the worlds rugby administrations decided to play it safe. I'm still heartened to see that this is becoming a most wanted event on the sport calendar as far as hosting goes.

[therisingblues]

Yes, I think it was very close Magic Kiwi. I would say that the two votes by South Africa were have been the sealer.
I wonder if part of the overall backing for the New Zealand bid came because they were compensating the Kiwis for being stripped of the hosting rights at the last World Cup?

[Magpiespower]

It appears that when South Africa was eliminated in the first round of voting, they gave their two votes to New Zealand. Rugby powerhouse countries all get two votes while the lesser lights get one each. Would love to know if those two votes were the sealer.

Ireland promised their two votes to South Africa in the first round, but reneged, leaving the voting at the end of the first round as...

8 - New Zealand
7 - Japan
4 - South Africa

Had the Irish not done the dirty on the Springboks, it would have looked like this...

7 - Japan
6 - New Zealand and South Africa

Thus, there would have been a vote-off between New Zealand and South Africa to see who got through to the second round.

FWIW, Wales and Scotland also voted for New Zealand.

[MagicKiwi]

Good work MP. I looked a bit on the internet for some info but not too hard. Mainly speculation. I thought they were going to keep it secret for some idiotic reason. But now seeing what the Irish have done, maybe that's it. I'm glad this has come out and not some payback for RWC 2003 rumour.

Well that's very interesting. Wales I'm not surprised at by the way as there's an afinity that goes way back between the two countries (hence me flying to Sydney to watch the All Blacks Vs Wales during the last RWC). But Scotland?

[therisingblues]

That makes it pretty clear who voted for who. I haven't read anything in the papers, so my suggestion about a 2003 World Cup payback was my own. But if New Zealand did host the last World Cup, then they certainly wouldn't have been awarded it this time, and the fact that they were actually stripped of the rights could provoke sentiment in some quarters. Doesn't make any difference because they already have it now. Personally I think the decision was the wrong one, I'd like to know the reasoning that went into that decision.

[Magpiespower]

I'd like to know the reasoning that went into that decision.

I can just see the Irish, Scots, and Welsh counting their pounds (or is it euro's?) now.

[RustyCage]

Am I right in saying the kiwis were going to have some games when we had the WC but lost them due to sponsorship issues at the venues? You'd hope thats been sorted out now.

[Magpiespower]

Am I right in saying the kiwis were going to have some games when we had the WC but lost them due to sponsorship issues at the venues? You'd hope thats been sorted out now.

They actually had the rights to the World Cup (maybe joint rights, can't remember) but lost them when they wouldn't go with the 'clean' stadia.