Who should host the 2011 Rugby World Cup?

[Darren]

The winner will be announced in a just a few days - who do you think should host the 2011 Rugby World Cup?

And the nominees are:
Japan
New Zealand
South Africa

[LarryNJ]

I voted for New Zealand just in case I win some tickets!

[Darren]

Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:04 AM GMT166
Nov 14 (Reuters) - Factbox on Japan's bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup:

FACTBOX-Japan's 2011 World Cup bid

Capital: Tokyo
Population: 127 million
Japan RFU formed: 1926
Registered players: 126,000
Affiliated clubs: 4.050

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RUGBY ORGANISATION

The Japan Rugby Football Union recently established a new semi-professional Top League, won in its inaugural season in 2003-04 by Kobe Kobelco Steelers. Toshiba Brave Lupus clinched the 2004-05 title in a 12-team league with each side sponsored by a company. The leading eight teams in the league also compete in a knockout tournament, the Microsoft Cup.

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BID CONCEPT

Japan's bid is based on the concept of spreading rugby beyond its traditional boundaries and boosting the game throughout Asia.

Organisers recognise it would be a "bold decision" to award the tournament to Japan but that such a move would represent a new and exciting chapter in the tournament's history.

Nine stadiums, four newly-built for the 2002 soccer World Cup, are already in place while the transport and infrastructure -- together with lessons learned from the 2002 soccer event -- mean there are no questions over the practical side of the bid.

DISADVANTAGES

Lack of a traditional rugby base has opponents questioning whether the tournament would gain any widespread support in Japan and could lead to many empty seats for the lesser games.

Japan's poor performances in previous tournaments -- they have failed to reach the quarter-finals in any of the five to date -- could mean a drop in interest once they go out.

High tourism costs and a time zone not well-suited to the lucrative European market are also negatives.

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MAIN STADIUMS

The bid is based on nine stadiums, mot of them built or upgraded for the 2002 soccer World Cup. These include:

Yokohama: The Nissan Stadium, venue for the 2002 soccer World Cup final, seats more than 70,000 and is 25 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train.

Scheduled to host 2011 rugby World Cup final.

Niigata: Holds 42,700 with 90 percent of seats covered by a translucent roof. Two hours from Tokyo by bullet train.

Osaka: The Nagai Stadium Holds 49,500 and boasts a giant 25xnine-metre video screen at one end of the ground. Three hours from Tokyo by bullet train.

Kobe: Kobe Wing Stadium holds 42,000 and is 15 minutes from Osaka by bullet train.

Oita: The southernmost venue in Japan, Oita Big Eye Stadium holds 43,300 and features a retractable roof.

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PREVIOUS TOURNAMENTS

Japan has never hosted a rugby World Cup but did co-host the 2002 soccer World Cup with South Korea and has also staged numerous major regional and international events in other sports.

Japan have played in all five previous World Cups but have never progressed beyond the group stage. They have won only one Cup match, beating Zimbabwe 52-8 in 1991.

Their worst performance was a record 145-17 defeat by New Zealand in 1995.

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Source: http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/news...-10_SP336614:1

I am impressed that they even scored against the All Blacks!

[LarryNJ]

Their worst performance was a record 145-17 defeat by New Zealand in 1995.

Jones said: "Out of this, we'll get some good. It's hard to see at the moment, but we will.

[Darren]

__________

[Chief]

I think it would be good to see the World Cup hosted by Japan. It would help to further develop the game across Asia.

[no.8]

西部力は行く

日本ラグビーのワールドカップ2011 年

[Darren]

Any news yet? Who got it?? Google is showing up nothing, and haven't seen anything else on the wire yet...

[no.8]

I don't know, ask one of these bloke's
Africa: Abdelaziz Bougia.
Argentina: Carlos Tozzi.
Asia: Jamie Scott.
Australia: Dilip Kumar and Gary Flowers.
England: Bill Beaumont and Jonothan Dance.
Ireland: Noel Murhy and Peter Boyle.
Europe: Jose-Mariz Epalza.
France: Bernard Lapasset and Jacques Laurans.
Italy: Giancarlo Dondi.
Japan: Megumi Horikoshi.
Canada: Chris Lefevre.
New Zealand: Jock Hobbs and Chris Muller.
Oceania: Harry Schuster.
Scotland: Bill Nolan and Fred McLeod.
South Africa: Brian van Rooyen and Johan Prinsloo.
Wales: Devid Pickering and Ken Hewitt.

They are going to do the voting at 4pm GMT (12pm WAST)!

[Darren]

well there ya go - New Zealand ....

At least it will be easier to get to than France 2007!