12/21/24
November 17, 2005
Kiwis win RWC 2011: er, well the right to host it anyway. New Zealand sees off pre-vote favourite Japan and South Africa. Good move by the IRB or an inward looking decision to keep the game in the heartlands?
I think they should have gone to Japan. The game will never grow if they never promote it outside the Tri Nations and the 6 Nations. Japan would have been perfect. Modern stadiums, lots of fans (they have a pretty healthy level of club rugby in Japan, sponsored by huge corporations) and a team that can at least compete with some of the other smaller nations. Where's the 2015 RWC gonna be held? Oh wait, England maybe? They should also let Argentina join the Tri Nations.
posted by afx237vi at 09:16 AM on November 18, 2005
They should also let Argentina join the Tri Nations. As if England and Argentina don't have enough excuses for war already!
posted by billsaysthis at 04:29 PM on November 18, 2005
Ahem. Sorry Bill but the Tri-Nations is Sth Africa, NZ and Australia. England don't play in it as they occasionally like to win matches. (And before you start, Australia doesn't count at the moment so ignore the results of the current European tour. We are secretly rebuilding for RWC 2011. You will also note that the All Blacks timing is perfect as usual - peaking right between the World Cups)
posted by owlhouse at 07:44 PM on November 18, 2005
I'm glad they went with the passion (NZ) and not with the money (Japan). I think Japan's interest in and commitment to rugby has been overblown by the media. Besides, it's just the boost the All Black team needs at the moment *sniggering* Am I the only one hoping that England will just decide to cut their losses and not turn up this afternoon so we can watch the game we all want to see? (NZ vs NZ reserves - undoubtedly the two best teams in the world at the moment) I'm with you though owlhouse, they've done this twice before and they're doing it again - producing an awesome team between world cups that may (or may not) wither and die before the tournament. You'd always rather play a team in decline than a team on the up.
posted by JJ at 05:54 AM on November 19, 2005
Don't know much about rugby, but I do know those are some tough SOB's that play it. Is it anything like Aussie Rules Football? Cause they some crazy dudes, too.