Rugby World Cup - Beginners Guide

Beginners Guide

» How many teams are taking part?
The 2007 Rugby World Cup involves 20 teams from six continents. They are divided into four pools of five teams, with two seeded teams in each pool.
» How do teams qualify for the World Cup?
The eight quarter-finalists from the 2003 World Cup qualified automatically for the 2007 tournament. The other 12 teams had to go through regional qualifying.
» Who are the seeded teams?
England, Australia, New Zealand, France, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
» Which teams made it through regional qualifying?
Italy, Romania, Georgia (Europe), Japan (Asia), Fiji, Samoa (Oceania), Namibia (Africa), Canada, USA (America), Portugal, Tonga (repechage).
» How many games does each team play?
Each team will play a minimum four matches. The top two teams from each pool will then go into the knock-out stages, starting with the quarter-finals. The winners of each pool face the runners-up from another pool.
» What happens if there is a draw?
If there is a draw in the pool stages then each team will be awarded two points, as opposed to four points for a win.
» How do teams earn bonus points?
A team will earn one bonus point if they score four or more tries in a game. A team will also earn a bonus point if they lose by seven points or less.
» What happens if two teams in the same pool have the same number of points after the group stage?
Then the team that won the match between the two drawing teams will be positioned higher in the group. If the two teams in question drew their match, then it comes down to who has the best difference between points for and points against.
» What happens if two teams are drawing at the end of normal time in the knock-out stages?
If the scores are level after 80 minutes, then 20 minutes of extra time (10 minutes each way) are played. If the teams are still level, then 10 minutes of sudden-death is played, with the team that scores first going through. If neither team scores, then it comes down to a place-kicking competition, with five players from each team kicking for goal from three different positions on the 22m line.
» Who are the winners of the previous World Cups?
New Zealand won the inaugural event in 1987, followed by Australia in 1991, South Africa in 1995, Australia again in 1999 and England in 2003.
» Who are the favourites?
New Zealand have been the top ranked team in the world for the past few seasons and go into the tournament as firm favourites to win their first World Cup since 1987. However, South Africa and Australia have closed the gap recently, while hosts France and Ireland should also be vying for the semi-finals.
» What about the defending champions, England?
England have failed to maintain the same standards that enabled them to lift the Williams Web Ellis Trophy in Sydney four years ago. Injuries, retirement and a change of coach have seen England’s world ranking drop from first in 2003 to seventh going into the 2007 tournament. However, they have most of their best players fit again and with no pressure of expectation they could surprise a few people in France.
» Who will be the stand-out players in France?
Look out for New Zealand’s star fly-half Dan Carter and openside Richie McCaw, arguably the best players in the world in their positions.

South Africa flanker Schalk Burger is also likely to be one of the tournament’s stars, while Australia’s midfield partnership of Stirling Mortlock and Matt Giteau is arguably the best in the world.

Likewise Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy, who have been the outstanding centre pairing in Europe for the past few years.

James Hook of Wales could also capture a few headlines, especially if he is given the chance to start at fly-half and his forwards manage to secure enough ball. Argentina are a good outside bet and full-back Juan-Martin Hernandez will hope to light up the tournament with his silky skills.

Hosts France will also be looking for strong performances from fit-again Frederic Michalak, who can be either outstanding or dire, as he showed in France’s 2003 semi-final loss to England.

A fit-again Jonny Wilkinson could again be England’s key player, while wing Paul Sackey has developed a try-scoring habit that could see him make a name for himself.