Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup is the premier rugby union tournament.  It is held every four years.  New Zealand won the 2011 Rugby World Cup on home soil.  The Rugby World Cup has been won by four teams in its history: New Zealand 1987 and 2011, Australia in 1991 and 1999, South Africa in 1995 and 2007, and England in 2003.  The 2015 Rugby World Cup will be hosted by England and Japan will host the 2019 tournament.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011
    All Blacks' Donald in dreamland

    All Blacks' Donald in dreamland

    Unlikely hero Stephen Donald has started taking stock of his World Cup final-winning exploits, and admitted: "It is an unreal experience."

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011

    Henry: All Blacks' resolve key

    All Black coach Graham Henry said his team's grit and discipline were the reasons why they were able to end New Zealand's 24 years of World Cup heartache in Auckland on Sunday.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011

    World Cup Final in pictures

    New Zealand ended a 24-year World Cup drought when they edged France 8-7 in an epic Final in Auckland on Sunday.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011
    Lievremont proud of Les Bleus

    Lievremont proud of Les Bleus

    Marc Lievremont admitted he could not have asked for any more from his players after they almost destroyed New Zealand's World Cup dream.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011
    McCaw salutes All Blacks victory

    McCaw salutes All Blacks victory

    Captain Richie McCaw hailed New Zealand's courage after they ended 24 years of hurt by winning the closest final in World Cup history.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011

    Lievremont can leave with pride intact

    Marc Lievremont's last match in charge of France ended with a narrow 8-7 defeat to New Zealand in a gripping World Cup final which ensured the beleaguered coach can leave international rugby with his pride intact.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011

    NZ erupts into nationwide party

    New Zealand erupted with a nationwide celebration Sunday as the All Blacks ended 24 years of hurt by the narrowest of margins with their 8-7 win over France to claim the World Cup.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011

    France short one last stroke of luck

    France were left cursing the absence of a stroke or two of good fortune after losing 8-7 to New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final here on Sunday.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011

    'Shagged' McCaw hails AB heroes

    All Blacks captain Richie McCaw hailed the country's new heroes, after New Zealand ended 24 years of misery when they edged France 8-7 to win the World Cup for a second time in Auckland on Sunday.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011

    Player ratings: Arise Sir Richie!

    New Zealanders will celebrate long and hard, after 24 years of World Cup heartache ended in Auckland on Sunday.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011

    Donald the unlikely hero?

    New Zealand found an unlikely hero in flyhalf Stephen Donald in their gripping 8-7 World Cup final win over France at Eden Park on Sunday.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011
    McCaw hails World Cup triumph

    McCaw hails World Cup triumph

    Richie McCaw spoke of his pride after New Zealand ended their 24-year wait to regain the World Cup with a hard-fought 8-7 victory over France.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011

    Player ratings: Close but no cigar

    Finally the French turned up at the World Cup just in time for the final where they ran hosts New Zealand ever so close, going down 8-7 at Eden Park in Auckland.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011
    All Blacks earn World Cup glory

    All Blacks earn World Cup glory

    New Zealand ended 24 years of hurt by being crowned world champions with an 8-7 victory over battling France at Eden Park on Sunday.

  • Sunday, 23. October, 2011

    All Blacks end 24-year drought

    New Zealand ended a 24-year World Cup drought when they edged France 8-7 in an epic Final in Auckland on Sunday.