1999 Rugby World Cup
Steve Evans
would be grateful if we can clarify the position for the next competition
in 1999.
Are there twenty teams to compete ?
Will it be four pools of five teams each ?
Will it be two teams from each pool to proceed to the Q-F ?
There are four qualifiers from RWC '95 - SA, NZ, F and W (that's what we
call planning !). How are the qualifying groups for all the others to be
arranged ? Geographically ??
Does anyone know ? Has it been decided ?? Please advise ??
Do we think uncle Rupert will have an impact on RWC '99 ???
Steve
PMoriarity
be appreciated.
James A. Nicholson
In a previous article, sev...@iinet.net.au (Steve Evans) says:
The following responses are based on what I have read, and not on any
definitive IRFB statement.
>Are there twenty teams to compete ?
Yes.
>Will it be four pools of five teams each ?
No, five pools of four.
>Will it be two teams from each pool to proceed to the Q-F ?
The top two from each pool, plus the best third-place finisher. The 5
seconds and 1 third play off in a preliminary knockout round, and the
three winners join the 5 firsts to make up the 8 QF teams.
>There are four qualifiers from RWC '95 - SA, NZ, F and W (that's what we
>call planning !). How are the qualifying groups for all the others to be
>arranged ? Geographically ??
Presumably so -- I have heard of no changes.
--
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-- Jim Nicholson --
-- bc...@torfree.net --
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David Chamberlain
=Snipped=====
>Do we think uncle Rupert will have an impact on RWC '99 ???
uncle Ruperts influence could come from a number of directions.
The deal for RU in the southern hemisphere and the deals for RL in
both hemispheres will undoubtedly force RU professional.
Interestingly he has just poached the Head of ITV sport to head up his
own sports channels. It was the head of ITV sport that got the
exclusive rights for the World Cup for ITV. Rupert is known to be
keen to pick up the 99 World Cup and this appears to be the first shot
in that campaign.
I have benn impressed with his coverage of cricket and would welcome
him doing similar for Rugby WC after ITVs dismal performance in this
years.
david
aka
qz...@delphi.com
dg...@delphi.com
Daan Claassen
DMC
PMoriarity
ancestral homeland in 1999, how would I go with RWC tickets already in
hand?
NIGEL EVANS
pmori...@aol.com "PMoriarity" writes:
The simple answer is that I do not know. Due to rugby politics,
the 1999 World Cup is , and is not, being held in Wales. In order to win the
vote to hold the 1999 Final, Wales had to bribe other countries. The result
is that the World Cup will not just be held in Wales, but will be spread over
the British Isles. This will have the affect of making it very difficult
for supporters to organise their itineraries , and it will add to the cost.
I don't know precise details, probably noboby does at the moment, but
certainly, both semi finals will be held outside Wales. There is talk of an
increase in the numbers of teams taking part in the finals, and this will
add to the organisational problems. The difficulties will be particularly
apparent at the Group stages. Much will depend on which teams actually
qualify for the tournament, and how the seeding system will work. Clearly
a hypothetical fixture of Ivory Coast v Tonga could be played at a smaller
capacity ground than ,say, a New Zealand v England fixture. However, I'm sure
you get my meaning... tickets can't possibly be made available until actual
Group fixtures are known, and their venues determined. So , unfortunately, it
seems that the ticketing situation will be no better in 1999 than it was in
1995.
If one were lucky enough to be a supporter of the team that will win
the Cup in 1999, it would take a fair measure of luck to determine where your
team would play its games after the Groups had finished. It may be that the
difference between winning a Group and coming second, would place you in a
different country for your next game, not just a different Province.
My advice is to wait and see, but to come anyway. We've plenty of TV
sets and there a few pubs about. Also, if England and Scotland fail to qualify
there'll be plenty of tickets for everybody :)
--
Nigel Evans
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* And he went on,and there was a yellow light,and fire within; and *
* the evening meal was ready, and he was expected.And Rose drew him in, *
* and set him in his chair,and put little Elanor upon his lap. *
* He drew a deep breath."Well,I'm back," he said. * *
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