1991 Rugby World Cup - Pools & Format

Pools & Format

Pool 1 Pool 2 Pool 3 Pool 4

New Zealand
England
Italy
United States

Scotland
Ireland
Japan
Zimbabwe

Australia
Wales
Western Samoa
Argentina

France
Fiji
Canada
Romania

As in the 1987 Rugby World Cup the 16 nations were divided into four pools of four nations, with each nation playing their other pool opponents once, every nation playing three times during the group stages. Nations were awarded 2 points for a win, 1 for a draw and zero for a loss, the top two nations of every pool advanced to the quarter finals. The runners-up of each pool faced the winners of a different pool in the quarter finals. The winners moved on to the semi finals, with the winners then moving onto the final, and the losers of the semi finals contesting a third/fourth place play off.

  • Pool 1 was played in England
  • Pool 2 was played in both Scotland & Ireland with matches played in both Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland
  • Pool 3 was played in Wales
  • Pool 4 was played in France

Points System

The points system that was used in the pool stage was which was changed from 1987 was as follows:

  • 3 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 1 point for playing

A total of 32 matches (24 Pool Stage & 8 Knock-out) were played throughout the tournament over 30 days from Thursday 3 October 1991 to Saturday 2 November 1991.

Read more about this topic:  1991 Rugby World Cup

Famous quotes containing the word pools:

    There will be better days when I am gone
    And healing pools where I cannot be healed.
    Fragrant stars will gleam forever and ever
    Above the place where I lie desolate.
    Arna Bontemps (1902–1973)