Host Selection
New Zealand co-hosted the first Rugby World Cup with Australia in 1987. Originally set to co-host the 2003 tournament with Australia, a disagreement over ground signage rights resulted in the New Zealand games being dropped and Australia became the sole host. The 2011 New Zealand bid contained plans to enlarge the size of Eden Park and other stadia to help increase the commercial viability of the bid. After winning the bid, the New Zealand Rugby Union, expressed disappointment towards their Australian counterparts who voted against New Zealand hosting the event, due to the misplaced expectation that the "ANZAC spirit" would result in a vote for New Zealand.
Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup, so the necessary infrastructure was already in place. If Japan had been selected, it would have been the first Rugby World Cup hosted in Asia. In 2009, Japan succeeded in its aim to host a Rugby World Cup, when it was awarded the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
South Africa hosted the tournament in 1995. The 2011 South African bid, led by former national captain Francois Pienaar, had strong support from their government.
The IRB Council meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005 announced that New Zealand had been selected after IRB inspections of each applicant host nation during June and July 2005.
Read more about this topic: 2011 Rugby World Cup
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