Rugby World Cup Fast Approaching

There are less than 3 weeks until the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The opening game will be played on September 9. Hosts New Zealand take on Tonga in what should be a bruising encounter, but a likely victory for the All Blacks (New Zealand). The excitement will soon reach fever pitch all over the world, of which Korea will experience its fair share.

There has been a gradual increase in the popularity of the game in Asia, and in Korea in particular. Rugby is increasing in stature with a fast improving national team and a number of domestic rugby clubs. There is of course a large foreign community, and rugby fans, in Korea. Expect the main topic of conversation to revolve around the upcoming World Cup and numerous pubs in Itaewon will without a doubt broadcast the majority of the games.

This is now the 7th edition of the Rugby Union¡¯s pride and joy. The inaugural tournament was held in 1987, hosted by both Australia and New Zealand, and it is contested every four years. The winners are awarded the William Webb Ellis Cup. New Zealand was first to hoist the coveted trophy back in 1987 but have not won it since. South Africa is the current World Champions, having won the 2007 Rugby World Cup final in France with a victory over England, the 2003 World Champions. The hosts for 2015 and 2019 have been announced as England and Japan respectively.

New Zealand enter this year¡¯s tournament as hot favorites yet again, having been the favorites in almost every World Cup thus far. They will however have the added pressure of playing at home and the expectations of a whole nation are resting on their shoulders. The fact that they have only been crowned World Champions once has been a sore point for almost every New Zealander. They have generally cruised through the group stages only to choke in the vital knockout games. Still only a fool would bet against them. Should they wish to be crowned World Champions for the first time in over 20 years then they would undeniably have to face the current World Champion Springboks (South Africa) somewhere along the line. This would unquestionably be a dream final for any rugby fan, but based on current form, these two great rivals would face each other in the semi-final with the winner possibly going on to face the Wallabies (Australia) in the final. The Rugby World Cup, however, has seen many upsets over the years so don¡¯t be surprised to see more of the same come this year¡¯s edition of Rugby¡¯s greatest showpiece.