2011 Rugby World Cup Guide

The 2011 Rugby World Cup will be the 7th rendition of rugby’s most prestigious tournament. Currently ranked as the second biggest team sports tournament in the world, the Rugby World Cup has converted millions of fans to the game, and is followed by sports fans around the planet.

Twenty national teams compete in the Rugby World Cup every four years, with dozens more competing in a variety of regional qualifying tournaments. The event is one of the only rugby tournaments to give smaller rugby playing nations an opportunity to take on the big guns of international rugby.

The 2011 Rugby World Cup will kick off on September 10, 2011. The tournament will run for 6 weeks, beginning with a group stage, before the surviving teams contest the knockout rounds of the tournament. The final of the 2011 World Cup will be played on the 22nd of October at Eden Park in Auckland.

Rugby World Cup Odds Comparison

New Zealand

In 2011 New Zealand will be the sole host of the Rugby World Cup for the first time in its history. The game is a religion in New Zealand, and fans can look forward to packed stadiums for every Rugby World Cup match. While New Zealand has failed to prosper at Rugby World Cup tournaments held in the Northern Hemisphere, many believe that the All Blacks will be unbeatable playing in front of their home crowds.

Rugby World Cup Qualification

National teams that finished amongst the top three within their respective groups at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, qualify automatically for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Five contestants will qualify for the tournament by winning one of five regional championships.

Rugby World Cup Winners

Four teams have lifted the Rugby World Cup in six tournaments. New Zealand, statistically the most successful rugby union in the world, has won the event once while South Africa and Australia have both captured two titles apiece. England is the only Northern Hemisphere team to have won the Rugby World Cup. France has been a losing finalist on two occasions.

2011 Rugby World Cup Betting

Rugby is one of the most exciting sports to bet on, with the United Kingdom’s top sportsbooks opening up to 25 different rugby betting markets for every Rugby World Cup match. Top sportsbooks like Paddy Power and William Hill offer money-back specials on key Rugby World Cup matches, while ante-post betting is available throughout the 4 year period leading up to the tournament.