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/ 7 December 2007
Outgoing International Rugby Board (IRB) chairperson Syd Millar believes foreign invasions will have a damaging effect on European domestic rugby. Several World Cup stars — including All Blacks Chris Jack, Aaron Mauger, Carl Hayman and Luke McAlister, plus Springbok flyhalf Butch James — have arrived in the Premiership.
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/ 30 November 2007
The 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand will remain a 20-team competition, the International Rugby Board (IRB) announced on Friday. Before this year’s World Cup, where South Africa beat England in October’s final in Paris, plans for a reduction from 20 teams to 16 were being considered because of the numerous mismatches that had taken place in the previous five editions.
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/ 24 October 2007
Former Wallabies coach and Springbok consultant Eddie Jones on Wednesday dismissed calls for changes to rugby union’s rules after a drab World Cup final that featured no tries. Jones, who helped South Africa to their win in Paris, said the demand for change was ”Australia-centric” as the calls in that country have grown since the Wallabies’ defeat by a defensive England side.
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/ 21 October 2007
France’s first hosting of rugby’s World Cup will leave mixed emotions on the home front. The six-week long tournament was superbly organised, the grounds were packed, and there was colour and drama aplenty. But the script that had the French hosts taking on the mighty All Blacks in the final in Paris failed to materialise.
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/ 12 October 2007
Spectators at this Rugby World Cup have had the privilege of ringside seats at a revolution. If there is one overarching conclusion to be drawn from the emergence of Argentina and the Pacific Islanders into major powers it is that the shape of international rugby between the quadrennial tournaments cannot stay the same.
A Rugby World Cup featuring upset results pleases many, but not the International Rugby Board (IRB). The IRB likes to hide behind the profitability of the Rugby World Cup, stating that the funds raised from it go towards helping to grow the game globally. What they don’t like to see is any sign of the boat rocking.
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/ 6 September 2007
Former South African president Nelson Mandela met the Springboks in Paris on Thursday, his office announced. ”Mr Mandela wished the Springboks well after receiving a Springbok jersey from the team,” said Mandela’s spokesperson, Zelda la Grange, in a statement.
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/ 6 September 2007
Leading international news agencies on Thursday launched a boycott of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, plunging the event into controversy on the eve of its opening game. Agence France-Presse (AFP), Reuters, the Associated Press, Getty Pictures and the German agency, dpa, said no text, photo or video news on the World Cup would be sent for 24 hours.