Giant rugby ball hosts 2011 Rugby World Cup draw
02 Dec 2008
The pool draw for the 2011 Rugby World Cup has been announced in a fitting venue - Tourism New Zealand's giant inflatable rugby ball beside the Tower of London.
The much-awaited draw made before international team captains and media during a live broadcast on the last day of the rugby ball's London outing produced some interesting results.
Host country New Zealand was drawn alongside France, the team that beat them in the 2007 quarterfinals.
Old rivals England and Scotland were paired alongside one another for the first time in a World Cup pool.
Pools A and B
The All Blacks and France are the two top-ranked teams in Pool A which also features Tonga and still-to-be-determined qualifiers from the Americas and Asia.
England, beaten finalists last year, and Scotland are in the same Pool B as Argentina, third-placed finishers at the 2007 World Cup. As yet unknown qualifiers from Europe and the winners of a global play-off competition will also play in Pool B.
Pools C and D
Reigning champions South Africa are in Pool D featuring Fiji, Six Nations champions Wales and qualifiers from Oceania and Africa.
Australia, who like the Springboks has won the World Cup twice, are in Pool C with Ireland, Italy and qualifiers from Europe and the Americas.
Grand Slam
The All Blacks have just won their British Grand Slam tour beating Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England without conceding a try. If the New Zealanders should top Pool A in the 2011 World Cup, they will face the runners-up from Pool B, potentially the most 'open' of the four qualifying groups.
"I guess there will be a fair bit of talk about the history between New Zealand and France at World Cups," said All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.
"But all the groups are pretty similar and you've got to play them all at some stage. Quarterfinals are tough, as we've found out. Anything can happen in the play-off stages."
The full match schedule for the World Cup will be announced in March.
Rugby World Cup Pool Draw
Pool A: New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1
Pool B: Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, Play-off winner
Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2
Pool D: South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1
Quarter Final 1: Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A
Quarter Final 2: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D
Quarter Final 3: Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B
Quarter Final 4: Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C
Semi-Final 1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
Semi-Final 2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4
Third place playoff: Loser SF1 v Loser SF2
Final: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2
Background information:
The 2011 Rugby World Cup
Fact file: New Zealand's giant rugby ball
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