Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
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and the amazing ‘No Side’ volunteers who all played
their full part in ensuring Rugby World Cup 2019 will
live long in the memory. Japan 2019 has broken records
galore and has changed the face of rugby forever.”
Rugby World Cup 2019 Organising Committee CEO
Akira Shimazu added: “The incredible action on the field
and the amazing response from fans here in Japan and
around the world have made the 44 days of competition
pass in the blink of an eye. I want to express my deepest
gratitude to the players who made the tournament truly
special. With their on-field heroics and desire to embrace
being in Japan, they have shown the very best attributes
of rugby and in doing so, captured the hearts and minds
of the host nation.
“Thanks also to all the fans. Your support, energy
and enthusiasm has been truly wonderful and like the
players, have shown the Japanese public why the global
Rugby World Cup
T
he first Rugby World Cup in Asia draws to a close with South
Africa crowned champions and a multitude of records broken in
the most impactful and ground-breaking Rugby World Cup in history.
With a record 99.3 per cent attendance across the
tournament resulting in 1.84 million tickets sold, in
addition to more than 1.13 million people filling the
official fanzones and over 400,000 international visitors
enjoying the incredible hospitality of hosts Japan, Rugby
World Cup once again took its place at the top table of
global sporting events.
Japan 2019 also smashed records for fan engagement
around the globe with an incredible 1.7 billion digital
video views and an estimated worldwide broadcast
audience of 400 million, including a domestic all-
time record television audience of 54.8 million for the
unforgettable Japan v Scotland pool phase match.
World Rugby and the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising
Committee can look back on an incredible six weeks
of action that saw competitiveness again increase on
the field of play with the outstanding performances
of Japan’s Brave Blossoms and admirable efforts from
the likes of Uruguay, Georgia, Namibia and Tonga
contributing to a decrease in the average winning
margin between established and developing nations,
and demonstrating that the future of international rugby
is increasingly competitive.
Off the pitch Japan 2019 has proved to be the most
impactful in history with more than 1.8 million new
rugby participants across Asia as part of World Rugby’s
Impact Beyond legacy programme, while the generosity
of the global rugby family has seen a record breaking £2
million raised for the ChildFund Pass It Back initiative,
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Rugby World Cup’s principal charity partner, benefitting
over 25,000 underprivileged young people in Asia via
rugby and life skills programmes.
With a record 437 billion Yen economic impact
delivered for Japan, the Rugby World Cup has not only
shone a spotlight on rugby in Asia but contributed
significantly to business and commercial communities.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said:
“Rugby World Cup 2019 has been one of the greatest,
if not the greatest of all time, and certainly the most
ground-breaking in terms of bringing the game to new
audiences and attracting new fans to the sport we love.
“On behalf of the whole global rugby family, I would
like to thank from the bottom of our hearts Japan and the
Japanese people for being such wonderful, humble and
history making hosts.
“While South Africa will rightly take home the
Webb Ellis Cup following their outstanding victory,
the amazing performances of the Brave Blossoms
undoubtably brought some of the most memorable
moments of the tournament.
“The way Japan reacted to the incredibly difficult
events surrounding Typhoon Hagibis was a tribute to
the resilience and determination of the people of this
wonderful country and we continue to think about all
those who lost loved ones or were affected by this tragic
event.
“Finally, I would like to thank all twenty teams, the
players, match officials, organising committee, host cities
England
England can certainly be proud of their efforts in this
World Cup and while they would have liked to come
away with the trophy, particularly after their efforts in
the semi-final it wasn’t to be. Although many expected
them to beat South Africa their opponents raised their
game in the final and credit should go to the Springboks
when analysing why they were not able to do so.
This is still a relatively young squad with a good
chance that many of the key players will still be around
in four years time. They have come a long way in Eddie
Jones’ four years in charge so as long as they can turn
their defeat in the final into a positive learning experience
and perhaps improve their scrummaging so it can stand
up to the very best in the game the team should be able
to continue to progress over the next four years. An
exciting prospect for a World Cup finalist.
Ireland
The mood around the Ireland team at the moment is
not perhaps as positive as it should be. Their performance
in this World Cup was around par for where they should
be and losing to the vibrant hosts and New Zealand is no
disgrace.
The disappointment undoubtedly comes from the
fact that not so long ago they were considered genuine
contenders but unfortunately for them they were not
able to maintain the standards set in 2018. They can be
proud of their efforts over the four years as many people
expected them to struggle when certain key individuals
moved on after the last World Cup and if they can
unearth one or two top quality first up ball carriers in the
near future then there is plenty for them to be positive
about.
rugby family is such a special, unique and integral part
of this great game.
“I would also like to thank World Rugby for their
partnership in running this tournament. We have worked
together in a positive and proactive way, ensuring that
the tournament was a major success.”
Some of the records broken at the Rugby World Cup
• Record 99.3 per cent attendance with 1.84 million
tickets sold
• Record 54.8 million television audience for Japan
v Scotland (Japan team involved in top 5 biggest ever
television audiences)
• Record competitiveness with 30.5 average winning
margin between Tier 1 and Tier 2
• Record attendance of 70,103 spectators at Yokohama
International Stadium for the final
Scotland
Scotland have come close to being a very good team
for quite some time now but at this World Cup it was a
case of failing to reach that level. The team has plenty of
attacking flair but on too few occasions has this led to the
results they need to achieve.
Their highpoint of the last four years was a
barnstorming victory over the English when that flair
was matched by their aggression and high intensity that
has not been seen since. Their attacking skills are there
for all to see but the attributes of intensity and aggression
are those that need to be seen with more regularity if this
side is to fulfil its potential despite their disappointing
tournament.
Wales
Wales under Warren Gatland have generally been
a very consistent side and their performance in the Six
Nations set them up well coming into the World Cup.
Winning their group with an impressive victory over
Australia meant that they had what could be seen as
an easier tie against France in the quarter-finals and the
potential to make a major impact on the knockout stages.
They made hard work of that fixture and were unable
to raise their game against South Africa where they were
defeated. However, reaching the semi-finals in itself is
an impressive achievement and they have established
themselves as one of the top three or four sides in the
world which should not be underestimated. For Wales,
the success that they’ve achieved under Gatland may
be appreciated more now that he is no longer there
depending on how future results go.
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