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Japan not even recognised as rugby nation!!!
"); document.write("How is this possible - they are not even recognised as rugby nation - !!!!. Gatiep"); document.write("
Gatiep...!
"); document.write("Shows what a moron you are living in your little \"vrystaat\" cocoon! I am a South African living in Japan (do you even know where Japan is?? I doubt it) and for your narrow-minded information, Japan are the current Asian Champions in rugby. \"so wat??\" I hear you crow?? Have you ever thought that this fine country, with almost ZERO crime (unlike some countries I know...) and infrastructure which is awesome (something which you, with your \"Shilowa Xpress\", cannot even begin to imagine) would put on a fantastic RWC, similar to the Soccer World Cup a few years ago?? To spread the game worldwide it is imperative that Japan be awarded the RWC - in fact they should get given 2015 instead of 2019! Find out some real facts before making brainless and idiotic comments! Ooooohhh.......Gatiepie en Maraiiiii!!! :)!!. ZV"); document.write("
ZV
"); document.write("Well said...Japan should be recommended for 2015!!. H"); document.write("
Biased preference for European bids!
"); document.write("Japan I support but England???
The UK has already staged the RWC in England (91) and Wales (99), please not again!!! Plus if we count France in 2007, there defintely seems to be a preference for EU countries! . Crushed Empire"); document.write("
@ Crushed Empire
"); document.write("If you count all the world cups up to 2007, it's actually 50:50 between north and south, in fact coming into 2015, south will have had 4 vs the north's 3.

87 - New Zealand
91 - England
95 - South Africa
99 - Wales
03 - Australia
07 - France
11 - New Zealand
15 - England
19 - Japan

Looks fairly well split to me.. Paulie"); document.write("
for ZV
"); document.write("i think that before you go on raving about how wonderful Japan as a eutopic crime free location blah blah blah perhaps you should consider the where the majority of rugby is watched and then consider whether how time zones will affect viewership. not too sure how the sponsors will want to get behind that ! sweet dreams Japan . R Mann"); document.write("
Satisfactory but not ideal
"); document.write("Fact: 2015 was always going to be recommended to Europe after 2011 in New Zealand.

Fact: The loss of money from hosting a RWC in New Zealand means Japan is overlooked as it is considered a risk.

Fact: Time zones are crucial, which is why 2015 is a must for Europe. 2015 is the time to go aoutside of this. England getting the green light all but tells Italy that they are close and will likely host in 2023 unless another European offer can match them (unlikely)

Fact: South Africa are, indeed, the worst of the 4 options. This is not opinion, it is fact. The countries infreastructure is the major factor in this. Fifa are currently rewritting te allocation of pool matches to suit this as its very, very difficult for tourists to get around in the country. Italy, Japan and Englnad have no such concerns. South Africa being the most recent host goes against them too as does the 2010 Soccer World Cup which is probably too much for the country in such a short period of time. The other factor against RSA is NZ 2011. 2 World Cupīs in a row in SANZAR countires is not ever going to happen, 2 out of three is the maxmium possibility and Australia 2003 / New Zealand 2011 has closed the door on RSA.. Paul"); document.write("
World cup in Wales
"); document.write("If England host will Wales get a group again?. Kevin, Meath"); document.write("
If I could only chose lotto numbers as well..
"); document.write("I wont say I told you so, so I'll let the RWCL do it for me. I was hoping someone at the IRB or RWCL would have seen my article, but as is the norm, all they saw was dollar signs instead of promoting the game of rugby. Italy would have been a great location for 2015, but it still boils down to who you know and who you blow...kisses to.
Japan was a great choice. But 1 out of 2 still doesnt make it right.. David Cantu"); document.write("
@R Mann
"); document.write("Soz Bru but I remember living in Zim during the 2003 World Cup in Oz and I still managed to watch a HELL of a lot of the tournament. If you are going to complain about time difference then start whinging about the next tournament in NZ, you delinquent twit.. Lowrie"); document.write("
RWC 2015
"); document.write("The only reason England will get the RWC is becuase it will make the most money and a large proportion of Rugby support is in Europe. Rugby authorities understand that the NZ RWC will make a loss, so RWC in England will offset any losses made by the NZ RWC. I don't support the idea and I'm English. I support a RWC in country who yet to host it and to widen rugby as a whole, say Argentina.. monty"); document.write("
To: R. Mann:
"); document.write("Hoo boy! I can't believe you \"mann\"! :)!! So if it was up to you, all tournaments should stay with the \"elite powers\" i.e: South Africa, NZ, Aus, England, France, etc?? To hell with trying to make this wonderful game of Rugby a true WORLD sport - let's keep \"our game\" in our little family and stuff the rest of them?? Dude, I can only thank God that you're not an IRB member because then heaven help this fine game! Have you ever stopped to think that maybe by Marketing rugby here in Asia (ala awarding the RWC to Japan - and YES! I will go on and on about crime!) with the majority of the worlds population who live in this region, would enhance the reputation of rugby, create fantastic interest so that maybe one day (hopefully soon) Asia can be the next Rugby world power? Methinks you're aware of that and afraid...?! Also WHY, when the RWC happens every 4 years, do the organisers run around (almost frantically) trying to find participant nations to compete? It's ridiculous! Sure, if a full-strength Boks team would play Japan (the \"Brave Blossoms\"...they HAVE to get rid of that name...!) it would be a cricket score. That's not the point and I pray that you would agree with me here! Share the spoils \"mann\" and get off your selfish high horse. You talk about vastly different time zones? So what? 2011 will be in NZ, which has an even \"worse\" time zone than Japan. \"Ah, but they're a rugby power!\"? Japan/Korea were definitely not soccer powers when they co-hosted the Soccer equivalent in 2002, yet that was one of the finest and most professionally run WC. Duhhhh!!! I think Lowrie summed up my comments quite well.
R. Mann - you and your buddy Gatiep should read up the words \"objective\" and \"fair\" in the dictionary, get on a plane and visit Japan. You'll find some realities (positive ones) which could change your warped way of thinking. Oh and by the way - you can walk around in Tokyo late at night with your wife and not be worried about her being raped and you knifed to death. Yes Mr. Mann - such a world DOES exist!. ZV"); document.write("
How can Japan hold a world cup? iT IS LAUGHABLE!!! tHE STADIUMS IS GONA BE EMPTY!!!!
"); document.write("BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Graham"); document.write("
for ZV
"); document.write("Perhaps living in Japan has slanted your vision slightly, but it is not really about promotion blah blah blah blah unfortunately it is about economic benefit and what makes sense to sponsors. If you talking about promotion of rugby perhaps world cups should be held in Romania or Italy - or perhaps (bar the time zones) Argentina. These are up and coming rugby nations with established Rugby infrastructure begging for attention. R Mann. R Mann"); document.write("
To R. Mann:
"); document.write("So it is admitted (or YOU are saying) that hosting the RWC has nothing to do with promoting the game worldwide and it has ALL to do with...MONEY! Again - stuff the smaller up-and-coming rugby nations?? I repeat - thank goodness you're not on the IRB. How is Argentina more lucrative than Japan?? Is it only because they play slightly better rugby? I notice that you have skillfully glossed over the majority of the points I raised in my previous message - one way you've done that is to simply write \"blah, blah, blah\" Too easy mate. At least by living in Japan (and being a South African) I am in a fair position to be able to cast a view, unlike you and your new brother-in-arms Graham. Again, maybe you \"gents\" should visit this part of the world (and leave your blinkers at home) and you may allow yourself to see what this, the worlds 2nd largest economy, can and would be able to offer a RWC tournament. Cry as you may mister; it looks as though either 2015 or 2019 will be given to Japan. Tough - grin and bear it!. ZV"); document.write("
for ZV
"); document.write("what puts you in a \"fair position to cast a view\" - is it the fact that you are a displaced South African in an self imposed exiles running from crime. reason will prevail in the selection of the next RWC and it is clear that the IRB will make its selection based on viewership sponsorship etc. sorry but that's economics. sweet dreams Japan it is getting late now go home take a nice warm bath or a cold shower. R Mann"); document.write("
Japan and the US
"); document.write("We need to look at Japan and the US (or Joint US/Canada) hosting the RWC. Japan co-hosted a very successful soccer world cup and did a great job with the recent junior world cup. South Africa aren't a world soccer power, and you are hosting 2011, and I'm sure you blokes will do a great job once again.

I think 2011 was given to NZ because the tournament is growing too big for NZ to ever host it again without joint hosting it with Aus.
The RWC cant just rotate between Aus, SA, the UK and France, and rugby needs to grow. That means getting Sevens into the Olympics (and what an advert that would be) and expanding the RWC to bigger audiences where rugby has a small presence.. Kiwi Chris"); document.write("
Japan, terrific rugby nation
"); document.write("Japan have been a rugby nation for a long long time. I remember as a kid in Wales the visiting Japanese team in the 70s were really welcomed and they played good rugby. Just because you're not top tier, doesn't mean you're not a first class rugby nation.

Were Japan to be awarded the RWC, they would throw enormous organisational power to ensuring it's success, I suggest they would even make it perhaps the best attended event ever. All schools and local associations would be encouraged to get behind a team and to support the event, they would turn up in their 100s of thousands, perhaps millions to make sure the event was a success and reflected well on Japan as the host nation.

These are very proud people and awarding them the cup would not only guarantee a great tournament, but also open up rugby to new areas - far more so than keeping it in the traditional heartlands only.

Let's not collapse in on ourselves like Rugby League.... Tom Davies"); document.write("
once again
"); document.write("the one-eyed tards come out in droves.

Japan has a great rugby following and will be a much better host than SA, or indeed NZ. The only reason NZ are getting it is cos by the WC after they would't be able to afford the right and also wouldn't have the stadia to support it.

Japan has.

it also has the highest test try scorer in the world Daisuke Ohata. the Cherry Blossoms are a great team to watch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_leading_Rugby_union_Test_try_scorers. Cootman De Wett"); document.write("
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