The Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport of rugby union, and is held every four years to determine the world champion. The tournament was first held in 1987, and has been won by four countries: New Zealand (three times), South Africa (three times), Australia (twice), and England (once).
The Rugby World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and attracts millions of viewers from all over the globe. The tournament is also a major economic driver for the host country, and has helped to grow the popularity of rugby union around the world.
Here are some fun facts about the Rugby World Cup:
- The Rugby World Cup trophy is named after William Webb Ellis, who is credited with inventing the game of rugby union in 1823.
- The largest winning margin in Rugby World Cup history is 142 points, set by Australia in a victory over Namibia in 2003.
- The fastest drop goal in Rugby World Cup history was scored by Jonny Wilkinson of England in 2003, taking just 35 seconds to kick the ball between the posts.
- The only team to have received two red cards in a Rugby World Cup match is Canada, who were penalized in a match against South Africa in 1995.
- The most successful Rugby World Cup player is Jonny Wilkinson, who scored a total of 277 points in three tournaments.
- The Rugby World Cup has been hosted by eight different countries: New Zealand and Australia (1987), England (1991), South Africa (1995), Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and France (1999), England (2003), France (2007), New Zealand (2011), England and Wales (2015), Japan (2019), and France (2023).
The Rugby World Cup is a truly global event, and is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. The tournament is a celebration of the sport of rugby union, and showcases the best players from around the world.
More fun facts about the Rugby World Cup:
- The youngest player to ever play in a Rugby World Cup was England’s Benjamin Earl, who was just 18 years and 328 days old when he made his debut in 2019.
- The oldest player to ever play in a Rugby World Cup was Japan’s Atsushi Hiwasa, who was 41 years and 350 days old when he played in the 2019 tournament.
- The first woman to referee a Rugby World Cup match was New Zealand’s Sarah Cox, who officiated a match between Canada and Japan in 2015.
- The most tries scored in a single Rugby World Cup tournament is eight, shared by Jonah Lomu of New Zealand in 1995 and Bryan Habana of South Africa in 2007.
- The most points scored in a single Rugby World Cup tournament is 277, by Jonny Wilkinson of England in 2003.
The Rugby World Cup is a truly unique and special event, and is a must-watch for any fan of sport.
Rugby World Cup winning stats by country since 1987 (as of September 2023):
| Country | World Cups Won |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 3 (1987, 2011, 2015) |
| South Africa | 3 (1995, 2007, 2019) |
| Australia | 2 (1991, 1999) |
| England | 1 (2003) |
