[情報] RWC 2007 Draw
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RWC 2007 Draw announced
12 MAY 2004
World Champions England will meet a familiar foe during the RWC 2007
finals as they have been drawn with South Africa in Pool A of the RWC
2007 Draw, made in Dublin today.
If South Africa and England are well acqainted in Rugby World Cups,
Ireland and Argentina have even more entwined histories in this
competition. If Argentina qualify in top place from the Americas
qualifying group (Americas 1), they will find themselves together
for the third RWC in a row.
Ireland and Americas 1 are drawn in Pool D alongside France, in what
will undoubtedly be seen as the 'Group of Death'.
RWC 2003 runners up Australia are joined by Wales in Pool B whilst
New Zealand are joined by Scotland in Pool C.
A memorable Draw
The Draw, which was held in Fado's restaurant in Dublin, was attended
by many of the most famous names in the sport, including England's
Richard Hill, Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll and France's Bernard Laporte.
RWC Chairman Dr Syd Millar and President of the F黾杩ation Francaise
de Rugby, Bernard Lapasset, made the Draw, which was overseen by Michael
O'Neill of Price Waterhouse Coopers.
RWC 2007 Draw: Reaction
12 MAY 2004
The shrug said it all. On a day when none of the national coaches and
captains showed any sign of a wince of grimace at the draw Andy Robinson,
coach of the victorious England side in Australia last year, smiled
wryly as he reflected on the fact that England will once again line
up against South Africa in a Rugby World Cup pool match.
"Here we go again," he said. "South Africa, and it could very well be
Samoa as well (England also have Oceania 1 in their pool). It smells of
Perth 2003.. There's no way around it - we will treat the big teams and
the smaller teams the same, and prepare for the games in exactly the
same way as ever.
"We know we have to improve by 20% and we will leave no stone unturned
in our efforts to prepare the team towards another campaign."
New dawn for South Africa
Clive Woodward's counterpart Jake White, the newly appointed head coach
of South Africa, was extremely positive about the repeat match-up.
"It's a blessing for South Africa being drawn in the same pool as the
champions. England weren't favourites for 2003 when the pools were set,
but ended up winning it."
One senses that South African rugby is on the up, with a very strong Super
12 season this year and now also with the popular White at the helm.
"In order to win the Rugby World Cup you have to win the big matches.
South African rugby is turning a corner and the national team is going
in the right direction.
"I've now got a lot of the players I coached at under 21 level coming
through and making names for themselves. We're positive about this."
Happy hosts
France head coach Bernard Laporte reacted positively to the fact that
France have arguably been handed the 'group of death' alongside Ireland
and dangerous 'floater' Argentina.
"It's a good draw for us - we are happy. Playing in France of course has
its advantages, but also there will be the added pressure of the exposure
and spotlight on the players. We are looking forward to it though."
Reaction from two of the other countries hosting matches - Scotland and
Wales - was equally upbeat. "We're delighted with the draw," said Scotland
captain Chris Paterson. "Playing at Murrayfield is going to add an extra
dimension for us, and although we've never beaten New Zealand before
there's a first time for everything, and why not at Murrayfield?
"We were also pleased to avoid Argentina from the third tier of sides -
they are a real danger."
Wales coach Mike Ruddock was looking forward to the potential prospect
of playing at the Millennium Stadium. "I'm delighted with the draw,
especially if we get to play in front a home crowd. It will be an utter
priviledge to play against Australia in a Rugby World Cup.
"We've got a good young team that performed well in 2003. I am lucky to
have inherited such a talented core of players who can go on from here
to the next step."
This draw was the inaugural event of Rugby World Cup 2007 and now, with
the balls drawn and the scene set, only hundreds of hours of qualifying
matches can decide the exact make up of the pools come France 2007.
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