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Rugby World Cup commenced in 1987 with Australia and New Zealand as host nations. The idea of the Rugby World Cup was suggested by the Australian Rugby Union and the New Zealand Football Union in separate submissions to the International Rugby Board. Though 16 nations from all over the globe participated in 1987 Rugby World Cup , but there were only three real contenders for the trophy.
Since, in 1987 the first Rugby World Cup was hosted the 16 members were invited by the International Rugby football Board and there were no separate selection procedures. The extravaganza began on 22 nd May, 1987 and ended on 20 th June, 1987. There were four pools with each pool having four members. Each nation had to play thrice during the group stage and the top two teams moved subsequently to the quarter finals. Same applied for all the groups and the quarter final was followed by the semi-finals and the finals.
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Sixteen teams participated in 1987 Rugby World Cup . The teams were Australia, England, United States of America, Japan, Wales, Ireland, Canada, Tonga, New Zealand, Fiji, Argentina, Italy, France, Scotland, Romania and Zimbabwe.
Since 1987 was the first year of the Rugby World Cup , competition was not much. Only three teams were considered strong enough to win the Cup. Crossing the barrier of the leagues, New Zealand and France made it to the finals, where New Zealand defeated France. The result score in favour of New Zealand was 29-9.
1987 Rugby World Cup produced some quality rugby players like Campese, Burke, Slack, Camberabero, Lagisquet, Erbani, Rodriguez, Kirk, Brooke-Cowden, Fitzpatrick, K Phillips, P Moriarty, Sean Fitzpatrick, John Kirwan, Grant Fox and Michael Jones etc.
Following are the links where you will find more information about the 1987 Rugby World Cup .
