Pages tagged with: world cup

In a country where rugby is often referred to as a religion, hosting and winning the first Rugby World Cup was a big deal. The story of how the tournament came about mixes the worlds of sport, politics and money.

There were many obstacles along the road to the first Rugby World Cup.

Images of the New Zealand All Whites captain Steve Sumner at the finals of the 1982 Soccer World Cup.

The New Zealand football team's famous 2-0 victory in Sydney was a defining moment in their epic qualifying campaign for the 1982 World Cup finals.

The Rugby World Cup was set to take place in May or June 1987, and two venues in Australia and eight in New Zealand would hold games.

The 1987 Rugby World Cup preview edition of Rugby News (NZ)

This cover of Rugby News features the iconic image of All Black captain David Kirk holding the Webb Ellis Cup

Cover of Rugby News (UK), June 1987, featuring the Rugby World Cup 

The Webb Ellis Cup is the trophy for the Rugby World Cup competition.

All Black captain David Kirk kisses the Webb Ellis Cup at Eden Park after the All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and France on 22 June 1987.

With the staging of the Rugby World Cup, rugby had established itself as a commercial market, and the financial viability of the world cup concept was assured.