Travel Home > Directory > Destinations > Oceania > New Zealand > 2011 Rugby World Cup

The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the 7th RWC. New Zealand was the host country and won the cup after a very close final against France where a single point separated the teams. The competition was scheduled from 10th September to 22nd October 2011. There were 13 venues as itemised here: Auckland (Eden Park 63,000); Auckland (North Harbour Stadium 35,000) Whangarei (Northland Events Centre 25,000); Hamilton (Waikato Stadium 30,000); Rotorua (Rotorua International Stadium 35,000); New Plymouth (Yarrow Stadium 24,000); Napier (McLean Park 22,000); Palmerston North (Arena Manawatu 18,000); Wellington (Westpac Stadium 40,000); Nelson (Trafalgar Park 16,000); Christchurch (AMI Stadium 50,000) Dunedin (Carisbrook 30,000); and Invercargill (Rugby Park 17,000). Due to the Christchurch earthquake this was not used as a venue. Twenty teams participated in the cup comprising: Twelve teams qualified due to finishing in the top three in each pool in the 2007 cup. The remaining eight places were determined by regional qualifying competitions. The progress of the New Zealand operation received an A+ rating from the International Rugby Board's (IRB) chairman and chief executive.