2015 Rugby World Cup
New Zealand become the first team to retain the Rugby World Cup.
The 2015 Rugby World Cup was the eighth Rugby World Cup, hosted by England from 18 September to 31 October 2015. Reigning champions New Zealand won the cup by defeating Australia 34–17 in the final, becoming the first team to retain the title and the first to win it three times.
Quick Facts
- Host
- England
- Nations
- 20 (96 qualifying)
- Venue
- 13 (in 11 host cities)
- Champion
- New Zealand (3rd title)
- Third
- South Africa
- Matches
- 48
- Attendance
- 2477805
- Top scorer
- ARG Nicolás Sánchez (97)
Facts from the source article.
Background
Of the 20 countries that had competed in 2011 only one changed, Uruguay replacing Russia, making it the first men's Rugby World Cup with no new teams. Japan's last-minute win over South Africa on the opening weekend was widely considered the biggest upset in the history of international rugby, and hosts England were eliminated at the pool stage after defeats by Wales and Australia. It was the first Rugby World Cup in which no Northern Hemisphere team got beyond the quarter-finals; South Africa beat Argentina for third place.
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