But the Rugby World Cup is bound to be a proud time for New Zealand.
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In 2007, 4.2 billion people watched the Rugby World Cup in over 200 countries.
"I remember in Sri Lanka watching the Rugby World Cup final with Michael Vaughan and Ashley Giles, " Trescothick revealed.
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"This strong response is unprecedented, and truly reflects the global attraction of the Rugby World Cup, " said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset.
That means Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates Stadium will be in high demand before the Rugby World Cup comes to town.
And even those who are not rugby fans will benefit from the ridiculous number of festivities planned to coincide with the Rugby World Cup.
Instead, it builds up to the rugby world cup final in 1995, which was held in South Africa and which the home team won.
"This nation was lifted by winning the Ashes - it was a fantastic feat, as was winning the Rugby World Cup in 2003, " said Caborn.
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The Bureau said that 66, 900 jobs were created in March, as last year's strong economic growth, helped by the Rugby World Cup, translated into jobs.
The first guests booked in during the Rugby World Cup in 1999, and the Carpenters have since hosted families from as far afield as Portugal and Australia.
"Carl is an outstanding All Black and we are very disappointed to lose him after the Rugby World Cup - his services will be sorely missed, " said Tew.
She topped the bill at the opening of the Welsh Assembly in 1999, and performed the anthem World In Union with Bryn Terfel for the Rugby World Cup in 2000.
And it is thought that the 22-year-old has agreed to move to the Scottish capital for a year and return to Worcester after the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
And next season both will be unavailable for their region until the end of October as Williams and Shanklin are expected to be on Wales duty at the Rugby World Cup.
"We have taken an early decision on Gavin and decided that he is no longer in contention for the Rugby World Cup squad, which must be named before 14 August, " Jenkins said.
The last encounter between the two teams came in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup, an experimental Wales side ending the country's 11-game losing streak with a 54-8 win at the Racecourse.
Henson has signed a five-month deal as medical cover for the three-times French champions after being released from his Saracens contract - but admits he could stay in France after the Rugby World Cup.
The Rugby World Cup is being held in England in 2015, and the following year the sevens shortened version of the game makes its introduction in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
According to an IRB spokeswoman, control of the stadium is handed over to the Rugby World Cup organisers 10 days before the first game at that venue and handed back two days after its final match.
"I feel kind of sad beating Colin in the first round, " said Els, who is planning to go to Paris on Sunday for the Rugby World Cup semi-final between South Africa and Argentina which kicks off at 2000 BST.
"I am getting used to the slow realisation that my dream of playing in the Rugby World Cup is over, but what is hardest is that I have only been here for two weeks and played just two games, " he said.
He said he was looking forward to welcoming applications for the manager's job from people who wanted to be part of the stadium's future including two major summer concerts, the 2013 Rugby League World Cup opening ceremony and the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Japan are bidding to host the Rugby World Cup for the first time as the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), who lost out to New Zealand for the right to host the 2011 World Cup, has bid for the 2015 and 2019 events.
He covered Spain's 2010 World Cup victory from Madrid and has broadcast live from Wimbledon, the US Open (both tennis and golf), the Ryder Cup, the Open Championship, the Rugby World Cup, the Tour de France, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and five consecutive Champions League finals.
The Kiwi signed a four-year deal with the Welsh Rugby Union when he replaced the sacked Gareth Jenkins in December 2007 after a dismal display in the 2007 Rugby World Cup when Wales were eliminated in the group stages.
Gatland, who signed a four-year deal to be Wales coach in December 2007, only signed a new contract with the Welsh Rugby Union in October to take him to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
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"We believe that only a full-time coach will have the proper opportunity to positively influence plans for the Rugby League World Cup in 2008, the Tri-Nations in 2009 and further into the future, " said RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis.
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Rauluni, who led Fiji to the quarter-finals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, will be supported by the dynamic Tongan loose-forward Nili Latu as vice-captain.
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