Talk:2011 Rugby World Cup qualifying

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

People are incorrectly reporting teams as having qualified for 2007. As of this moment, there are teams that can not reach the quarterfinals, but still have an opportunity to finish higher than teams still alive in the 2007 world cup. For example, Tonga and England are tied at #2 in Pool A, each with 9 points and 1 game remaining (against the other). The United States, with 0 points and two games remaining, can theoretically finish with 10 points (yeah, I know, it won't happen...that's not the point). If that happens, and the loser of Tonga-England does not get a bonus point, the loser of that match will finish Pool A in 4th place and thus not qualify automatically for 2011.

Similarly, Romania can overtake Scotland or Italy, and Georgia could overtake France AND Ireland.

Alanmjohnson 18:23, 25 September 2007 (UTC)


Again, as of this writing, France and Ireland have NOT qualified for 2011, nor has Italy. Consider the following scenarios:

  • Georgia beats France (bonus point to Georgia, none to France). Ireland beats Argentina. In this case, the top two teams are Ireland and Argentina. France and Georgia are tied at 10 points. Having beaten France, the tie-breaker for 3rd place goes to Georgia and France does not qualify automatically. Thus, it is too early to add France.
  • Georgia beats France (bonus point to Georgia, none to France). Argentina beats Ireland (no bonus to Ireland). In this case, the top team is Argentina. France and Georgia are tied at 10 points. Having beaten France, the tie-breaker for 2nd place goes to Georgia. France has 10 points and Ireland has 9, thus France qualifies automatically and Ireland does not.
  • Pool C: Romania beats New Zealand. NZ has 15 points, Scotland has 10, Romania has 9, and Italy has 8. If Scotland beats Italy, and denies Italy a bonus point, then Romania will finish in 3rd and Italy will not qualify automatically.

You don't have to tell me how unlikely these situations are. Anyone who knows anything about rugby could tell you that. However, the point remains that while teams like France, Ireland, and Italy WILL qualify for 2011 by this weekend, they have NOT done so yet.

On Saturday, with Romanian defeat, Italy can be added to the list. On Sunday, the results will allow France and Ireland to be added.

Alanmjohnson 15:46, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Places available?

Is it certain that there will be just 16 places available? I know that there has been talk of reducing the number from 20 to 16 but I wa snot aware that anything official has been established. GringoInChile 17:30, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

  • You're right, it's not yet official. Alanmjohnson 17:46, 27 September 2007 (UTC)
  • In the light of this article, it's not safe to assume that there will be regional qualifiers similar to those held before. It looks like berths will be given to the winners of regional championships and some teams from the new World Trophy tournament. Conscious 06:22, 29 September 2007 (UTC)