New Zealand lost to Australia in the semi-final in 2003 and fell to the French team in the quarter-final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Intense lobbying by the NZRFU and the New Zealand Government helped New Zealand secure hosting rights to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
In 2003, New Zealand lost to Australia in the semi-finals, and in 2007 they were eliminated by the French team in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup. The NZRFU and New Zealand Government's persistent lobbying secured hosting rights for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.