2011 Rugby World Cup the first Asian nation to host the first Rugby World Cup. Japan had the necessary infrastructure already in place, by virtue of its co-hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup. South Africa had hosted the tournament in 1995. The 2011 South African bid, led by former national captain Francois Pienaar, had strong support from their national government. South Africa had also won the right to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The IRB Council meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005 announced that New Zealand had been selected after IRB inspections of each applicant host nation during June and July 2005.
New Zealand at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup New Zealand at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup The 1995 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team to compete at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. New Zealand won Group B of the tournament, before losing to Australia 20-30 in a semi-final. Earlier in the year, New Zealand played two test matches against France, winning one and drawing the other. New Zealand then played a three match test series against Australia, losing all three tests. Before leaving for the World Cup, the squad played the New Zealand