the traditional 15 a side rugby union game held its first world cup in 1987 ,164 years after the birth of rugby, 33 years after rugby league had its first world cup which is interesting as you would think the older rugby game would be the most popular or have the biggest fan base but this is not the case as the rugby union world cup is the third most watched sporting event. New Zealand and Australia agreed to co host the tournament. New Zealand won the world cup for the first time beating France 29-9 in the final.at this time south Africa decided to boycott the tournament due to apartheid. The Ussr were to be invited but they refused the invitation on political grounds, allegedly due to the continued IRFB membership of South Africa.

geography of rugby 

it is believed that the sport of rugby first came about when william webb ellis whilst playing football decide to pick the football up and run with it in his arms.originating the unique feature of rugby.webb ellis was rewarded with the world cup being named after him as the 'william webb ellis cup'.

there were many games similar to rugby in the 5th to 16th century the features of these such games were a pigs bladder would be inflated and one team would have to get the ball from point A to point B.

like so many sports that originated in victorian england it was competition the sense of fair play and then of course the need for rules and laws which allowed the game of rugby to expand internationally

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