http://www.irb.com/rwc2007_draw/ 相關報導 RWC 2007 Draw announced 12 MAY 2004 World Champions England will meet a familiar foe during the RWC 2007 finals as they have been drawn with South Africa in Pool A of the RWC 2007 Draw, made in Dublin today. If South Africa and England are well acqainted in Rugby World Cups, Ireland and Argentina have even more entwined histories in this competition. If Argentina qualify in top place from the Americas qualifying group (Americas 1), they will find themselves together for the third RWC in a row. Ireland and Americas 1 are drawn in Pool D alongside France, in what will undoubtedly be seen as the 'Group of Death'. RWC 2003 runners up Australia are joined by Wales in Pool B whilst New Zealand are joined by Scotland in Pool C. A memorable Draw The Draw, which was held in Fado's restaurant in Dublin, was attended by many of the most famous names in the sport, including England's Richard Hill, Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll and France's Bernard Laporte. RWC Chairman Dr Syd Millar and President of the F黾杩ation Francaise de Rugby, Bernard Lapasset, made the Draw, which was overseen by Michael O'Neill of Price Waterhouse Coopers. RWC 2007 Draw: Reaction 12 MAY 2004 The shrug said it all. On a day when none of the national coaches and captains showed any sign of a wince of grimace at the draw Andy Robinson, coach of the victorious England side in Australia last year, smiled wryly as he reflected on the fact that England will once again line up against South Africa in a Rugby World Cup pool match. "Here we go again," he said. "South Africa, and it could very well be Samoa as well (England also have Oceania 1 in their pool). It smells of Perth 2003.. There's no way around it - we will treat the big teams and the smaller teams the same, and prepare for the games in exactly the same way as ever. "We know we have to improve by 20% and we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to prepare the team towards another campaign." New dawn for South Africa Clive Woodward's counterpart Jake White, the newly appointed head coach of South Africa, was extremely positive about the repeat match-up. "It's a blessing for South Africa being drawn in the same pool as the champions. England weren't favourites for 2003 when the pools were set, but ended up winning it." One senses that South African rugby is on the up, with a very strong Super 12 season this year and now also with the popular White at the helm. "In order to win the Rugby World Cup you have to win the big matches. South African rugby is turning a corner and the national team is going in the right direction. "I've now got a lot of the players I coached at under 21 level coming through and making names for themselves. We're positive about this." Happy hosts France head coach Bernard Laporte reacted positively to the fact that France have arguably been handed the 'group of death' alongside Ireland and dangerous 'floater' Argentina. "It's a good draw for us - we are happy. Playing in France of course has its advantages, but also there will be the added pressure of the exposure and spotlight on the players. We are looking forward to it though." Reaction from two of the other countries hosting matches - Scotland and Wales - was equally upbeat. "We're delighted with the draw," said Scotland captain Chris Paterson. "Playing at Murrayfield is going to add an extra dimension for us, and although we've never beaten New Zealand before there's a first time for everything, and why not at Murrayfield? "We were also pleased to avoid Argentina from the third tier of sides - they are a real danger." Wales coach Mike Ruddock was looking forward to the potential prospect of playing at the Millennium Stadium. "I'm delighted with the draw, especially if we get to play in front a home crowd. It will be an utter priviledge to play against Australia in a Rugby World Cup. "We've got a good young team that performed well in 2003. I am lucky to have inherited such a talented core of players who can go on from here to the next step." This draw was the inaugural event of Rugby World Cup 2007 and now, with the balls drawn and the scene set, only hundreds of hours of qualifying matches can decide the exact make up of the pools come France 2007. --

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