PLUS PL ayer WeLfare Ir B aWardS GLoBaL InveStment WorLd rankInGS rUGBy WorL d CUP 2011 PrevIeW Year in review 2010 Women’s Rugby WoRld cup history makers irb/emirates rugby photograph oF the year 2010 growing the global rugby family This photograph by Richard Lane and 4 providing excellent 12 developing the 24 delivering rugby’s entitled ‘Bengal Khuki’ won the IRB/ service to member game worldwide major tournaments Emirates Airline Rugby Photograph of unions 14 Strategic investment 26 Women’s Rugby World Cup the Year 2010 competition. It features a 6 IRB Council and Committees group of girls playing Rugby for the first 16 Regional round up 28 RWC – one year to go time at an orphanage outside Kolkata 8 Key Council/EXCO decisions 20 Game analysis 30 RWC – Financial benefits in India and was selected by a panel of 10 Member Unions and Regional 22 Player welfare 32 The road to New Zealand 2011 expert judges from over 300 entries Associations 34 Olympic Games Rio 2016 depicting Rugby scenes in 26 countries, under the category Spirit of Rugby. 36 IRB Sevens World Series contents growing the global rugby family 46 promoting and 54 media and 72 Financing the protecting the communications investment in 38 IRB Junior World game and its 56 Online report rugby’s growth Championship core values 58 Total Rugby 74 Financing the global Game 40 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 48 Match officials 60 IRB Awards 2010 76 Financial report and accounts 42 ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 50 Scrum first 62 IRB World Rankings 92 Meet the team 43 IRB Nations Cup 51 One turf programme 64 World results 2010 44 Other International 52 Anti-doping 70 Key fixtures 2011 tournaments a year ago we were celebrating Rugby Sevens’ inclusion in the Olympic The schedule, which commences in 2012, rugby sevens’ inclusion in the Games has already seen major benefits for will lead to more meaningful Tests between olympic games programme, our Member Unions. Many have forged strong SANZAR and Six Nations Unions during the relationships with their National Olympic starting with the 2016 games June window, providing an attractive and Committees and we are working in equitable commercial model that will see in rio de janeiro. collaboration with our Unions and the northern hemisphere Unions tour southern The overwhelming decision, which marked International Olympic Committee to ensure hemisphere Unions on a rotational basis. the beginning of another exciting chapter in that our debut in Rio is a major success. Most years the schedule will involve a the history of our Game, also achieved one Inclusion will provide the impetus for growth three-Test series against only one visiting of the five main goals of the original 2004 within existing Rugby countries and also new nation in June, with midweek matches also strategic plan and opened the way for the Rugby nations and in 2011 the IRB will set to be incorporated into the touring side’s development of a new strategic plan that will announce its strategic plan for Rugby Sevens, itinerary at the agreement of the respective provide the blueprint for global growth and a blueprint that will benefit both Sevens and Unions. development over the next 10 years. Fifteens rugby, while also delivering a new The new schedule meets the IRB’s strategic Indeed the decade ahead promises to be structure for the HSBC Sevens World Series goal of providing the platform to grow and exciting. Rugby will break new frontiers on and Olympic Qualification. These are increase the profile of the Game around the challenging and exciting times. and off the field of play as we look forward to world while also recognising the commercial Further building blocks were delivered Rugby World Cups in New Zealand in 2011, requirements of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Unions. in 2010 when the IRB Council approved a England in 2015 and Japan in 2019, as well A core component of the new schedule is an funding structure and regulatory amendments as Olympic Games in 2016 and 2020. integrated Test schedule for targeted Strategic to allow Argentina to compete in a new Four A new groundbreaking 10-year Tours Investment Unions, providing the platform for Nations competition from 2012. This major schedule will bring continuity and certainty increased competition and growth through the development will mean that for the first time to the playing calendar for Tier 1 and Tier 2 delivery of more ranking Tests between Tier 2 the Rugby World Cup 2007 bronze medallists Unions, while the IRB will be investing record nations and matches against touring Tier 1 sums in the Game between now and 2012. will have a platform for an expanded sides for the first time in several years, with The ability for the IRB to map out the next programme of Test rugby and an opportunity Tests in North America, Japan and the Pacific decade will provide the Game with significant to consolidate their position as a major player Islands. Such commitment was underlined benefits and the opportunity to work in on the world stage. with 24 of the top 25 Unions in the IRB World collaboration with our 117 Member Unions The decision is the culmination of a process Rankings all in action during November 2010. to implement a strategic plan that will provide that began with the historic Woking Forum Increased competition pathways will vision, direction and leadership while ensuring in November 2007 where all stakeholders increase global competitiveness and as we that Rugby can continue to flourish in a agreed that integration into a major crowded sports marketplace. competition structure was a priority for look towards Rugby World Cup 2011 the IRB 2010 was another remarkable year for the the Pumas. In making the dream a reality, is confident that we will see improvements Game. I am delighted to say that planning for I would like to thank SANZAR and the Australia, in performance from many of the so-called Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019 is already New Zealand and South Africa Unions for their smaller nations. underway. We are working with both host full support in the process. Despite the challenging global economic Unions to ensure that the appropriate In May 2010, we announced that traditional climate the IRB maintained its commitment processes, platforms and knowledge tours will return to the international Rugby to investment in Rugby and between 2009 transfer elements are in place to deliver calendar after the IRB Council approved a and 2012 some £48 million will be invested not only outstanding sporting spectacles, new global 10 year playing schedule that in the Game in the form of High Performance but tournaments that will advance the growth will shape the Test landscape in the run-up to investment aimed at increasing global and competitiveness around the world. Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan. playing standards. building for the future 2 International Rugby Board www.irb.com foreword The total investment in global Rugby during the period will be upwards of £153 million and is only made possible by the commercial I am confident that Rugby World success of Rugby World Cup. Cup 2011 will write another As we count down to Rugby World Cup memorable chapter in the Rugby 2011 in New Zealand, I am confident that the World Cup success story and will tournament will write another memorable be an event that New Zealanders chapter in the Rugby World Cup success story and the global Rugby family will and will be an event that New Zealanders and be proud of. the global Rugby family will be proud of. The tournament, the seventh edition of Rugby’s showcase event, will not just be the biggest sporting event of the year, it will also be the largest-grossing event ever hosted in New Zealand. Ticket sales are on target and on budget with over 850,000 sold as of December 2010, while an estimated 85,000 visitors will experience a blend of world class Rugby, superb venues and a unique cultural festival as New Zealand is transformed into a country of four million hosts for seven weeks. Rugby World Cup 2011 will attract over 85,000 overseas fans from upwards of 100 countries and deliver a global television audience of four billion, while the impact on the New Zealand economy is likely to be over NZD $700 million. It will also lay the foundation for Rugby’s growth through a strong commercial programme. And so we look forward to 2011 and a year that will see the IRB celebrate its 125th anniversary and enjoy the best the Game has to offer at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand during September and October. I look forward to seeing you soon. bernard lapasset IRB Chairman building for the future Year in Review 2010 3 our core values integrity integrity is central to the fabric of the game and is generated through honesty and fair play. providing eXcellent service to member unions 6 IRB Council and Committees 8 Key Council/EXCO decisions 10 Member Unions and Regional Associations irb council And committees IrB CoUnCIL 2010 Chairman Australia France New Zealand South Africa Bernard Lapasset (A,I) Peter McGrath (A,I) Pierre Camou (A,I) Graham Mourie (A,I) Oregan Hoskins (A,I) Vice Chairman John O’Neill (A,I) Jacques Laurans (A,I) Steve Tew (A,I) Johan Prinsloo (A,I) Bill Beaumont (A,I) Canada Ireland North American and South America (CONSUR) Chris Le Fevre (A) Pat Whelan (A,I) Caribbean (NACRA) Ricardo Paganini (A,I) Africa (CAR) Graham Brown (I) Peter Boyle (A,I) Pearse Higgins (A,I) Abdelaziz Bougja (A,I) Wales England Italy Oceania (FORU) David Pickering (A,I) Argentina Martyn Thomas (A,I) Giancarlo Dondi (A,I) Harry Schuster (A,I) Gerald Davies (A,I) Porfirio Carreras (A,I) Jonathan Dance (A,I) Japan Scotland Asia (ARFU) Europe (FIRA-AER) Ichiro Kono (A,I) Bill Nolan (A,I) (A) Annual Meeting Noboru Mashimo (A,I) Raul Martins (A,I) Gordon McKie (A) (I) Interim Meeting John Jeffrey (I) 6 International Rugby Board www.irb.com irb council & committees IRB Council Back row: J.