Should the 2011 World Cup be 16 teams or still 20?

Question

Should the 2011 World Cup be 16 teams or still 20?

Answer 1

It should stay at 20

teams like georgia and romania have shown they can compete with some of the nations in the top 10 and other teams like argentina and tonga have gone through the ranks and are now near the top,

and I'm from otago and if they cut the games down we're gonna get s**t all down south,

smaller nations also bring the crowds, especially when they play each other tghe town i'm from would embrace 2 minnows in a match (minnows have shown year in year out  to the biggest crowd pleasers)

So it should stay at 20 not go down to 16.

Answer 2

Has to be still 20.  Look how far countries like Argentina and Tonga have come having been allowed to play.  The others will go home with increased motivation to improve, and some of their players will be offered "jobs" with UK teams who will work on their skills.  Eventually things will be a lot more even and who knows, maybe in 16 years time Portugal will win the World Cup.

Answer 3

This is a bl00dy controversy...........and it is all down to NZRU having a huge influence on the weak IRB!

They cannot meet the demands of stadiums required to host 20 teams and refuse to offer other countries to host games, which is common practise, so the IRB has decided to decrease the number of teams to 16!

I am sooooooooo fecking annoyed at this, as so many teams want to be part of the RWC, and let us be honest here, the minnows have given us entertainment in this RWC, they have fought with pride and passion and not given up!

But because the TOP team says "we can't" The IRB has given in and agreed!

It is not right, we should be promoting the rugby game worldwide and increasing the numbers of teams, not telling them "feck you, your not wanted"!

I maybe wrong, but it is a bit to much of a coincidence if you ask ME!

mrsglyndwr.........you can have your soapbox back;-)

Answer 4

has "welshchick" nicked my soapbox?????????

Answer 5

Rugby is struggling to generate interest next to the likes of soccer. If rugby wants to get bigger, which it does, it really needs to include these "minnow" teams in the world cup. I heard the other day only 300 people play rugby in Georgia, considering how well they have gone this world cup I think that figure might increase alot over the next four years. The only way to get bigger is to have more teams playing, so lets keep it with 20.

Answer 6

It should still be 20 teams as we have clearly seen this year!

The problem is New Zealand do not have the infrastructure to cope with 20 teams, or 16 really, so they want it reduced.

We had an awesome time out there last year with the Super 14s, but it was still chaotic for accommodation, transport, etc. So add normal tourism plus 20 countries and a World Cup the islands might sink!

Purely selfish motivation by New Zealand for wanting only 16 teams and it has nothing to do with rugby!

Answer 7

should still be twenty, give the minnows a go, but maybe in 2011 england and wales will be the minnows LOL

Answer 8

20. if it is going to be called a 'world' cup then the more teams the better, even if they get thrashed it gives them something to aspire to.

Answer 9

Should leave it at 20. Its a world cup and every team must be given a chance to have an assault in attaing the Web Ellis.

The spirit of the so called underdogs adds colour to the game of rugby. Passion and pride are showcased. Who cares if they get thrashed! I admired the pride the Portugal showed with tears in their eyes along with their supporters when there national anthem was played.

They knew they were going to lose, but knew if they did, it would be so in fighting spirit putting their bodies on the line. It adds inspiration to other nations what rugby is all about. The winners are not always those who win the game, but those who win the hearts of spectators.

I say 20 teams for RWC 2011 in NZ!!