Was the RWC draw rigged to prevent Australia & NZ meeting in Final, to "accomodate" Northern hemisphere teams

Question

As the Wallabies & All Blacks are scheduled to face of in the Semi's after we dispose of a woundered Lion. Was the draw rigged to assist the Northern teams as its being held in France. To bad they forgot about South Africa, either way it's a Southern hemisphere Final !

Answer 1

Simple answer..... No.

The teams are set up in the pools depending on where they finished in the last RWC.

England 1st: Pool A

Australia 2nd: Pool B

NZ 3rd: Pool C

France 4th: Pool D

5th to 8th were randomly assigned since the all went out in the QF's.

After the pools are assigned, the draw is set up to have the #1 and #2 ranked teams meet in the final again.  No one can account for Englands big slide so it most likely wont be a England vs Australia final.

Answer 2

No mate.  That happened last time round but !

NZ and Aus were to host the last cup together but New Zealand said they could not accommodate the WC sponsors due to the two other pro comps that had advertising contracts in our stadiums etc. Australia kind of did the dirty on us and said they would yield to the WC sponsors if they could host the whole cup and change the draw so that Australia and NZ would meet in the semi.

And you know what happen mate - (besides you buggers winning it )The semi between NZ and Australia made more money than any other semi before it. Like selling tickets for two finals. Smart move by the ARU accountants.

Answer 3

"accomodate"..Funny choice of words....pretty arrogant too.