World Seedings for RWC 2011?

Question

If what I have read is correct, the 4 top seeds for next RWC are hosts (NZ), holders (SA), previous runner up (ENG) & previous 3rd place (ARG).

This means FRA, AUS, FIJI & SCO will be No2 seeds.

Please tell me this is wrong? This means that my Ireland will be a 3rd ranked team again (irrespective of how we play over the next 4 years) and will be in another 'group of death' eg with NZ & AUS?

Are these rules set in stone or will the IRB re-consider these?

The flip side could be that I'm in the Group with ENG/SCO which I could happily live with ;-)

Answer 1

They could follow FIFA and draw out teams like a lottery.  Imagine if one pool was NZ, Aust, SA,& Eng and another  Portugal, Romaina, Georgia, Japan.

You may have noticed in the history of the RWC only once have there been 2 teams in the final from the same hemishpere and that was  in 1995 SA and NZ.  I think the IRB would rather have 2 teams, one from the north and one from the south.

Answer 2

coolaboola.

Answer 3

The IRB has yet to decide on what seeding system it will use for RWC 2011. The most cynical among us would suggest that they were waiting to see the outcome of the 2007 tournament before deciding on seedings. They have said that, in light of criticism of the seedings for 2007, they will wait until closer to the tournament before reaching a decision.

Answer 4

What you read is wrong. The top four seeds are the top four finishers from this world cup. SA seeded 1, England seeded 2, Argentina seeded 3, France seeded 4. Each one is in their own group as top seed. Then one each of Australia, NZ, Fiji or Scotland end up in these groups. Then one each of Ireland, Tonga, Wales & Italy. Theoretically you can have a group consisting of SA, NZ & Ireland.

Edit: Suzie, they may be given a group but not as top seed. Could you seriously see Japan being shoved in a group as top seed because they hosted the event. The host is exempt from qualifying and given automatic qualification, thats all. If the host isn’t in the 12 teams automatically qualified from 2007 then they become the 13th team to qualify. All they need to do is qualify to be ensured they will be in at least one group

Answer 5

just read this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_W...