View source for 2007 Rugby World Cup

{{Short description|6th Rugby World Cup}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox Rugby World Cup
| other_titles     = <small>{{langx|fr|Coupe du monde de rugby 2007}}</small>
| logo         = RWC2007logo.svg
| logosize     = 250px
| datefrom     = 7 September
| dateto       = 20 October (44 days)
| host         = France
| host-flagvar = 1974
| nations      = 20 (91 qualifying)
| champion     = {{ru|RSA}}
| count        = 2
| runnerup     = {{ru|ENG}}
| third        = {{ru|ARG}}
| matches      = 48
| attendance   = 2265182
| top_scorer   = {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Percy Montgomery]] (105)
| most_tries   = {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Bryan Habana]] (8)
| prev         = [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]]
| next         = [[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011]]
}}
The '''2007 Rugby World Cup''' ({{langx|fr|Coupe du monde de rugby 2007}}) was the sixth [[Rugby World Cup]], a [[Anniversary#Latin-derived numerical names|quadrennial]] international [[rugby union]] competition organised by the [[World Rugby|International Rugby Board]]. Twenty nations competed for the [[Webb Ellis Cup]] in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003, beating a bid from England. The competition consisted of 48 matches over 44 days; 42 matches were played in 10 cities throughout France, as well as four in [[Cardiff]], Wales, and two in [[Edinburgh]], Scotland.

The eight quarter-finalists from [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]] were granted automatic qualification, while 12 other nations gained entry through the regional qualifying competitions that began in 2004 – of them, [[Portugal national rugby union team|Portugal]] was the only World Cup debutant. The top three nations from each pool at the end of the pool stage qualified automatically for the [[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011 World Cup]].

The competition opened with a match between hosts [[France national rugby union team|France]] and [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] on 7 September at the [[Stade de France]] in [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]], outside Paris. The stadium was also the venue of the [[2007 Rugby World Cup Final|final]], played between [[England national rugby union team|England]] and [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] on 20 October, which South Africa won 15–6 to win their second World Cup title.

[[File:DSCN0177.JPG|thumb|The opening ceremony of the 2007 Rugby World Cup]]

==Bids==
[[File:Coupe du monde rugby - tour Eiffel.JPG|thumb|The [[Eiffel Tower]] in Paris decorated with a giant rugby ball for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.]]
{{See also|Rugby World Cup hosts}}
Both England and France bid to host the tournament.<ref name=England>{{cite web|title=England to launch bid for 2007 |url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2001_september/england_to_launch_bid_for_2007_rwc_12158,8514.html |date=12 September 2001 |access-date=7 October 2006 |publisher=Australian Rugby Union |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060909063926/http://rugby.com.au/news/2001_september/england_to_launch_bid_for_2007_rwc_12158%2C8514.html |archive-date=9 September 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=pasttournaments>{{cite web|publisher=Australian Rugby Union |title=World Cup bidding process underway |date=28 September 2002 |url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2002_ber/world_cup_bidding_process_underway_14773,4063.html |access-date=7 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402041310/http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2002_ber/world_cup_bidding_process_underway_14773%2C4063.html |archive-date=2 April 2008 }}</ref> The tender document for the 2007 bidding process was due out on 31 October 2001. Both England and France were invited to re-submit their plans.<ref name=resubmit>{{cite web|publisher=Australian Rugby Union |title=IRB clarifies World Cup bid situation |date=17 November 2002 |url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2002_december/irb_clarifies_world_cup_bid_position_14984,7997.html |access-date=7 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322175634/http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2002_december/irb_clarifies_world_cup_bid_position_14984%2C7997.html |archive-date=22 March 2009 }}</ref> The [[International Rugby Board]] (IRB) stated that both countries must comply with tender document terms in one bid, but in their second option, could propose alternative ideas. The IRB said "England's original proposal contained three plans for hosting the tournament with a traditional, new and hybrid format all on offer... The French bid, while complying with the tender document in all other respects, fell outside one of the 'windows' in which the IRB wanted to stage an event".<ref name="resubmit"/> England's bids included a two-tier tournament and altering the structure of the qualifying tournament and France had a bid in September/October.<ref name=resubmit/>

It was announced in April 2003 that France had won the right to host the tournament.<ref name=francewin>{{cite web|publisher=Australian Rugby Union |title=France wins right to host 2007 Rugby World Cup |date=11 April 2003 |url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2003_april/france_wins_right_to_host_the_2007_rugby_wor_15381,3851.html |access-date=7 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903232554/http://rugby.com.au/news/2003_april/france_wins_right_to_host_the_2007_rugby_wor_15381%2C3851.html |archive-date=3 September 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The tournament was moved to the proposed September–October dates with the tournament structure remaining as it was.<ref name=francewin/> It was also announced that ten French cities would be hosting games, with the final at the Stade de France.<ref name=francewin/> French Prime Minister [[Jean-Pierre Raffarin]] said that "this decision illustrates the qualities of our country and its capacity to host major sporting events...This World Cup will be the opportunity to showcase the regions of France where the wonderful sport of rugby is deeply rooted".<ref name=francewin/> French Sports Minister Jean-François Lamour said that "The organisation of this World Cup will shine over all of France because ten French towns have the privilege of organising matches and to be in the world's spotlight."<ref name=francewin/> French cities to host games were Bordeaux, Lens, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, St. Etienne, Toulouse and Paris, and it was also announced that the final would be at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.<ref name=francewin/>

==Qualifying==
{{Main|2007 Rugby World Cup qualifying}}
[[File:World Map 2007 RWC qualif.PNG|thumb|300px|left|Nations participating in qualifying competition and those that have qualified automatically; Asia (purple), Africa (orange), Americas (green), Europe (blue) and Oceania (yellow). In total, over 90 nations took part.]]
The eight quarter-finalists from the [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003 World Cup]] all received automatic entry, with the other 12 nations coming from qualifying series around the world. Ten of the 20 positions available in the tournament were filled by regional qualifiers, with an additional two being filled by [[repechage]] qualification. The qualifying tournament was divided into five regional groups; [[2007 Rugby World Cup – Africa qualification|Africa]], [[2007 Rugby World Cup – Americas qualification|Americas]], [[2007 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification|Asia]], [[2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification|Europe]] and [[2007 Rugby World Cup – Oceania qualification|Oceania]].<ref name=qualifyzones>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=RWC 2007 Qualifying process |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid=277526.html |access-date=16 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227014722/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid%3D277526.html |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref> Qualifying matches began in 2004 and were completed in early 2007. Including the automatic qualifiers, over 90 nations were in qualifying contention for the final tournament.

In July 2005, both [[Samoa national rugby union team|Samoa]] and [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]] were confirmed as the qualifiers from Oceania, as Oceania 1 and 2 respectively.<ref name=samoafiji>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=Samoa and Fiji through to RWC 2007 |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid=277512.html |access-date=14 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227014728/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid%3D277512.html |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref> In July of the following year, [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] qualified as Americas 1 by defeating [[Uruguay national rugby union team|Uruguay]] 26–0 in [[Buenos Aires]].<ref name=Argentina>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=Argentina qualify for Rugby World Cup 2007 |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid=277616.html |access-date=14 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227014733/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid%3D277616.html |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref> Americas 2 was filled in August when [[Canada national rugby union team|Canada]] defeated the [[United States national rugby union team|United States]] 56–7 in [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]].<ref name=Canada>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=Canada qualifies for RWC 2007 |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid=277613.html |access-date=14 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227014738/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid%3D277613.html |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref> The United States went on to qualify as Americas 3 after beating Uruguay in a two-legged tie in early October.<ref name=usa>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=USA Eagles qualify for 2007 World Cup |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid=277594.html |access-date=14 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227014747/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid%3D277594.html |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref> That month also saw [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]] qualify as Europe 1 after defeating [[Russia national rugby union team|Russia]] 67–7 in Moscow, reaching the first place in its qualifying group; [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]] defeated [[Spain national rugby union team|Spain]] 43–20 in [[Madrid]], and also qualified for the World Cup as Europe 2.<ref name=italyromania>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=Italy and Romania qualify for RWC 2007 |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid=277503.html |access-date=14 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227014756/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid%3D277503.html |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref>

[[Namibia national rugby union team|Namibia]] qualified for their third consecutive World Cup after they earned their spot in France by defeating [[Morocco national rugby union team|Morocco]] over two legs in November.<ref name=Namibia>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=Namibia qualify for Rugby World Cup |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid=277517.html |access-date=14 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227014801/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid%3D277517.html |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref> In late 2006, it was announced that the IRB had withdrawn [[Colombo]] as the venue of the final Asian qualifying tournament due to security problems.<ref name=asiaqualif>{{cite web |publisher=lankabusinessonline.com |title=IRB scraps Asian World Cup qualifiers in Sri Lanka |date=27 October 2006 |url=http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?newsID=1448295113&no_view=1&SEARCH_TERM=34 |access-date=27 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004501/http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?newsID=1448295113&no_view=1&SEARCH_TERM=34 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Japan national rugby union team|Japan]] won the only Asian allocation after the tournament was moved to Hong Kong.<ref name=japangeorgia>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=Japan and Georgia qualify |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid=277559.html |access-date=14 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227014806/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/news/newsid%3D277559.html |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref> [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]] was 14 points the better of [[Portugal national rugby union team|Portugal]] over two legs to claim the last European place.<ref name="japangeorgia"/> [[Tonga national rugby union team|Tonga]] qualified through repechage after defeating [[Korea national rugby union team|Korea]].<ref name=Tonga>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=Tonga through to RWC 2007 finals |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/EN/RWC+Qualifying/News/070210+dk+tong+kor+rep.htm |access-date=14 November 2007 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The final spot went to [[Portugal national rugby union team|Portugal]], joining Pool C after beating [[Uruguay national rugby union team|Uruguay]] 24–23 on aggregate. Portugal's qualification was the only change in the 20-team roster from the 2003 World Cup, replacing Uruguay, becoming the only wholly [[amateur]] team to qualify.

{| class="wikitable" width=98%
|-
!width=20%|Africa
!width=28%|Americas
!width=28%|Europe
!width=23%|Oceania/Asia
|-
|
*{{ru|NAM}} (Africa)
*{{ru|RSA}}
|
*{{ru|ARG}} (Americas 1)
*{{ru|CAN}} (Americas 2)
*{{ru|USA}} (Americas 3)
|
*{{ru|ENG}}
*{{ru|FRA|1974}}
*{{ru|IRE}}
*{{ru|ITA}} (Europe 1)
*{{ru|ROU}} (Europe 2)
*{{ru|SCO}}
*{{ru|GEO}} (Europe 3)
*{{ru|POR}} (Repechage 1)
*{{ru|WAL}}
|
*{{ru|AUS}}
*{{ru|FIJ}} (Oceania 2)
*{{ru|NZL}}
*{{ru|SAM}} (Oceania 1)
*{{ru|TGA}} (Repechage 2)
*{{ru|JPN}} (Asia)
|}

==Venues==
{{See also|Rugby union in France|France at the Rugby World Cup}}
[[Image:RugbyWorldCup2007VenuesMap.JPG|thumb|The 2007 World Cup was hosted by France, with additional venues at Edinburgh and Cardiff.]]
France won the right to host the 2007 World Cup in 2003, Then it was announced that 6 games would be held abroad, at the request of their neighbouring countries. Four matches would be held in Wales, at [[Cardiff]]'s 74,500-seat [[Millennium Stadium]]: two Pool B games involving [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]], the match between [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]] and [[Canada national rugby union team|Canada]] and a quarter-final. Ireland was to have hosted matches at [[Lansdowne Road]], Dublin, but opted out because the stadium was being redeveloped.<ref name=scotlandgames>{{cite web|publisher=worldcupweb.com |title=Scotland looks to give up World cup matches at Murrayfield |date=2 December 2005 |url=http://www.worldcupweb.com/WCrugby/content/show_article.asp?id=461&cat=2 |access-date=7 September 2007 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Two of Scotland's Pool C matches were played at [[Murrayfield Stadium]] in Scotland. The [[Scottish Rugby Union]] was reportedly having doubts in early 2006 about hosting these games and whether Scotland would generate enough market demand,<ref name=scotlandgames/><ref name=scotlandgames2>{{cite web |publisher=worldcupweb.com |title=Scots could disrupt World cup hosting plans |date=20 February 2006 |url=http://www.worldcupweb.com/WCrugby/content/show_article.asp?id=552&cat=2 |access-date=7 September 2007 |archive-date=1 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101204512/http://www.worldcupweb.com/WCrugby/content/show_article.asp?id=552&cat=2 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but confirmed in April 2006 that the games would be played at Murrayfield. In the end, the Scotland v. New Zealand match failed to sell out, and the stadium was less than half-full for the Scotland v. Romania match.

There was a substantial increase in the overall capacity of stadiums compared to the [[2003 Rugby World Cup]] – the smallest venue at the 2007 tournament could seat 33,900 people. The French venues were the same as those used for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]. Around 6,000 volunteers helped to organise the competition.<ref name=organise>{{cite web |publisher=scrum.com |title=Volunteers primed to play their part at RWC'07 |date=18 March 2006 |url=http://www.scrum.com/2444_3927.php |access-date=15 November 2007 }}</ref>

Although the 2007 tournament was the first to be hosted primarily by France, a number of matches during the [[1991 Rugby World Cup|1991]] and [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]] tournaments were played in France. In 1991, matches in Pool D (which included France) were played in [[Béziers]], [[Bayonne]], [[Grenoble]], [[Toulouse]], [[Brive]] and [[Agen]], while [[Parc des Princes]] and [[Stadium Lille-Metropole]] each hosted a quarter-final. Similarly, in 1999, fixtures in Pool C (which included France) were played in Béziers, [[Bordeaux]] and Toulouse,<ref name=99wc>{{cite magazine |magazine=Sports Illustrated |title=1999 Rugby World Cup venues |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/rugby/world_cup/news/1999/09/25/rwc_venues/index.html |access-date=16 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322065939/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/rugby/world_cup/news/1999/09/25/rwc_venues/index.html |archive-date=22 March 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Stade Félix-Bollaert]] was the venue for one of the quarter-final play-offs, and the [[Stade de France]] hosted a quarter-final.<ref name="99wc"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} '''[[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]'''
! {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Cardiff]]
! {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Edinburgh]]
! {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Marseille]]
|-
| '''[[Stade de France]]'''
| [[Millennium Stadium]]
| [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]]
| [[Stade Vélodrome]]
|-
| Capacity: '''80,000'''
| Capacity: '''74,500'''
| Capacity: '''67,144'''
| Capacity: '''59,500'''
|-
| [[File:07-01 France-Angleterre 02-03-2002.jpg|180px]]
| [[File:Millennium Stadium RWC2015.jpg|180px]]
| [[File:A pot of gold... - geograph.org.uk - 718806.jpg|180px]]
| [[File:Vue du virage Depé.jpg|180px]]
|-
! {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Paris]]
! {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Lens, Pas-de-Calais|Lens]]
! {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Lyon]]
! {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Nantes]]
|-
| [[Parc des Princes]]
| [[Stade Félix-Bollaert]]
| [[Stade de Gerland]]
| [[Stade de la Beaujoire]]
|-
| Capacity: '''47,870'''
| Capacity: '''41,400'''
| Capacity: '''41,100'''
| Capacity: '''38,100'''
|-
| [[File:Paris-Parc-des-Princes.jpg|180px]]
| [[File:Stade Bollaert (Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2007).jpg|180px]]
| [[File:Stade-Gerland-RWC2007.JPG|180px]]
| [[File:Stade de la Beaujoire.jpg|180px]]
|-
! {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Toulouse]]
! {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Saint-Étienne]]
! {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Bordeaux]]
! {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Montpellier]]
|-
| [[Stadium de Toulouse]]
| [[Stade Geoffroy-Guichard]]
| [[Stade Chaban-Delmas]]
| [[Stade de la Mosson]]
|-
| Capacity: '''35,700'''
| Capacity: '''35,650'''
| Capacity: '''34,440'''
| Capacity: '''33,900'''
|-
| [[File:Stadium de Toulouse.jpg|180px]]
| [[File:Stade-GeoffroyGuichard-RWC2007.JPG|180px]]
| [[File:Stade Chaban-Delmas.jpg|180px]]
| [[File:Australie-Fidji.4.JPG|180px]]
|}

==Tickets and sponsorship==
[[File:Rugby World Cup 2007 Boutique Officielle.jpg|thumb|The official Rugby World Cup shop in Paris]]
Ticket sales for the Rugby World Cup were broken up into three phases. The first phase was released in November 2005, when members of the European rugby community, such as officials, players and so on were given the opportunity for various packages. Upon the release of the second phase ticketing scheme, more than 100,000 tickets were sold in the first ten hours of release.<ref name=msn>{{cite web |publisher=xtramsn.co.nz |title=Rush For Rugby World Cup Tickets |url=http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12416-5641099,00.html |access-date=22 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412023913/http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0%2C%2C12416-5641099%2C00.html |archive-date=12 April 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The remaining tickets – individual tickets and tickets to the semi-finals – were released in phase three in November 2006. In June 2007, it was announced that 2&nbsp;million of the 2.4&nbsp;million tickets had been sold in advance of the tournament.<ref name=tickettwo>{{cite web |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/EN/Home/News/061108+dk+tickets.htm |title=Unprecedented demand for RWC 2007 tickets |date=9 November 2006 |access-date=22 November 2006 |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The Worldwide partners for the tournament were [[Société Générale]], [[Garantie Mutuelle des Fonctionnaires|GMF]], [[Électricité de France]], [[Peugeot]], [[Visa International|Visa]] and [[SNCF]],<ref name=worldwide>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=RWC 2007 Worldwide Partners |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/partners/index.html |access-date=14 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312041641/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/partners/index.html |archive-date=12 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and official sponsors include [[Heineken Brewery|Heineken]], Vediorbis, [[Capgemini]], [[Orange SA|Orange]], [[Toshiba]] and [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]].<ref name=sponsors>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=RWC 2007 Sponsors |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/sponsors/index.html |access-date=14 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312041700/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/sponsors/index.html |archive-date=12 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Gilbert (sports equipment)|Gilbert]] provided the tournament balls, with the [[Gilbert Synergie]] match ball used throughout the tournament. This continued Gilbert's involvement with the World Cup, the company having provided the Barbarian (1995), Revolution (1999) and Xact (2003) balls in the past.<ref name=gilbert>{{cite web |publisher=gilbertrugby.com |title=Rugby World Cup 2007 |url=http://www.gilbertrugby.com/graysint/gt.nsf/page/rugbyworldcup2007 |access-date=7 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821050344/http://www.gilbertrugby.com/graysint/gt.nsf/page/rugbyworldcup2007 |archive-date=21 August 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Along with Gilbert, the official suppliers were [[Adidas]], [[Coca-Cola]], [[Clifford Chance]], [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]] and [[McDonald's]].<ref name=suppliers>{{cite web |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |title=RWC 2007 Suppliers |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/suppliers/index.html |access-date=9 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914180752/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/suppliers/index.html |archive-date=14 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The host broadcaster for the event was TF1.<ref name="TVHHB">{{cite web |title=TF1 Website |url=http://www.tf1.fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604002513/http://www.tf1.fr/ |archive-date=4 June 2009 |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2009 }}</ref>

==Squads==
{{Main|2007 Rugby World Cup squads}}
Each country was allowed a squad of 30 players for the tournament. These squads were to be submitted to the International Rugby Board by a deadline of 14 August 2007.<ref name="TongaSquad">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6941210.stm |title=Tonga reveal squad for World Cup |date=10 August 2007 |access-date=2 September 2007 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation }}</ref> Once the squad was submitted a player could be replaced if injured, but would not be allowed to return to the squad.

==Match officials==
The 2007 Rugby World Cup officials were appointed in late-April 2007, with 12 referees and 13 touch judges being chosen to officiate during the pool stage. In the knockout stage the 12 referees also acted as touch judges, with referee appointments being based on performance from previous matches and selection for neutrality. Referees came from seven different nationalities and three of them made their Rugby World Cup debut. The touch judges came from 10 countries. [[Tony Spreadbury]] of England officiated the opening game between [[France national rugby union team|France]] and [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] at the [[Stade de France]]<ref name=england>{{cite web |title=Referees Announced For World Cup |url=http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/26042007/4/referees-announced-world-cup.html |date=26 April 2007 |access-date=2 May 2007 |publisher=Yahoo! Sport UK }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and Irishman [[Alain Rolland]] refereed the final.

{{Col-begin|width=70%}}
{{Col-2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Referees
|-
!Country
!Name
|-
|{{Flagu|Australia}}
|{{Sortname|Stuart|Dickinson}}
|-
|{{Flagu|England}}
|{{Sortname|Wayne|Barnes}}
|-
|{{Flagu|England}}
|{{Sortname|Tony|Spreadbury}}
|-
|{{Flagu|England}}
|{{Sortname|Chris|White|Chris White (referee)}}
|-
|{{Flagu|France|1974}}
|{{Sortname|Joël|Jutge| |Jutge, Joel}}
|-
|{{ru|IRE}}
|{{Sortname|Alan|Lewis|Alan Lewis (rugby union and cricket)}}
|-
|{{ru|IRE}}
|{{Sortname|Alain|Rolland}}
|-
|{{Flagu|New Zealand}}
|{{Sortname|Paul|Honiss}}
|-
|{{Flagu|New Zealand}}
|{{Sortname|Steve|Walsh|Steve Walsh (rugby referee)}}
|-
|{{Flagu|South Africa}}
|{{Sortname|Marius|Jonker}}
|-
|{{Flagu|South Africa}}
|{{Sortname|Jonathan|Kaplan|Jonathan Kaplan (rugby union)}}
|-
|{{Flagu|Wales}}
|{{Sortname|Nigel|Owens}}
|}
{{Col-2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Touch judges
|-
!Country
!Name<ref name=touchjudges>{{cite web |url=http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3943_2088913,00.html |title=Spreadbury to start Rugby World Cup |date=26 April 2006 |access-date=2 May 2007 |publisher=planet-rugby.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929101837/http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3943_2088913,00.html |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|{{Flagu|Argentina}}
|{{Sortname|Federico|Cuesta}}
|-
|{{Flagu|Australia}}
|{{Sortname|Paul|Marks|Paul Marks (referee)}}
|-
|{{Flagu|England}}
|{{Sortname|Dave|Pearson|Dave Pearson (rugby union)}}
|-
|{{Flagu|France|1974}}
|{{Sortname|Christophe|Berdos}}
|-
|{{Flagu|Italy}}
|{{Sortname|Carlo|Damasco}}
|-
|{{ru|IRE}}
|{{Sortname|Simon|McDowell}}
|-
|{{Flagu|New Zealand}}
|{{Sortname|Lyndon|Bray}}
|-
|{{Flagu|New Zealand}}
|{{Sortname|Kelvin|Deaker}}
|-
|{{Flagu|New Zealand}}
|{{Sortname|Bryce|Lawrence}}
|-
|{{Flag|Scotland}}
|{{Sortname|Malcolm|Changleng}}
|-
|{{Flagu|South Africa}}
|{{Sortname|Craig|Joubert}}
|-
|{{Flagu|South Africa}}
|{{Sortname|Mark|Lawrence|Mark Lawrence (rugby union)}}
|-
|{{Flagu|Wales}}
|{{Sortname|Hugh|Watkins|Hugh Watkins (referee)}}
|}
{{Col-end}}

==Pool format==
The competition was contested over 44 days between 20 different nations, over 48 fixtures. The tournament began on 7 September at the [[Stade de France]] with a match between the host nation, France, and Argentina. The tournament culminated at the same venue on 20 October for the final between England and South Africa.

===Pool stage===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:98%"
|-
!width=25%|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A|Pool A]]
!width=25%|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B|Pool B]]
!width=25%|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C|Pool C]]
!width=25%|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D|Pool D]]
|-
|
{{ru|ENG}}<ref name="auto">Automatic qualifier (quarter-finalists in [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]]).</ref><br />
{{ru|SAM}}<br />
{{ru|RSA}}<ref name="auto"/><br />
{{ru|TGA}}<br />
{{ru|USA}}<br />
|
{{ru|AUS}}<ref name="auto"/><br />
{{ru|CAN}}<br />
{{ru|FIJ}}<br />
{{ru|JPN}}<br />
{{ru|WAL}}<ref name="auto"/><br />
|
{{ru|ITA}}<br />
{{ru|NZL}}<ref name="auto"/><br />
{{ru|POR}}<br />
{{ru|ROM}}<br />
{{ru|SCO}}<ref name="auto"/><br />
|
{{ru|ARG}}<br />
{{ru|FRA|1974}}<ref name="auto"/><ref>As well as being an automatic qualifier due to making the quarter-finals in 2003, France are the hosts.</ref><br />
{{ru|GEO}}<br />
{{ru|IRE}}<ref name="auto"/><br />
{{ru|NAM}}<br />
|}

Classification within each pool was based on the following scoring system:
*four match points for a win;
*two for a draw;
*zero for a loss.<ref name=rules>{{cite web |title=Tournament Rules |url=http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/rules/index.html |publisher=rugbyworldcup.com |access-date=14 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914180528/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/rules/index.html |archive-date=14 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[Rugby union bonus points system|Bonus points]], contributing to a team's cumulative match-point score, were awarded in each of the following instances (one match point for each event):
*a team scores four or more [[Try (rugby)|tries]] (regardless of the match result);
*a team loses by seven points (a converted try) or fewer.<ref name="rules"/>

At the end of the pool stage, teams were ranked from first to fifth based on cumulative match points, with the top two nations proceeding to the quarter-finals.

;Tie-breaking criteria
If at the completion of the pool phase two or more Teams were level on Match points, then the following criteria would have been used in the following order until one of the Teams could be determined as the higher ranked:<ref name="rules"/>

:i. The winner of the Match in which the two tied Teams have played each other shall be the higher ranked;
:ii. The Team which has the best difference between points scored for and points scored against in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked;
:iii. The Team which has the best difference between tries scored for and tries scored against in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked;
:iv. The Team which has scored most points in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked;
:v. The Team which has scored most tries in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked;
:vi. Should the tie be unresolved at the conclusion of steps (i) through (v), the Team that is higher ranked in the updated Official [[IRB World Rankings]] on 1 October 2007.

By elevating head-to-head results (rule i) above points difference (rule ii), a notable difference is created to other sports competitions, in which points difference usually determines rank for teams with the same number of match points (table points). These rules allowed the winners of Pools A, B and C to be determined by the results of the third pool matches on the weekend of 22 and 23 September.<ref>[http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/knockout.html rugbyworldcup.com/Fixtures/Knockout Stages.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109141313/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/knockout.html |date=9 January 2009 }} Retrieved 24 September 2007.</ref> Although other teams could theoretically draw level on table points with South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and exceed their points differences at the end of the pool stages, head-to-head results by that time ensured these teams could be declared winners of their respective pools, with a match to spare. This also illustrates the fact that the pool tables do not tell the whole story.

===Knockout stage===
From this stage onwards, the tournament adopted a knockout format comprising eight fixtures: four quarter-finals, two semi-finals, a [[Third place play-off|bronze medal match]], and the final. The winner and runner-up from each of the four pools advanced to the quarter-finals. Pool winners were drawn against opposite pool runners-up in the quarter-finals, e.g. the winner of Pool A faced the runner up of Pool B, and the winner of Pool B faced the runner-up of Pool A.

In the knockout stage, if a match resulted in a draw after 80 minutes of normal play, further periods would be played to determine an outright winner. Initially, there would be two periods of [[extra time]], 10 minutes each way; if there was no winner after this, then play would proceed to a single 10-minute period of "[[sudden death (sport)|sudden death]]". If the contest was unresolved after a total 110 minutes of open play, the winner would be determined by a placekicking competition.<ref name="rules"/>

===Effect on 2011 qualification===
In a change from the format of the [[2003 Rugby World Cup|previous tournament]], the top three teams in each pool would qualify for the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]] in New Zealand;<ref>{{cite web |title=New qualifying structure – 2011 |url=http://sport.iafrica.com/rugby/news/849488.htm |publisher=sport.iafrica.com |access-date=9 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011183637/http://sport.iafrica.com/rugby/news/849488.htm |archive-date=11 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> previously, only the eight quarter-finalists gained an automatic place in the following tournament.

==Pool stage==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|bgcolor="#ccffcc"|Qualified for the quarter-finals
|-
|bgcolor="#ffffcc"|Eliminated, automatic qualification for [[2011 Rugby World Cup|RWC 2011]]
|}
All times French time ([[Central European Summer Time|UTC+2]])

===Pool A===
{{Main|2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A}}

{{:2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A|hide_results=y}}
{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
!width=15%|
!width=25%|
!width=10%|
!width=25%|
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|8 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|ENG}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A#England vs United States|28–10]] ||{{ru|USA}}||[[Stade Félix Bollaert]], [[Lens, Pas-de-Calais|Lens]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|9 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|RSA}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A#South Africa vs Samoa|59–7]] ||{{ru|SAM}}||[[Parc des Princes]], [[Paris]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|12 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|USA}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A#United States vs Tonga|15–25]] ||{{ru|TGA}}||[[Stade de la Mosson]], [[Montpellier]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|14 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|ENG}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A#England vs South Africa|0–36]] ||{{ru|RSA}}||[[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|16 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|SAM}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A#Samoa vs Tonga|15–19]] ||{{ru|TGA}}||[[Stade de la Mosson]], [[Montpellier]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|22 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|RSA}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A#South Africa vs Tonga|30–25]] ||{{ru|TGA}}||[[Stade Félix Bollaert]], [[Lens, Pas-de-Calais|Lens]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|22 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|ENG}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A#England vs Samoa|44–22]] ||{{ru|SAM}}||[[Stade de la Beaujoire]], [[Nantes]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|26 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|SAM}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A#Samoa vs United States|25–21]] ||{{ru|USA}}||[[Stade Geoffroy-Guichard]], [[Saint-Étienne]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|28 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|ENG}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A#England vs Tonga|36–20]] ||{{ru|TGA}}||[[Parc des Princes]], [[Paris]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|30 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|RSA}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A#South Africa vs United States|64–15]] ||{{ru|USA}}||[[Stade de la Mosson]], [[Montpellier]]
|}

===Pool B===
{{Main|2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B}}

{{:2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B|hide_results=y}}
{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
!width=15%|
!width=25%|
!width=10%|
!width=25%|
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|8 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|AUS}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Australia vs Japan|91–3]] ||{{ru|JPN}}||[[Stade de Gerland]], [[Lyon]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|9 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|WAL}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Wales vs Canada|42–17]] ||{{ru|CAN}}||[[Stade de la Beaujoire]], [[Nantes]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|12 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|JPN}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Japan vs Fiji|31–35]] ||{{ru|FIJ}}||[[Stadium de Toulouse]], [[Toulouse]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|15 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|WAL}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Wales vs Australia|20–32]] ||{{ru|AUS}}||[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|16 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|FIJ}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Fiji vs Canada|29–16]] ||{{ru|CAN}}||[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|20 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|WAL}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Wales vs Japan|73–18]] ||{{ru|JPN}}||[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|23 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|AUS}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Australia vs Fiji|55–12]] ||{{ru|FIJ}}||[[Stade de la Mosson]], [[Montpellier]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|25 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|CAN}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Canada vs Japan|12–12]] ||{{ru|JPN}}||[[Stade Chaban-Delmas]], [[Bordeaux]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|29 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|AUS}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Australia vs Canada|37–6]] ||{{ru|CAN}}||[[Stade Chaban-Delmas]], [[Bordeaux]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|29 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|WAL}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Wales vs Fiji|34–38]] ||{{ru|FIJ}}||[[Stade de la Beaujoire]], [[Nantes]]
|}

===Pool C===
{{Main|2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C}}

{{:2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C|hide_results=y}}
{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
!width=15%|
!width=25%|
!width=10%|
!width=25%|
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|8 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|NZL}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C#New Zealand vs Italy|76–14]] ||{{ru|ITA}}||[[Stade Vélodrome]], [[Marseille]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|9 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|SCO}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Scotland vs Portugal|56–10]] ||{{ru|POR}}||[[Stade Geoffroy-Guichard]], [[Saint-Étienne]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|12 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|ITA}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Italy vs Romania|24–18]] ||{{ru|ROM}}||[[Stade Vélodrome]], [[Marseille]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|15 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|NZL}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C#New Zealand vs Portugal|108–13]] ||{{ru|POR}}||[[Stade de Gerland]], [[Lyon]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|18 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|SCO}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Scotland vs Romania|42–0]] ||{{ru|ROM}}||[[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|19 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|ITA}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Italy vs Portugal|31–5]] ||{{ru|POR}}||[[Parc des Princes]], [[Paris]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|23 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|SCO}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Scotland vs New Zealand|0–40]] ||{{ru|NZL}}||[[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|25 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|ROM}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Romania vs Portugal|14–10]] ||{{ru|POR}}||[[Stadium de Toulouse]], [[Toulouse]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|29 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|NZL}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C#New Zealand vs Romania|85–8]] ||{{ru|ROM}}||[[Stadium de Toulouse]], [[Toulouse]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|29 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|SCO}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Scotland vs Italy|18–16]] ||{{ru|ITA}}||[[Stade Geoffroy-Guichard]], [[Saint-Étienne]]
|}

===Pool D===
{{Main|2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D}}

{{:2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D|hide_results=y}}
{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
!width=15%|
!width=25%|
!width=10%|
!width=25%|
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|7 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|FRA|1974}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D#France vs Argentina|12–17]] ||{{ru|ARG}}||[[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|9 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|IRE}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Ireland vs Namibia|32–17]] ||{{ru|NAM}}||[[Stade Chaban-Delmas]], [[Bordeaux]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|11 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|ARG}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Argentina vs Georgia|33–3]] ||{{ru|GEO}}||[[Stade de Gerland]], [[Lyon]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|15 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|IRE}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Ireland vs Georgia|14–10]] ||{{ru|GEO}}||[[Stade Chaban-Delmas]], [[Bordeaux]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|16 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|FRA|1974}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D#France vs Namibia|87–10]] ||{{ru|NAM}}||[[Stadium de Toulouse]], [[Toulouse]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|21 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|FRA|1974}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D#France vs Ireland|25–3]] ||{{ru|IRE}}||[[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|22 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|ARG}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Argentina vs Namibia|63–3]] ||{{ru|NAM}}||[[Stade Vélodrome]], [[Marseille]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|26 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|GEO}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Georgia vs Namibia|30–0]] ||{{ru|NAM}}||[[Stade Félix Bollaert]], [[Lens, Pas-de-Calais|Lens]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|30 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|FRA|1974}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D#France vs Georgia|64–7]] ||{{ru|GEO}}||[[Stade Vélodrome]], [[Marseille]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|30 September 2007||align=right|{{ru-rt|IRE}}||align=center|[[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Ireland vs Argentina|15–30]] ||{{ru|ARG}}||[[Parc des Princes]], [[Paris]]
|}

==Knockout stage==
{{Main|2007 Rugby World Cup knockout stage}}
{{Round8-with third
<!--Date-Place|Team 1|Score 1|Team 2|Score 2 -->
<!-- quarter-finals -->
|6 October – [[Stade Vélodrome|Marseille]]|{{ru|AUS}}|10|'''{{ru|ENG}}'''|'''12'''
|6 October – [[Millennium Stadium|Cardiff]]|{{ru|NZL}}|18|'''{{ru|FRA|1974}}'''|'''20'''
|7 October – [[Stade Vélodrome|Marseille]]|'''{{ru|RSA}}'''|'''37'''|{{ru|FIJ}}|20
|7 October – [[Stade de France|Saint-Denis]]|'''{{ru|ARG}}'''|'''19'''|{{ru|SCO}}|13
<!-- semi-finals -->
|13 October – [[Stade de France|Saint-Denis]]|'''{{ru|ENG}}'''|'''14'''|{{ru|FRA|1974}}|9
|14 October – [[Stade de France|Saint-Denis]]|'''{{ru|RSA}}'''|'''37'''|{{ru|ARG}}|13
<!-- final -->
|20 October – [[Stade de France|Saint-Denis]]|{{ru|ENG}}|6|'''{{ru|RSA}}'''|'''15'''
<!--bronze final -->
|19 October – [[Parc des Princes|Paris]]|{{ru|FRA|1974}}|10|'''{{ru|ARG}}'''|'''34'''
|Consol=Bronze final}}

===Quarter-finals===
{{rugbybox
|date=6 October 2007
|time=15:00
|home={{ru-rt|AUS}}
|score=10–12
|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090324033654/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/round%3D101/match%3D10113/report.html Report]
|away={{ru|ENG}}
|try1=[[Lote Tuqiri|Tuqiri]] 33' c
|con1=[[Stirling Mortlock|Mortlock]] (1/1)
|pen1=[[Stirling Mortlock|Mortlock]] (1/4) 6'
|pen2=[[Jonny Wilkinson|Wilkinson]] (4/7) 22', 25', 51', 59'
|stadium=[[Stade Vélodrome]], [[Marseille]]
|attendance=59,102
|referee=[[Alain Rolland]] ([[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]])
}}
----
{{rugbybox
|date=6 October 2007
|time=21:00
|home={{ru-rt|NZL}}
|score=18–20
|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090324025712/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/round%3D101/match%3D10114/report.html Report]
|away={{ru|FRA|1974}}
|try1=[[Luke McAlister|McAlister]] 17' c<br />[[Rodney So'oialo|So'oialo]] 63' m
|con1=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (1/1)
|pen1=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (2/2) 14', 31'
|try2=[[Thierry Dusautoir|Dusautoir]] 54' c<br />[[Yannick Jauzion|Jauzion]] 69' c
|con2=[[Lionel Beauxis|Beauxis]] (1/1)<br />[[Jean-Baptiste Élissalde|Élissalde]] (1/1)
|pen2=[[Lionel Beauxis|Beauxis]] (2/3) 40+', 46'
|stadium=[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|attendance=71,669
|referee=[[Wayne Barnes]] ([[Rugby Football Union|England]]) }}
----
{{rugbybox
|date=7 October 2007
|time=15:00
|home={{ru-rt|RSA}}
|score=37–20
|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090324032218/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/round%3D101/match%3D10115/report.html Report]
|away={{ru|FIJ}}
|try1=[[Jaque Fourie|Fourie]] 13' m<br />[[John Smit|Smit]] 35' m<br />[[JP Pietersen|Pietersen]] 51' c<br />[[Juan Smith|Smith]] 70' c<br />[[Butch James|James]] 80' c
|con1=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (3/5)
|pen1=[[François Steyn|Steyn]] (1/1) 8'<br />[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (1/2) 63'
|try2=[[Vilimoni Delasau|Delasau]] 57' c<br />[[Sereli Bobo|Bobo]] 59' c
|con2=[[Seremaia Bai|Bai]] (2/2)
|pen2=[[Seremaia Bai|Bai]] (2/2) 26', 44'
|stadium=[[Stade Vélodrome]], [[Marseille]]
|attendance=55,943
|referee=[[Alan Lewis (rugby union and cricket)|Alan Lewis]] ([[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]])
}}
----
{{rugbybox
|date=7 October 2007
|time=21:00
|home={{ru-rt|ARG}}
|score=19–13
|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090324032224/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/round%3D101/match%3D10116/report.html Report]
|away={{ru|SCO}}
|try1=[[Gonzalo Longo|Longo Elía]] 33' c
|con1=[[Felipe Contepomi|F. Contepomi]] (1/1)
|pen1=[[Felipe Contepomi|F. Contepomi]] (3/4) 23', 29', 43'
|drop1=[[Juan Martín Hernández|Hernández]] (1/4) 54'
|try2=[[Chris Cusiter|Cusiter]] 63' c
|con2=[[Chris Paterson|Paterson]] (1/1)
|pen2=[[Dan Parks|Parks]] (1/2) 16'<br />[[Chris Paterson|Paterson]] (1/1) 38'
|stadium=[[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]
|attendance=76,866
|referee=[[Joël Jutge]] ([[French Rugby Federation|France]])
}}

===Semi-finals===
{{rugbybox
|date=13 October 2007
|time=21:00
|home={{ru-rt|ENG}}
|score=14–9
|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090324031013/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/round%3D104/match%3D10117/report.html Report]
|away={{ru|FRA|1974}}
|try1=[[Josh Lewsey|Lewsey]] 2' m
|pen1=[[Jonny Wilkinson|Wilkinson]] (2/3) 47', 75'
|drop1=[[Jonny Wilkinson|Wilkinson]] (1/4) 78'
|pen2=[[Lionel Beauxis|Beauxis]] (3/3) 8', 18', 44'
|stadium=[[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]
|attendance=80,283
|referee=[[Jonathan Kaplan (rugby union)|Jonathan Kaplan]] ([[South African Rugby Union|South Africa]])
}}
----
{{rugbybox
|date=14 October 2007
|time=21:00
|home={{ru-rt|RSA}}
|score=37–13
|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090324031018/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/round%3D104/match%3D10118/report.html Report]
|away={{ru|ARG}}
|try1=[[Fourie du Preez|du Preez]] 7' c<br />[[Bryan Habana|Habana]] (2) 32' c, 76' c<br />[[Danie Rossouw|Rossouw]] 40' c
|con1=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (4/4)
|pen1=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (3/3) 17', 71', 75'
|try2=[[Manuel Contepomi|M. Contepomi]] 45' c
|con2=[[Felipe Contepomi|F. Contepomi]] (1/1)
|pen2=[[Felipe Contepomi|F. Contepomi]] (2/4) 15', 30'
|stadium=[[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]
|attendance=77,055
|referee=[[Steve Walsh (rugby)|Steve Walsh]] (Australia)
}}

===Bronze final===<!-- This match is referred to as the Bronze final, not the third place play-off – see here: http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/knockout.html -->
{{rugbybox
|date=19 October 2007
|time=21:00
|home={{ru-rt|FRA|1974}}
|score=10–34
|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090324025732/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/round%3D104/match%3D10119/report.html Report]
|away={{ru|ARG}}
|try1=[[Clément Poitrenaud|Poitrenaud]] 69' c
|con1=[[Lionel Beauxis|Beauxis]] (1/1)
|pen1=[[Jean-Baptiste Élissalde|Élissalde]] (1/1) 18'
|try2=[[Felipe Contepomi|F. Contepomi]] (2) 28' c, 77' c<br />[[Omar Hasan|Hasan]] 32' c<br />[[Federico Martín Aramburú|Aramburú]] 53' m<br />[[Ignacio Corleto|Corleto]] 65' m
|con2=[[Felipe Contepomi|F. Contepomi]] (3/5)
|pen2=[[Felipe Contepomi|F. Contepomi]] (1/1) 21'
|stadium=[[Parc des Princes]], Paris
|attendance=45,958
|referee=[[Paul Honiss]] ([[New Zealand Rugby Union|New Zealand]])
}}

===Final===
{{Main|2007 Rugby World Cup Final}}
{{rugbybox
|date=20 October 2007
|time=21:00
|home={{ru-rt|ENG}}
|score=6–15
|report=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081216075630/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/home/fixtures/round%3D104/match%3D10120/report.html Report]
|away={{ru|RSA}}
|pen1=[[Jonny Wilkinson|Wilkinson]] (2/2) 13', 44'
|pen2=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (4/4) 7', 16', 40', 51'<br />[[François Steyn|Steyn]] (1/2) 62'
|stadium=[[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]
|attendance=80,430
|referee=[[Alain Rolland]] ([[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]])
}}

==Statistics==
{{main|2007 Rugby World Cup statistics}}

The tournament's top point scorer was South African [[Percy Montgomery]], who scored 105 points. [[Bryan Habana]] scored the most tries, eight in total.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+
|-
!Points!!Name!!Team!!Pos!!Apps!!Tries!!Con!!Pen!!Drop
|-
!{{Sort|1050|105}}
|align="left"|[[Percy Montgomery]]
|align="left"|{{ru|RSA}}||[[Fullback (rugby union)|FB]]||7||2||22||17||0
|-
!{{Sort|910|91}}
|align="left"|[[Felipe Contepomi]]
|align="left"|{{ru|ARG}}||[[Centre (rugby union)|CE]]||7||3||11||18||0
|-
!{{Sort|670|67}}
|align="left"|[[Jonny Wilkinson]]
|align="left"|{{ru|ENG}}||[[Fly-half|FH]]||5||0||5||14||5
|-
!{{Sort|500|50}}
|align="left"|[[Nick Evans (rugby union)|Nick Evans]]
|align="left"|{{ru|NZL}}||[[Fly-half|FH]]/[[Fullback (rugby union)|FB]]|||4||2||20||0||0
|-
!{{Sort|470|47}}
|align="left"|[[Jean-Baptiste Élissalde]]
|align="left"|{{ru|FRA|1974}}||[[Rugby union positions#Scrum-half|SH]]||7||1||12||6||0
|-
!{{Sort|460|46}}
|align="left"|[[Chris Paterson]]
|align="left"|{{ru|SCO}}||[[Wing (rugby union)|WG]]/[[Fly-half|FH]]||5||1||10||7||0
|-
!{{Sort|440|44}}
|align="left"|[[Pierre Hola]]
|align="left"|{{ru|TGA}}||[[Fly-half|FH]]||4||0||7||10||0
|-
!{{Sort|430|43}}
|align="left"|[[Lionel Beauxis]]
|align="left"|{{ru|FRA|1974}}||[[Fly-half|FH]]||6||1||7||8||0
|-
!{{Sort|420|42}}
|align="left"|[[Nicky Little]]
|align="left"|{{ru|FIJ}}||[[Fly-half|FH]]||3||0||9||8||0
|-
!{{Sort|402|40}} <!-- sort key is "401" to place Carter ahead of Giteau (fewer appearances) -->
|align="left"|[[Dan Carter]]
|align="left"|{{ru|NZL}}||[[Fly-half|FH]]||3||1||10||5||0
|-
!{{Sort|401|40}}
|align="left"|[[Matt Giteau]]
|align="left"|{{ru|AUS}}||[[Centre (rugby union)|CE]]||4||3||8||3||0
|-
!{{Sort|400|40}}
|align="left"|[[Bryan Habana]]
|align="left"|{{ru|RSA}}||[[Wing (rugby union)|WG]]||7||8||0||0||0
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Sports}}
* [[2007 Rugby World Cup warm-up tests]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113320/http://www.rwc2007.irb.com/ Official website of the 2007 Rugby World Cup] (Archived)

{{2007 Rugby World Cup}}
{{2007 Rugby World Cup venues}}
{{2007 Rugby World Cup referees}}
{{Rugby Union World Cup}}
{{Rugby07}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:World Cup}}
[[Category:2007 Rugby World Cup| ]]
[[Category:2007 rugby union tournaments for national teams]]
[[Category:Rugby World Cup tournaments|2007]]
[[Category:2007–08 in French rugby union]]
[[Category:2007–08 in Welsh rugby union]]
[[Category:2007–08 in Scottish rugby union]]
[[Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by France]]
[[Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by Scotland]]
[[Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by Wales]]
[[Category:September 2007 sports events in Europe]]
[[Category:October 2007 sports events in Europe]]