We trained for hours in baking sun - then lost!

AS England ramps up their preparation for this year’s Rugby World Cup, I can’t help thinking and remembering what is was like being involved in the first-ever World Cup and all the negotiations it took before getting the agreement for it finally to go ahead.

- JEFF PROBYN

There were a number of suggestions put forward as to the formation of a Rugby World Cup competition mostly by people from outside the game, but they were all turned down by the International Rugby Board (IRB, now World Rugby) even though Australia and New Zealand were very much in favour of creating the competition. 

In 1985 at an IRB meeting in France, it was put to a vote which then decided it was time for Rugby Union to have a World Cup, and organised for it to take place in Australia and New Zealand in 1987, just two years later. This was partly because of the attempt to set up a ‘Kerry Packer style’ professional World League, as it would help all foundation union IRB members to increase their exposure and profits.

Of those eight countries, six voted for the World Cup to take place, Australia, New Zealand, England, France (who were in favour only if countries from outside the IRB were invited to take part), Wales and South Africa even though South Africa knew that because of their political situation they would not be able to take part.

Just Ireland and Scotland voted against it as they thought (probably correctly) that it was the first step to a fully professional game. The decision was a massive one as it kept control of the competition in the hands of the IRB and not private businesses or media moguls.