Contrary to popular belief, the rugby world cup, history of rugby world cup was no easy competition that came about. Paradoxically, it faced major resistance from some nations that compete in it today, 23 years after its inception!

Today, although this competition enjoys the position of being among the three top international sports events, following the Olympics and soccer world cup, the story of its struggle began much before that.

Many suggest that former player turned referee Harold Tolhurst had made such suggestions of a league of nations coming together to compete for a world cup. If he had suggested it, no one took any cognizance of that.

Interestingly, the Rugby League continued to have their League of Nations championships and continue to do so even as international world teams participate in the world cup every four years.

After years of bickering and fighting and opposition from many nations, in the early 1980s the IRB sat down to discuss the possibility of actually having a world cup sort of event. It was in a meeting in 1983 that Australia aggressively campaigned to being the host nation of the first games, should there be one. New Zealand jumped on the bandwagon and made a call to arms.

Coming back to the IRB World Cup, years of indecision and opposition followed and finally in the beginning of the 80s, the IRB got down to discussing a chance of holding something like a championship of countries in the latter half of the 80s. It was then that Australia swiftly put in its bid to be the first nation to host the inaugural cup. Not one to be left out, New Zealand joined them in a bid to co-host the event.

In 1983, in a meeting with member nations, Australia made its intention clear to host the first ever world cup of rugby if the decision were to be taken. New Zealand partnered them to co-host it.

Although it was banned to take part in international sports because of the apartheid controversy, it had the foresight to see the greatness of such a sporting event. Eventually, some of the other opposing members gave in and the decision was taken to hold the first world cup for rugby in 1987 in Australia and New Zealand.

16 countries from around the globe took part in exciting matches to enter the racy finals. All the nations that were participating had been invited by the IRB. New Zealand won the match against France in the final match to take home the trophy.

From the second tourney on, in 1991, much like in the way nations participate in a qualifying round for the soccer world cup, the IRB held a qualifying tournament that saw 32 nations participate!

However, it was the 1995 World Series that left a mark and propelled it to a top world sporting competition. Eight years after its inception, the games came to South Africa, each match to be played within the nation, a first for the competition.

As if by fate, the home team beat New Zealand in a sensational final to walk away with the cup. It was a moment of glory for the sport and for the series. The then South African president Nelson Mandela handed over the cup to the team in a historical win that can only be described as nothing short of a miracle.

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