Countdown to 2011 Rugby World Cup

With just under a year remaining until the 2011 Rugby World Cup, we take a look at news from countries set to take part in New Zealand.

With just under a year to until the 2011 Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand, we take a look at current happenings from a few countries taking part in next year's event.

Pool A: New Zealand, France, Tonga, Canada, Japan

Former All Black captain Tana Umaga has called on Kiwis to get behind Rugby World Cup 2011 and volunteer for the biggest sporting event New Zealand has ever staged.

On Tuesday, he was joined by other sports stars and well-known New Zealanders in signing up to be volunteers for RWC 2011.

“This is a great event for New Zealand and much, much more than just a sports tournament so I want to do my bit to help make it a success.”

Former Silver Ferns Netball coach Dame Lois Muir, squash star Dame Susan Devoy, former Silver Fern and current assistant coach Waimarama Taumaunu, veteran sports commentator Keith Quinn, former All White Andy Barron, Wellington chef Martin Bosley, television presenter April Ieremia and former Shortland Street actor Richard Knowles are all putting their hands up to be volunteers.

“It's fantastic to see these people from across the spectrum leading by example and volunteering for this special event,” said RWC 2011 Volunteer Ambassador Michael Jones.

“We couldn't put on a successful tournament without thousands of helpers in the stadia, out on the streets, at Fan Zones, and transport hubs so I hope more Kiwis heed their call and sign up by Friday's deadline.

Umaga was All Black captain at the time New Zealand won the bid to host RWC 2011 in November 2005 and was a key member of the team that made New Zealand's final presentation to IRB Council Members on the day the decision was made.

“That was a day I will never forget. I felt really proud to be a New Zealander and I reckon the entire country will be when the tournament kicks-off in less than a year. So I urge New Zealanders to think about volunteering as it will be a wonderful way to share in the excitement and make a difference,” he said.

“It will be an amazing opportunity to get involved and help make this event memorable for New Zealand and the thousands of visitors we welcome next year.”

Pool B: Argentina, England, Scotland, Georgia, Play Off winner

Romania will face Uruguay for the 20th and final place at Rugby World Cup 2011 in Montevideo on November 13, with the return clash to be held two weeks later (November 27) in Bucharest.

The two-leg clash between Los Teros and the Romanian “Oaks” is the final act of the RWC 2011 qualifying process with the winner joining Argentina, England, Scotland and Georgia in Pool B.

Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Italy, Russia, USA

Eagles coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named the USA Select XV for the second annual American Rugby Challenge (ARC) next month in Cordoba, Argentina. With the Rugby World Cup less than a year away, every opportunity to get players international experience is golden.

The USA Select XV will play Tonga A, Canada Selects, and the Argentina Jaguars in three rounds of action. The tournament kicks-off on October 5.

For O'Sullivan and the USA, seeing how players respond to the competition and how they cope with the international tournament format will be critical in the evaluation of players moving towards the World Cup.

“Selecting a Pool without calling on our overseas professional players certainly forces us to dig deep on the depth chart,” O'Sullivan said.

“At the same time, this is a great opportunity for those players who have made the ARC Pool to stake a claim for a place on the end of year tour to Europe and of course, the Pool that will travel to New Zealand for the RWC 2011 in less than a year.”

Pool D: South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Samoa, Namibia

It seems South Africa coach Peter de Villiers just can't keep out of the news with that big mouth of his. Speaking on a South African rugby programme Boots and All, his latest gaffe is sure to be remembered by Samoa – the Boks' opposition in Pool D – before next year's meeting on September 30.

On live television, De Villiers said South Africa were expecting tough games from Tonga and Fiji, with the former not even in their group. Gulp!

This will no doubt give the Samoans and their coaching staff extra ammunition to fire up the players.