Bernard Lapasset

The Webb Ellis Cup was the star attraction at a special Rugby event at the United Nations in New York this morning. With 150 days to go until Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off in New Zealand, Rugby’s ultimate prize was presented to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon by International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset. UN and IRB officials pose with the Webb Ellis Trophy at the UN Headquarters Ambassadors representing the 20 Rugby World Cup 2011 participating nations, including UN Development...Read Full Story

The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced on Tuesday that rules governing the breakdown, which some pundits say are ruining the sport, would remain in force but that a laws review would start in 2010.As things stand the tackler at the breakdown is, provided he then gets on to his feet, allowed to compete for the ball.Critics allege this has swung the balance too far in favour of the defending side, with referees more likely to now penalise the attacking team for ensuing ruck infringements...Read Full Story

The weekend clash here between the All Blacks and the Wallabies demonstrated Japan's enthusiasm for rugby in the run-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup it will host, the sport's supremo said Monday.A near-capacity 44,500 spectators watched the year's fourth and final Bledisloe Cup match at the National Stadium on Saturday as New Zealand beat Australia 32-19, stretching their trans-Tasman winning streak to seven Tests."It was a great occasion, a wonderful atmosphere and a superb rugby match...Read Full Story

Preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup are on track despite financial uncertainties arising from the global economic crisis, organisers said on Wednesday.New Zealand will be hosting the tournament for the first time since the inaugural event in 1987, and top International Rugby Board (IRB) officials are in the country to review progress."I'm sure New Zealand 2011 will deliver yet another hugely successful and memorable chapter in the Rugby World Cup story," IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset...Read Full Story

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced a crackdown on scrum infringements and illegal tackles ahead of this weekend's internationals.This week saw the global governing body stage a meeting of the world's top referees in London and chief among their concerns when it came to Test match rugby union were the issues of reset and collapsed scrums and illegal, off-the-ball tackles.Now the IRB has promised stricter policing of illegal clearing out of players off the ball at the ruck and...Read Full Story