Since the RFU was established in 1871, international rugby exchanges had been developed based on test matches where nations with the same level of skills repeatedly toured and invited each other. Rugby backward nations, even though they got stronger, could hardly have matches with the eight IRB member nations to avoid making tight schedules based on the focus on the amateur spirit.
Rugby in various nations, such as New Zealand, South Africa, and France, was opened to professional players during the late 1970's, which increased an atmosphere to hold the RWC. The four nations in Britain finally agreed to this atmosphere, resulting in holding the first RWC in 1987. Co-hosted by New Zealand as the main site and Australia, the first RWC successfully ended with 16 nations invited by the IRB. The NZ All Blacks, much talked about as the champion, finally claimed the first title gracing the first RWC. The Japan National Rugby Union Team was invited to represent Asia and fought well, while ending with defeats against all of Australia, England, and the United States. The 2nd RWC was held in five nations including Britain and France, with England as the main site in 1991. Australia became the champion out of all 16 nations that got through the qualifying round. The Japan national team led by the head coach Hiroaki Shukuzawa won a sweeping victory over Zimbabwe, while this victory has been the only one that Japan won in the RWC. At this 2nd RWC, the anti-doping provisions were incorporated into the competition rules. Afterward, doping testing was introduced to major rugby games held in Japan.
The third RWC was held in South Africa in 1995, while the local South Africa national team became the champion. In this world cup, Japan went down to a humiliating defeat by the All Blacks 145-17.
Entering to the world cup era, world rugby took a shift toward the win-at-all costs attitude. This naturally opened the way to professionalization.
Rugby in various nations, such as New Zealand, South Africa, and France, was opened to professional players during the late 1970's, which increased an atmosphere to hold the RWC. The four nations in Britain finally agreed to this atmosphere, resulting in holding the first RWC in 1987. Co-hosted by New Zealand as the main site and Australia, the first RWC successfully ended with 16 nations invited by the IRB. The NZ All Blacks, much talked about as the champion, finally claimed the first title gracing the first RWC. The Japan National Rugby Union Team was invited to represent Asia and fought well, while ending with defeats against all of Australia, England, and the United States. The 2nd RWC was held in five nations including Britain and France, with England as the main site in 1991. Australia became the champion out of all 16 nations that got through the qualifying round. The Japan national team led by the head coach Hiroaki Shukuzawa won a sweeping victory over Zimbabwe, while this victory has been the only one that Japan won in the RWC. At this 2nd RWC, the anti-doping provisions were incorporated into the competition rules. Afterward, doping testing was introduced to major rugby games held in Japan.
The third RWC was held in South Africa in 1995, while the local South Africa national team became the champion. In this world cup, Japan went down to a humiliating defeat by the All Blacks 145-17.
Entering to the world cup era, world rugby took a shift toward the win-at-all costs attitude. This naturally opened the way to professionalization.