Organisers of next year’s Rugby World Cup in England said Friday the tournament final would take place an hour earlier than previously scheduled as they announced several changes to the fixture schedule.
England 2015 chiefs said the final at Twickenham, the national rugby stadium in south-west London, would now kick-off at 4pm local time on October 31 instead of 5pm, with all Twickenham quarter-finals and semi-finals also starting an hour earlier.
In a statement, England 2015 said: “Following further consultation with international broadcasters changes to the schedule have been agreed, delivering earlier evening kick-off times for attending fans and a stronger global broadcast platform for rugby’s showcase event.”
All pool matches that were scheduled to kick-off at 5pm local time (1600GMT) will now begin at 4:45pm (1545GMT).
There are further changes, with France’s match against Italy on September 19 now at 8pm and South Africa’s game on the same day kicking off at 4:45pm.
Wales’s game on October 1 is now at 4:45pm with France’s match against Canada later in the day in Milton Keynes, north of London, now at 8pm.
Clocks in the UK go back one hour from British Summer Time to GMT on Sunday, October 26.
Ralf
Guest
And I watch the 2003 semi when Mortlock intercepted and NZ fell to pieces
David Baker
Guest
I suppose there is no time that suits everyone.. In the more central timezones it would also be a little poor for most of Aus and NZ I suppose midnight for those in Perth could be worse Fpr me I prefer kickoffs earlier. A 6pm SA time kickoff is quite good
Johnno
Guest
Only coz kiwi Quade had a moment of bias lol. Didn't know if he was black or gold.
DCNZ
Guest
Outrageous IRB decision again, favouring the All Blacks, its a conspiracy for sure!
E-Meter
Guest
NZ only won 2011 because of favourable refereeing in the final. I'm dipping back in time, but the 1991 semi was sweet. The ABs bamboozled by sparkling running rugby, and 2003 was another memorable semi - 4 more years Byron Kelleher!! We lost the final sadly to England. But as Andrew Denton once said, 'as long as we beat, as long as we beat, as long as we beat NZ'. But back to reality, I honestly can't see us beating the ABs any time soon. The Wallabies will need to be at their absolute best, while the ABs need to have a fumble fest.
felix
Guest
Judging by these comments I'd think its a Kiwi world cup :-/
zer0
Guest
Clearly Richie McCaw has decided that he wants to lift the RWC earlier in the evening this time, and not in the middle of the night (like last time).
zer0
Guest
EDIT: Deleted as post was supposed to be a separate comment, not a reply.
Justin3
Guest
The final you couldn't make ;-)
Garth
Guest
Please do! Conceding a penalty that late in the final reeks of choking.
PiratesRugby
Guest
So you agree the ABs have choked, it's just that the WBs have choked too? Insecure much? Shall I go and replay 2003? That Spencer pass to Mortlock was a beauty. Four more years? No, eight actually. In 2011 the WBs were not the favourites, even in our own press. Whereas the ABs are always certainties yet they strangely underperform.
Marty
Guest
right from the kickoff going out on the full :)
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
Actually Oz have choked more times than Kiwis in recent history. Every month, I re watch that 2011 semi with NZ versus Oz on my Ipad... Makes me happy....
The Bleat
Guest
Kiwis won't need to stay up to watch the Wallabies in the final!
PiratesRugby
Guest
Kiwis are such good sports. Australia has won the RWC twice and our fans just want a team for 2015 that will be competitive, get out of the pool stage and might go all the way. The ABs have won twice and their fans are miffed that we won't properly acknowledge their upcoming triumph. Right... Look, the ABs are the best team in the world with an unrivalled history of success... except at the RWC where they have choked spectacularly. Deal with it.
Turnover
Roar Guru
Hope so!
rek
Guest
"Only one 3 times in a row"
moaman
Guest
then it will be.. "Only won once outside NZ".....followed by......
DMac
Guest
There's just a different monkey now - never won outside nz ;-)
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
ok. Got mysky - will record them or watch on 30 minute delay so can fast forward the boring bits like normal... Will block leave days out closer to the time Really interesting in how NZ play with the monkey off their back....