Inside U.K. Excitement Heats Up As Rugby World Cup Nears By STEVE HILL	フレームで見る  英文をプリントする  脚注をプリントする
ラグビーＷ杯開催で盛り上がる英国 来月1日にウェールズで第4回ラグビー・ワールドカップが開幕します。年々規模が大きくなる W 杯、今回は延べ30億人が試合を観戦し、1兆6,000億円もの経済効果が予想されています。出場国も強豪ぞろいで、ラグビー発祥の地、英国はおおいに盛り上がっています。

It is the fourth biggest sporting event in the world. It is expected to be broadcast to more than 140 countries with a cumulative audience in excess of 3 billion people. And it could generate over £800 million (¥160 billion), indirectly creating 2,500 jobs.

No, I'm not talking about the Olympics, the Soccer World Cup or the World Championships in athletics. I'm getting ready for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in Wales Oct. 1.

The sport of rugby union is more than 100 years old, but this will be only the fourth time that the leading nations have pitted their wits against each other in this kind of tournament. And the growing interest in the sport and its widening popularity is evident from a quick glance at television viewing figures for the first three competitions.

In 1987, the first tournament was staged jointly by New Zealand and Australia. Broadcast to just 17 countries, it attracted an audience of just 300 million. Four years later, the competition staged by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France was broadcast to 103 countries and watched by some 1.75 billion. This increased to 124 nations and 2.67 billion people for the 1995 event hosted by South Africa.

The forthcoming World Cup is therefore going to be the biggest and possibly the best so far. With any luck, it should be a success off the pitch as well as on. Some 25,000 overseas supporters are expected to spend time here in Britain, Ireland and France following the fortunes of their home countries. They will benefit any number of hotels and bars, while the transport industry -- air, train, taxi, coach and car rental services — will be stretched to the limit.

The eyes of the world are on Wales, which has a golden opportunity to show off the best it has to offer in terms of hotels, tourist attractions and areas of outstanding natural beauty, in addition to featuring the thrills of the rugby field. The benefits of successfully hosting an event of this magnitude could be felt for many years to come, and it is a chance the nation as a whole is determined to take.

It's an indication of how far the rugby gospel has spread in recent years that lining up with big fish New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are several unlikely minnows.

How many people, for example, know that the sport is played in the South American country of Uruguay — although admittedly by very few? However there are 1,000 or so enthusiasts, mainly in the Montevideo area, and the na tional team has come through a lengthy qualification procedure, defeating Portugal and Morocco on the way, to take their place in the finals.

Also there are Spain, Tonga and Namibia, teams that have a wonderful chance to catch the imagination of the sporting public while the worldwide spotlight is upon them. They do not expect to win the tournament. Just one victory in one game would be a major triumph for them. But they hope that their enthusiasm and skills will attract television coverage and headlines back home, and en courage more people to start playing.

So, who will win the event? The New Zealand All Blacks, traditionally such a great rugby power, are the favorites, thanks to stirring performances in the last year. But the Australian team has closed the gap and could seriously challenge the All Blacks for the honors.

The South African team, which won the 1995 tournament (Who can ever forget the photos of Nelson Mandela, wearing a Springbok rugby shirt, presenting the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar?) are not in the best of form right now but should not be dismissed.

And the hosts are determined to put on a good show in front of their fanatical supporters and will be a tough match for anyone. Their meeting with Japan, on Oct. 9, promises to be a game to remember, particularly now that the Cherry Blossoms are in such good form following their success in the summer Pacific Rim tournament.

England will also be a difficult team to beat on home soil, with the public expecting a last-four finish at the very least.

It's certainly going to be a hectic month for many people. In all, 41 matches are due to take place at 18 different venues, from the magnificent and impressive new Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and Stradey Park in Llanelli, to Wrexham (N. Wales), Huddersfield in northern England, Glasgow, Belfast and five French sites.

More than two million tickets will be printed for the games. And spectators are hoping that some of the thrills that characterized previous tournaments will be repeated here. Many eyes will be on All Black star Jonah Lomu, a man who made an impression in South Africa four years ago that matched his immense physique, speed and power.

One thing is for sure — I'm glad I will be sitting at home watching it all on television rather than trying to tackle him!

Shukan ST: Sept. 17, 1999

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