Record Rugby World Cup Crowd Watches New Zealand v Argentina

Organisers of the Rugby World Cup 2015 could not have dreamt of such an exciting start to the tournament.

Less than 24 hours after England beat Fiji 35-11 in the opening game at Twickenham on Friday night, the Japan team played the game of their lives and caused what must surely be one of the greatest upsets in Rugby Union history, by beating two-time Rugby World Cup champions South Africa 32-34 in the very last play of the match.

World Rugby Chairman, Bernard Lapasset, said, “This has been a weekend where rugby has captivated and inspired a nation and a new generation of fans and players and what better way to cap it than with a Rugby World Cup record crowd. Great people make great events and the stars of this tournament so far, alongside the players, have been the wonderful fans, the 21st Rugby World Cup team.”

Rugby World Cup 2015 also entered the record books on Sunday when 89,019 fans attended Wembley Stadium for the New Zealand v Argentina game, breaking the record for the biggest ever crowd at a Rugby World Cup match.

The previous record of 82,957 at the Rugby World Cup 2003 Final (when England beat Australia) was broken by Match 8 in one of England's most iconic sporting venues where the winners of Rugby World Cup 2011, New Zealand, took on Argentina in a thrilling match.

New Zealand, the current world champions, won the match 26 - 16.

England Rugby 2015 Managing Director, Stephen Brown, said, “We are delighted to see such a fantastic crowd at Wembley Stadium and secure a record Rugby World Cup match attendance with over 89,000 fans enjoying New Zealand v Argentina. The opening weekend has been a true celebration of Rugby with full venues, exciting rugby and a real buzz in and around the host cities with over 100,00 people enjoying our official Fanzones and we're looking forward to more of the same over the coming weeks.”

Rugby World Cup 2015 has already become the biggest Tournament to date selling over 2.35 million tickets, beating the 2.25 million tickets sold in France 2007.

See also: Pictures from 2015 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.