Millar hails 'marvellous festival'

 

Delighted: Dr Syd Millar

PARIS, 8 October - There are still four crucial matches left to play before the IRB Rugby World Cup champions are crowned but organisers couldn't be happier.

IRB and RWCL chairman Dr Syd Millar described the tournament on Monday as a "marvellous festival of rugby football", one that has exceeded all expectations. Attendance figures have increased, broadcast records broken and the host nation has embraced the tournament with vigour.

"The population of France joined in to make this a marvellous occasion," Millar said. "The support for the smaller nations has been excellent. There have been no hassles, no problems, no arrests. I think that in Marseille the crowd were trying to get the gendarmes to scrum for them.

"We are very happy. This justifies our decision to give them (France) the world cup."

Millar also paid tribute to the less-heralded rugby nations, who have shown a real development in their skill and dedication to the game.

Surprising results


"There have been some surprising results, it's been interesting," he said. "The surprising results are good for the competition and good for the game."

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Lapasset was equally satisfied with the tournament.

"Everybody agrees this world cup has really been up to the mark of the world's largest sporting events," he said. "In general, everything has been a great success."

Lapasset said the organising committee was committed to integrating the teams, visitors and local population to create an all-encompassing rugby atmosphere.

"We worked hard on this (integration) program so everyone can experience this celebration of rugby," he said. "We tried to encourage teams to participate and it has been wonderful.

"So many French people who were not interested in rugby before have really embraced rugby and were interested in this tournament."

Lapasset said he was delighted to report an increase in the involvement of women in rugby, with the stadiums "filled with women".

"There are also a greater number of ladies involved," he said. "It is no longer a man's game, women are participating in rugby."

RNS ci/lc/mr