The Rugby World Cup is coming, and coming fast. The first of the pool matches kicks off on the 18th of September, and from there it’s a tussle to see who will enter the knockout stage, progress through to the quarter-finals and semi-finals and grab a coveted spot in the grand final to take place on the 31st of October at Twickenham.
For the plethora of rugby fans in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s getting a little late in the game to be making plans to follow your team, but there are still options. Some tickets to pool matches are still available - and if you’ve already got your match tickets sorted, it’s high time you started thinking about travel bookings. Here’s a quick guide to making a rugby-lover’s itinerary for the pool games, with some options for a UK Airport car rental so you won’t have to miss a match.
Australian fans RWC 2015
Australia has found themselves in Pool A for this tournament, with worthy adversaries England, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay. Their schedule for the pool matches is as follows:
- 23rd September: Australia vs Fiji at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.
- 27th September: Australia vs Uruguay at Villa Park, Birmingham.
- 3rd October: Australia vs England at Twickenham Stadium, London.
- 10th October: Australia vs Wales at Twickenham Stadium, London
If you’re planning on being a camp follower, London is probably the best place to start. Pick up a Heathrow car rental and head off to Cardiff, then Birmingham. You’ll have time for a bit of scenic UK road tripping between games! If you’d rather head straight to Cardiff, you can get your wheels at Cardiff Airport too. Then head back to London for the final two pool matches conveniently both held at the legendary Twickenham - you might even want to stick around for some sightseeing if Australia ends up in one or two of the various finals.
New Zealand fans RWC 2015
The Land of the Long White Cloud is in Pool C for this year’s World Cup, against tough opponents Argentina, Tonga, Georgia and Namibia. Their calendar is looking like this:
- 20th September: New Zealand vs Argentina at Wembley Stadium, London.
- 24th September: New Zealand vs Namibia at Olympic Stadium, London.
- 2nd October: New Zealand vs Georgia at Millenium Stadium, Cardiff.
- 9th October: New Zealand vs Tonga at St James’ Park, Newcastle.
With the first two matches happening in London, a Heathrow car rental is again your best bet. Heading from there up to Cardiff and Newcastle makes a nice scenic route, and with a week between the two there’s plenty of time to stop in the historic cities and beautiful national parks along the way. Try to get in a hike in the spectacular Peak District, and end your journey in Newcastle or head back to London for some finals action. Let’s face it, you’ll probably have a horse in that particular race.
South Africa fans RWC 2015
Pool B is South Africa’s round-robin competition, and it is an interesting matchup with other members of the pool including Samoa, Scotland, Japan and the United States. Here’s when they hit the field:
- 19th September: South Africa vs Japan at Falmer Stadium, Brighton.
- 26th September: South Africa vs Samoa at Villa Park, Birmingham.
- 3rd October: South Africa vs Scotland at St James’ Park, Newcastle.
- 7th October: South Africa vs United States at Olympic Stadium, London.
This widespread itinerary prescribes a neat loop, from Brighton in the south, up to Birmingham and Newcastle and back down to London Town. Pick up your car hire at Gatwick Airport, just half an hour from Brighton and London both, and you’re sorted. From there it’s a leisurely road trip to catch each game, with plenty of opportunity between each to take in as much of the United Kingdom as possible. We know Scotland isn’t hosting any matches, but it’s spectacular, and you might as well head there while visiting the Geordies in Newcastle.
Less than two months to go until the Rugby World Cup 2015. Get amongst it!
Flying through the Middle East on the way to the tournament? Grab a Dubai Airport Car Rental for your stopover.
Flying through the Middle East on the way to the tournament? Grab a Dubai Airport Car Rental for your stopover.
