WC 2011 - THE VOTE A detailed picture of how the IRB's voting committee decision was made is slowly emerging. Only France, Italy and wider Europe have chosen so far not to declare (officially or otherwise) which way they voted.

South Africa were eliminated at the first ballot, receiving only four votes when they had expected at least six. They received two of their four votes from Argentina and wider Africa. The other two votes South Africa received in the first ballot are thought to be from France but are as yet undeclared.

Japan received seven votes in the first ballot. Six are accounted for, two from both England and Australia and one each from Asia and Canada. The undeclared one came from either Italy or wider Europe.

New Zealand received eight votes in the first ballot, two votes each from Wales, Ireland and Scotland plus one vote from Oceania and one other. That one other is either Italy or wider Europe depending on which of these voted for Japan.

When South Africa came back in with voting rights after being eliminated, their two votes in the second ballot went to New Zealand. Argentina and wider Africa both followed South Africa's lead once eliminated and transferred across to New Zealand's camp for the second ballot.

The other two votes originally for South Africa, thought to be from France, transferred to Japan, making the final tally New Zealand 12 Japan 9.

Reported acrimony between New Zealand and Australia seems now to have been made far too much of. South Africa's "SANZAR solidarity" in voting for New Zealand in the second ballot was a paper tiger because New Zealand did not promise any kind of reciprocation. The suggestion of any form of moral imperative is both abhorrent and ridiculous, hence the need for ballots. It is obvious that Australia voted for Japan solely because they believed it was best for the growth of the game.

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