<P> The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby Union World Cup . New Zealand and Australia agreed to co-host the tournament . New Zealand hosted 20 matches -- 17 pool stage matches , two quarter - finals and the final . Australia as the junior partner hosted 12 matches -- seven pool matches , two quarter - finals and both semi-finals . The event was won by co-hosts New Zealand who were the strong favourites , and won all their matches comfortably . France were losing finalists , and Wales surprise third - place winners : Australia , having been second favourites , finished fourth after conceding crucial tries in the dying seconds of both the semi-final against France and the third - place play - off against Wales . </P>
<P> The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby Union World Cup . New Zealand and Australia agreed to co-host the tournament . New Zealand hosted 20 matches -- 17 pool stage matches , two quarter - finals and the final . Australia as the junior partner hosted 12 matches -- seven pool matches , two quarter - finals and both semi-finals . The event was won by co-hosts New Zealand who were the strong favourites , and won all their matches comfortably . France were losing finalists , and Wales surprise third - place winners : Australia , having been second favourites , finished fourth after conceding crucial tries in the dying seconds of both the semi-final against France and the third - place play - off against Wales . </P>
where was the 1987 rugby world cup held
where was the 1987 rugby world cup held
New Zealand Australia
New Zealand Australia