2011 Rugby World Cup, New Zealand

Dunedin's new stadium, named Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza, was completed in August 2011 and was used instead of Carisbrook.
Draw
Seeding of teams for the 2011 World Cup was based on their respective IRB World Rankings. The top four at the 2007 Rugby World Cup (South Africa, England, Argentina, and France) were not therefore allocated top pool spots, but "the rankings are now very well established and provide us with a credible and succinct way of seeding teams for the rugby World Cup pool draw", according to Rugby World Cup Ltd (RWCL) chairman Syd Millar.