Last Friday, the 10th Rugby World Cup kicked off in France as the two favourites, New Zealand, and the host nation, faced each other at the Stade de France in Paris. It was a fiercely contested match, but New Zealand were unable to spoil the party as France claimed a 27-13 win over the kiwis. While the tournament’s early stages have yet to yield any major upsets, they have been brimming with controversy, especially concerning some contentious decisions made by the officials on the field.
England started their World Cup campaign against Argentina at the Stade de Marseille. The pre-match atmosphere was one of uncertainty, given England’s somewhat turbulent recent years on the rugby scene. However, they defied the sceptics and delivered a commanding performance, securing a convincing 27-10 win. Tom Curry was sent off in the first five minutes after a debatable decision from the referee. It saw him sent to the stands until it was confirmed from the off-field officials if it was deemed an unsafe tackle.
History of the Webb Ellis Cup:
The inaugural Rugby World Cup took place in 1987, following years of negotiation between New Zealand and Australia to bring this prestigious competition to life. New Zealand, eventually serving as the first host nation, welcomed 16 participating teams. Remarkably, it was New Zealand who clinched the inaugural Rugby World Cup title, and as of the present day, they share the honour of holding three world cup victories alongside South Africa.
Today, the tournament has expanded to include twenty nations competing vigorously over the course of six thrilling weeks. This tournament unfolds in two stages: first, the pool stage, followed by the intense knockout rounds. The teams’ placement within these stages is determined by their positions in the World Rankings. The four highest-ranked teams are allocated to pools A through D, followed by the next four highest-ranked teams, and so on. The remaining slots in each pool are filled by hard-fought qualifiers.
In a significant and progressive move starting in 2021, gender designations were removed from the titles of both the men’s and women’s World Cups, reflecting a more inclusive approach. Henceforth, all World Cups, regardless of gender, are named “Rugby World Cup.”
The coveted trophy itself bears the name of William Webb Ellis; the legendary figure credited with conceiving the sport when he famously picked up the ball during a football match.
Safety in the workplace is just as important as safety on the pitch:
Rugby stands out as one of the most physically demanding and intense contact sports, emphasising the critical importance of player protection and safety. This same commitment to safety parallels the priorities of many companies within the industries we serve. Their employees frequently find themselves working at significant heights and handling hazardous materials.
At EWFM, we offer Access Systems designed to safeguard employees, whether they’re working at heights or on the ground. Within our current range, we feature Folding Stair Units, Folding Platforms, and Gantry Stand Kits. These solutions are crafted to provide drivers and operators with secure access when navigating between gantries and tankers. Additionally, our newly introduced Mobile Step Unit serves as the ideal tool for workers who need to access various heights, particularly in limited ground space scenarios.
As part of our commitment to diversify our product range, our latest additions offer valuable support to employees tasked with moving bulky and heavy cargo. The Swing Arm and Roll Over Pallet gate systems are strategically engineered to streamline the process of loading and unloading large and weighty boxes.
For more in-depth information about our comprehensive range of Access Systems, we encourage you to reach out to our dedicated sales team. They are eager to assist you in identifying the perfect solution that prioritises the safety of your employees in every working environment. Your team’s safety is our top priority, always.
Contact information:
Tel : +44 (0) 1763 248650
Email : [email protected]
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