The Rugby World Cup, held every four years, is organized the International Rugby Board (IRB), and was initially suggested by the Australian and the New Zealand Football Unions. The first tournament, which is one of the largest international sporting competitions in the world, was held in 1987.

The inaugural Rugby World Cup, with teams from 16 countries competing, was held in Australia and New Zealand in May and June 1987, the All Blacks (New Zealand) winning the first competition. There were qualifying matches involving all the other International Rugby Board member unions over a two-year period.