Stadium:MK hosted 3 Pool Matches of the Rugby World Cup 2015, and it was the adopted home- ground for two teams, Samoa and Fiji, who trained at the newly refurbished ground at Woughton Pavilion and undertook gym work at Bletchley Leisure Centre.
Stadium:MK buzzed with many stands and activities organized for the expectant fans before entering the arena. Large numbers of volunteers handed out free team national flags and clapper boards prior to each of the games, along with smiles and a warm welcome and adding to the carnival atmosphere were musicians and street performers creating even more excitement. Matches were attended by people from all over the World who had managed to obtain tickets and many friendships were made.
The first match was held on Thursday 1st October between France and Canada. A record crowd of 28,145, including Prince Harry, watched a match fiercely contested in the first half, but with France taking control in the second, running out 5 tries in total and winning 41-18. A huge crowd had also watched the match from the Fanzone on the big screen in Campbell Park.
Japan having caused upset in their opening match by beating South Africa 32-34, meant Stadium:MK took centre stage of the RWC 2015 on the afternoon of Saturday 3rd October. The Japanese team stepped onto the pitch in front of another record-beating stadium crowd of 29,019 to face Samoa. The Brave Blossoms won a second game at a World Cup for the first time. They had lost 11 of their previous 14 meetings with Samoa but this time won 26-5. This match drew enormous numbers of English fans to don Japanese shirts and in some cases at the Fanzone to dress in the country’s national ‘kimono-style’ costume. This match was watched by over 25 million Japanese back home and over 50 million world-wide, an international record for a broadcast.
The final match held in Milton Keynes on Tuesday evening 6th October was Fiji v Uruguay, by this time neither of the teams were going to progress further in the tournament, but this did not dampen the spirit or enthusiastic reception they received at Stadium:MK. The third in a row record-breaking crowd brought the total number of attendances for the three matches to 87,356. The crowd, including Fijian President, Epeli Nailatikau, watched Fiji win comfortably 47-15. Uruguay had not scored a World Cup try since 2003, but the underdogs were cheered all the way when Carlos Arboleya and Agustin Ormaechea crossed the line in each half.
Stadium:MK buzzed with many stands and activities organized for the expectant fans before entering the arena. Large numbers of volunteers handed out free team national flags and clapper boards prior to each of the games, along with smiles and a warm welcome and adding to the carnival atmosphere were musicians and street performers creating even more excitement. Matches were attended by people from all over the World who had managed to obtain tickets and many friendships were made.
The first match was held on Thursday 1st October between France and Canada. A record crowd of 28,145, including Prince Harry, watched a match fiercely contested in the first half, but with France taking control in the second, running out 5 tries in total and winning 41-18. A huge crowd had also watched the match from the Fanzone on the big screen in Campbell Park.
Japan having caused upset in their opening match by beating South Africa 32-34, meant Stadium:MK took centre stage of the RWC 2015 on the afternoon of Saturday 3rd October. The Japanese team stepped onto the pitch in front of another record-beating stadium crowd of 29,019 to face Samoa. The Brave Blossoms won a second game at a World Cup for the first time. They had lost 11 of their previous 14 meetings with Samoa but this time won 26-5. This match drew enormous numbers of English fans to don Japanese shirts and in some cases at the Fanzone to dress in the country’s national ‘kimono-style’ costume. This match was watched by over 25 million Japanese back home and over 50 million world-wide, an international record for a broadcast.
The final match held in Milton Keynes on Tuesday evening 6th October was Fiji v Uruguay, by this time neither of the teams were going to progress further in the tournament, but this did not dampen the spirit or enthusiastic reception they received at Stadium:MK. The third in a row record-breaking crowd brought the total number of attendances for the three matches to 87,356. The crowd, including Fijian President, Epeli Nailatikau, watched Fiji win comfortably 47-15. Uruguay had not scored a World Cup try since 2003, but the underdogs were cheered all the way when Carlos Arboleya and Agustin Ormaechea crossed the line in each half.
