Fiji left the last World Cup with a glowing reputation having knocked out Wales in the pool stages before pushing the eventual champions South Africa to the brink
Canada are one of the stalwarts of World Cup rugby, being one of only three countries outside the Six Nations and The Rugby Championship powerhouses to feature in every tournament (alongside Japan and Romania) and have consistently proven themselves as one of the second tier's most combative of opponents.
In a little under eight years time, the Rugby World Cup circus will pitch it's tents on unchartered territory.
Historically, major sporting clashes between the USA and Russia were once played out on an ice hockey rink.
So, the party's over for another 4 years and we can get back to the constant cycle of 'building for the World Cup' again.
As dawn breaks on 2012 and 2011 fades into the past, it is a time to reflect on what has been a fantastic year for the world of rugby.
For the first time in their history, they failed to reach the Quarter-Finals but by only the narrowest of margins as they let two games they could/should have won slip from their grasp.
There was no way I was missing this world cup! Even if it meant bankruptcy, which luckily it didn't, I would be there. I've always wanted to go to New Zealand and having a huge love for rugby I saw it as a perfect opportunity to do both.
Over the years, England have been graced with players who sacrifice a lot for their team and put in 110% every time they take to the field.
Reports from the review of England's disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign in New Zealand have been leaked.
This was the question put to me by an old school friend during the 2011 World Cup semi final between Les Bleues and the heavily-fancied Welsh.
During the recent Rugby World Cup there was a lot of talk on how the smaller or tier two and three nations just couldn't compete against the top ranked or tier one nations.
Rugby World Cup - Talking Rugby Union's Team of the Tournament
New Zealand ended 24 years of hurt as they edged out France at Eden Park, to win the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand - The road to the final
The New Zealand All Blacks go into Sunday's Rugby World Cup 2011 final as hot favourites following an impressive performance which has seen them win five games in a row including a pool match victory over France earlier in the tournament.
Australia secured the bronze medal with a thoroughly deserved 21-18 victory over Wales at Eden Park.
With the Springboks out of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and Peter de Villiers' coaching contract coming to an end at the end of December 2011 who will be the next Springbok coach?
Australia take on Wales in Friday's bronze medal match at Eden Park in Auckland. The two nations meet after suffering semi-final defeats to New Zealand and France respectively.
Well, I guess that's it. I'm no longer writing my blog in a luxurious plane seat bound for a foreign country, nor am I writing you from a hotel room with 2 bedrooms, a living room and water front views.