By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Hesketh]Paul Hesketh
The Rugby World Cup 2011 starts on the 9 September until the 23 October 2011. The following article is an outline of the teams that will be featuring from pool C.
Australia - The Wallabies
Australia are currently ranked second in the IRB World Rankings, they are commonly known as the Wallabies, without question they are a team steeped in history and success. Australia have competed in all six Rugby World Cups, having appeared in the final three times, winning the World Cup on two occasions, in 1991 against England, and in 1999 against France; only South Africa have won the World Cup twice since the inaugural tournament. At the 2007 World Cup Australia crashed out of the competition at the quarter-final stage, this significant early round exit has led many to describe it as Australia's worst ever World Cup performance. The years since have seen the team rebuild with youth at its core; when the 2011 World Cup begins Australia will be ready with a squad that is youthful and experienced. Australia too many will be potential winners, being a southern hemisphere team the conditions are favourable, the squad strong and crowd support will be plenty, all factors that the wallabies will feed off. Star player: Matthew Giteau, Head Coach: Robbie Deans
Italy- Azzurri
Italy has competed at every Rugby World Cup except one since the tournament was first held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987; the furthest progress to date is only to the quarter finals. In an heartland of football fandom, rugby very much holds its own in this sports mad nation; strong recent performances in the six nations including Italy's first competitive win against France have given the Azzurri hope of a very good tournament. In the 2011 six nations winger Andrea Masi was named player of the tournament, the first time an Italian has won such an award. Italy's hope of getting out of the group stages relay heavily on getting a result against Ireland or Australia, both on paper stronger teams who should qualify ahead of them. That said the Italian side is going in the right direction, the win against France could ultimately prove a watershed moment for the Azzurri and there supporters. Star Player: Andrea Masi,Head Coach: Nick Mallett
Russia - The Bears
Russia will compete in their first Rugby World Cup in New Zealand 2011, a long wait for a team that has played the sport since 1936 predominantly under the USSR flag. Since March 2010, however, Russia's form has improved greatly, being placed 18th in the world rankings, above Romania and coming behind the USA. Group C is a very tough group for Russia to progress from, realistically Russia will be aiming to beat the United States and not pick up the group wooden spoon. Like all under dogs the Bears will be an unknown quantity that other teams will do well to not underestimate, something they will hope to exploit come kick off. Star Player: Andrei Ostriko, Head Coach: Nikolay Nerush
United States - The Eagles
The United States has competed at every Rugby World Cup except one since the tournament was first held; this record is only marked with two World cup victories so far. The United States has a fantastic history of rugby heritage in a land of great sporting diversity but with little international success to date. While the United States like Russia is a super power, the United States rugby team is not, group C will prove exceptionally tough for the Eagles to progress from. However the United States does now boast players from some of the top leagues in the world, a sign of progression and growing belief that the Eagles have what it takes to move up a level and start to compete against some of the more established teams. Star player Chris Wyles, Head coach Eddie O'Sullivan
Ireland - Men in Green
Ireland have competed at every Rugby World Cup since the tournament was first held, only progressing to the quarter-final stages to date. The 2007 World Cup was one to forget for the Irish, a tough group of death meant Ireland didn't progress out of this stage, the first time this had happened to the team. Ireland has since won the 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam, having achieved this feat for the first time since 1948; it's a massive boost for this rugby mad nation and gives hope of a great World Cup ahead. In current captain Brian O'Driscoll, Ireland's all-time leader in both tries and appearances, the men in green boast a player considered one of the best in the world. If the players in the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/ireland-rugby-shirt-long-sleeve-classic/invt/ae90004/]Ireland Rugby shirt click and O'Driscoll stays fit, the Irish should comfortably make it out of the group stage; a favorable quarter-final draw may even see them make the semi finals for the first time in their history. Star player Brian O'Driscoll, Head coach Declan Kidney.
The first match of pool C is on the 11 September 2011 15:30
Australia v Italy- North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-Teams---Pool-C&id=6280099] Rugby World Cup Teams - Pool C
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