things that rule

Victor Matheson, a sports economist from the University of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, was one of three experts the Herald on Sunday asked to cast their eyes over the much-touted economic benefits of hosting RWC 2011. He seemed surprised when he came across the claim that 238 countries tuned in to watch the last tournament in France.

"Considering the United Nations recognises only 192 nations in the world, Deloitte has apparently invented over 40 new countries, all of which seem to be rugby fanatics," he says.

Getting to the root of this odd claim doesn't involve inventing nations like Ruckistan or Maulovia. Deloitte says it relied on figures provided by the International Rugby Board while the IRB, for its part, say Deloitte converted "broadcast territories" into "countries".

But it is characteristic of the woolly numbers and boosterism that litters discussion about the cup."