2011 Rugby World Cup knockout stage

The knockout stage of the 2011 Rugby World Cup began on 8 October with a quarter-final between Ireland and Wales and concluded on 23 October with the final at Eden Park in Auckland.

New Zealand were the first team to qualify for the knockout stage, when they beat France 37–17 in their penultimate Pool A game.

New Zealand and France re-encountered in the final, that was won by the local team 8–7.

For the first time in World Cup history, three teams that finished second in their respective pools qualified for the semi-finals, while South Africa became the second defending champions not to reach the semi-finals after Australia in 1995.

Man of the Match: Mike Phillips (Wales) Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England) Romain Poite (France) Television match official: Giulio de Santis (Italy) Man of the Match: Imanol Harinordoquy (France) Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland) George Clancy (Ireland) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Man of the Match: David Pocock (Australia) Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England) Romain Poite (France) Television match official: Giulio de Santis (Italy) Man of the Match: Piri Weepu (New Zealand) Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) George Clancy (Ireland) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Notes Man of the Match: Julien Bonnaire (France) Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) Wayne Barnes (England) Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy) Notes Man of the Match: Cory Jane (New Zealand) Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Romain Poite (France) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Man of the Match: Berrick Barnes (Australia) Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) George Clancy (Ireland) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Notes Man of the Match: Thierry Dusautoir (France) Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland)[10] Nigel Owens (Wales)[10] Television match official: Giulio de Santis (Italy)[10]