Vote, and let's hear it! My choice is Japan, just because it's time for the IRB to have a change of scenery.
I don't know if they can be configured for rugby, or if they are owned by soccer clubs who may not release them.
Of course they can, as long as the pitch dimensions are IRB-acceptable. And there are probably a lotta other rugby-only stadiums in Japan... Hanazono Stadium is a very good pitch....as is... Nagai Ball Gall Field Add the fact that Japan has a very good financial foundation, with numerous advertsing opportunities, and the IRB may have a winner in Japan. Don't be surprised if after Japan wins the bid, their rugby side is as strong as maybe, I don't know....Argentina...(they might even get the best of USA and Canada, too)
It's Japan and there should really be no debate. First off, New Zealand's bid is not really to be taken seriously, despite their desperation to host the WC again. They won't be able to handle it. Their stadia are far too small, and they will be unable to handle the traveling fans. They're having a hard enough time as it is. Imagine adding the French, the Australians and probably some Japanese and it'd be very difficult. South Africa is a legitimate bid, but Japan really has it all. Japan is a great country. It's more than capable of handling the WC on infrastructure and capacity - 50,000 fans descending into Tokyo? Not a problem. The stadia are fantastic. They have sizable rugby-first stadia, such as Chichibunomiya, Hakata no mori and Kintetsu Hanazano stadium. Add to that the World Cup football grounds (and all of them are easily of the size to handle rugby) and Japan has the facilities. The only question really is the enthusiasm by the fans. Well, rugby in Japan is actually quite popular, and furthermore, the World Cup got a turnout by Japanese fans far in excess of the popularity of football. It's Japan. It has to be.