Ireland, France and South Africa are currently duking it out to see who will be crowned host of Rugby World Cup 2023, and the hyperbolic statements have ratcheted up a notch ahead of the November 15 decision.
France has declared that awarding them the tournament will prevent the “death of international rugby”, Ireland has promised record revenues for World Rugby, and apparently South Africa’s on-field woes and off-field chaos will be eliminated the second they win the bid. None of these are to be taken at face value of course, but it is worth weighing up the respective bids from a punters perspective.
Ireland
Shall we just end the debate here? Six weeks of watching rugby in the Emerald Isle while drinking industrial amounts of the black stuff, absolutely stunning countryside and more craic than you can poke a corner post at. But enough about the players’ experience.
The chance for classic traditional rugby grounds such as Ravenhill in Belfast and the hallowed Thomond Park in Limerick to project their famous atmospheres to the rest of the world is enticing, and this is juxtaposed with the opportunity to play matches in the gigantic GAA (Gaelic Football) stadiums that litter the island, with the cathedral known as Croke Park nominated to host the final, a truly unthinkable proposition even 15 years ago if you know your Irish history.
The bid also re-enforces one of the best and most popular aspects of Irish rugby, the fact that it encompasses and includes the whole island, Northern Ireland and the Republic, resulting in 100 per cent guaranteed craic from Glengarriff to Giant’s Causeway. Up with this sort of thing. Five pints out of five.
France
Great food, great stadiums, great infrastructure, fantastic wine, stunning scenery, extremely attractive people, nice people in some parts…. On the surface, France seems to have it all, but at the end of the day, haven’t we been here recently?
The fact that they hosted the 2007 edition, as well as hosting games in the 1991 and 1999 World Cups mean that it feels like it would be more of the same, with the 16-year turnaround between hosting surely putting an end to this bid.
Would be a functional World Cup, but after Japan (which is guaranteed to be the most supremely well-organised tournament in memory) offering something new and exotic, functional just doesn’t cut it. 3.5 pints out of five.
South Africa
The 1995 World Cup was one of sports truly uplifting events, with the Springbok’s epic win over New Zealand in the final, Mandela and Pienaar on the podium and the rainbow nation coming together post-apartheid.
The embers of goodwill that flickered and illuminated South African rugby, if ever so slightly, for years after that ‘95 World Cup were finally extinguished last Saturday in Albany, with many just plain fed up with the Springboks’ ineptitude.
While results on the field should have no bearing on whether they should be World Cup hosts, the politics in South African rugby make Australian rugby look like the primary school student council in comparison, and it’s hard to see it all being rosy in just six years.
South Africa is a beautiful country with friendly people and an amazing rugby pedigree, but the above combined with the weak value of the Rand means this might be put in the too hard basket for now. 2027 might be a more reasonable year. 3 pints out of 5.
So Ireland is obviously my first choice, but it is by no means guaranteed to emerge victorious. Who would you choose, and why?
Slat
Guest
If you want SA to win the WC then you should hire Suzi to serve the food and hold it in SA. I think for the sake of rugby Ireland would be the ideal location. They are passionate supporters of sport, have a good drinking edequet which is important in rugby. The country would unite as it did in SA.
Ariki evans
Guest
Ireland should host it
Peter Kelly
Guest
It would be a serious injustice if Ireland were not chosen as the hosts. You could say that I would say that as an Irishman. But we have boxed above our weight in rugby for many years (10% of the player base in England or France,for example) and yet, are the only country of the three not to have hosted a world Cup. With a plethora of newly developed and continuously developing stadia, short travel times and distances between them, it offers many very attractive features including the likely very high turnout of the wildly enthusiastic and very welcoming Irish fans.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
At your service Don Quijote.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Hahaha Compared to you and your crystal ball, my crystal is doing just fine.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
T-man & Jacko = Don Quijote & Sancho Panza of The Roar. :D
PeterK
Roar Guru
very true, the taste difference anyway. I never like guiness even in England. Went to Ireland and I loved it , best bitter beer anywhere.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Fionn - Didn't you know as an aussie you must even spell words the way kiwi's do on this site.
PeterK
Roar Guru
yes I should have been more specific. Not the stadiums. Electricity, the rolling blackouts, the water and waste water, the crime etc. So attending the games themselves might be great but the problems of staying and getting about are significant (or can be). Also as I stated Ireland is a tier 1 nation and have not hosted 1 rwc yet so it deserves it ahead of SA. Also as Harry states since selecting a team based on race is against the intl sports charter and world rugby SA should not be rewarded.
Taylorman
Guest
Yep true, its one I want to attend one day. Europes hopeless, it gets lost in the backdrop and last time hardly anyone knew it was going on. Keep it where its appreciated I say. NZ, Oz, SA then the occasional Europe, Iteland or Wales preferrably. Japans a novelty, be interesting if theyll care as well, and Im a bit concerned beaudys up and unders might get pinged by rocketman, if hes still around then. Have the given it up yet?
Taylorman
Guest
Humour right down his alley. ? Yeah I reckon we'll get one of the next four. Moneys a red herring, hasnt stopped us hosting it yet and swedes crystal ball is a bit outdated.
Taylorman
Guest
Yes he forgets we now have a port to bring it in. Hoping for an airport in the next decade or two as well.
Taylorman
Guest
Oh really? Didnt know that Mr money bags. Thanks for the daily reminder.
Derm
Roar Guru
Referencing the UK is irrelevant in a rugby context. The Northern Football Union (Belfast city area) and the Irish Football Union (everywhere else in Leinster, Munster and Ulster) were founded in 1874. They merged in 1879 to become the IRFU. Together with Wales and Scotland, they founded the International Rugby Football Board now called World Rugby in 1886. Connacht became the fourth branch of the IRFU in 1900. Today, the IRFU continues to base its union territory on the island of Ireland using the four provinces of Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht. This provincial structure is also used for a number of sports incl boxing, hockey, equestrian, tennis, rowing, golf, etc. Ulster Rugby province covers territory in both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is in the north-east of the island and makes up about 16% of total territory of the island. It is the IRFU who is bidding to host RWC 23 on its territory using stadia across the island including potentially one in Derry City, two in Belfast City, one in Galway City, two in Limerick City, two in Cork County, one in Kilkenny City and three in Dublin City. The bid is supported by the Government of Ireland and by the Northern Ireland Assembly (devolved govt of Northern Ireland). Both governments are underwriting - proportionately - the €139m bid guarantee along with a estimated €100m investment in stadia and facilities that will benefit rugby and other sports on the island.
Bob Wire
Guest
Ireland. Would Northern Ireland host games- it is part of the U.K.?
DavSA
Guest
Sorry PeterK , but what infrastructure mess are you referring to . SA has better stadiums than any of the other bidders. The tourist infrastructure is excellent . Hosted 2010 soccer world cup which is hugely bigger than rugby without so much as a glitch.
DavSA
Guest
I do not see how a weak rand can be construed as a negative. Makes travelling to SA incredibly affordable . The stadium infrastructure is unmatched and plenty for tourists to do between games. SA have a near perfect record of hosting major tournaments and have ample experience in that. Great weather , good food and of course wine and tons of beer naturally . . The politics which are also presented as a negative are the doings of a few and should absolutely not count against the overwhelming majority of rugby supporters.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Ireland get my vote. Who wouldn't a love a trip to the Emerald Isle? Their bid is outstanding. I don't think World Rugby could turn Liam Neeson down.
Brendan
Guest
I was hoping the United States would be interested and get the nod.
Craig
Guest
Ireland without doubt , they deserve it , the passion , hospitality and most of all the Craic can't be beaten