South Africa will expect to win the right to host Rugby World Cup 2023 once and for all in London.
Ireland and France have refused to give up the fight but both are likely to wind up disappointed by Wednesday’s final vote.
South Africa was named as the 2023 preferred host nation by World Rugby’s independent review, but that only sparked spiky reactions over the process from Ireland and France.
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt remains convinced his side’s record 30-3 thumping of the Springboks in Dublin on Saturday could swing the vote of World Rugby’s member nations on Wednesday, but that appears a long shot.
“This could really put the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) in the shop window when people are voting on Wednesday,” Schmidt said in the wake of Ireland’s fine victory over South Africa.
Schmidt’s position and the IRFU’s fight to overturn South Africa’s advantage has run as far as chief executive Philip Browne writing a letter to World Rugby to challenge the independent process behind the preferred bidder recommendation.
World Rugby publicly acknowledged receipt of that behind-the-scenes letter on Friday, in order to consider the matter closed.
“World Rugby can confirm that it has addressed in full, clarification requests by the Rugby World Cup 2023 host candidates and council members,” read World Rugby’s statement on Friday.
“The ability to submit clarification requests following the publication of the recommendation and comprehensive report on 31 October was agreed and permitted within the host selection process operated by World Rugby.
“These clarifications have been addressed with significant supporting detail, and have been shared with the host candidates and World Rugby council.
“The comprehensive and objective responses reflect the transparent principles at the heart of the independently audited process. They do not impact on the detail or outcomes of the evaluation report nor on the subsequent recommendation.”
ads2600
Guest
Couldn’t agree more.
Like everything else, modern day society is run by the almighty Dollar/Pound/Yen
swamprat
Roar Pro
Hoped for Ireland but money now runs rugby. Inevitable.
Harry, I literally don’t care, I have lost my passion for sport. I spend my days in my workshop now, sport is no longer a passtime.
DavSA
Guest
Yes BB. Surely if not SA then the Irish....Also there have just got to be serious security concerns in France . However makes for an intriguing match up on Saturday......But I wont be watching.
DavSA
Guest
It is a surprise and I wonder what swayed the voting.Cud it possibly have been the Boks meek and mild capitulation to Ireland. But I conversely have no gripe with the outcome.
Riddler
Guest
Happy days!! A few years of some awesome sport coming up for this part of world.. Feel for the irish. . But am happy for the frogs..
Harry Jones
Expert
BB, it might be tough for SA to qualify for 2023, now. Might have to win in a one-off playoff with Zimbabwe.
I would have said Ireland, France hosted it in 2007
Harry Jones
Expert
Probably the best outcome. SARU and ANC did not deserve it.
Derm
Roar Guru
And the winner is...... France. In surprise vote, the French out-manoeuvred the SA and Ireland and came through in the second round of voting to win the hosting right for RWC 2023.
Harry Jones
Expert
WR is cowardly to bless ANC's cap on white players. They had all the leverage to force ANC to scrap all quotas, but instead earmark a high percentage of the largesse to township rugby development and better competition for young athletes in schools away from soccer and towards rugby. Instead, WR tacitly approved it.
Fionn
Guest
'Oh and our wine is better and a lot cheaper than French or Irish wine.' Absolutely agree, Dav :)
Don’t care.
Derm
Roar Guru
Result will be declared in a couple of hours by World Rugby.
riddler
Guest
personally would have loved a french or irish win.. if the reports are true of the grading system that was released a couple weeks ago there does seem to be something a miss.. am still hoping that the froggies get it.. ryder cup/rugby/olympics superb
DavSA
Guest
JP , The SA Government read here "The taxpayer" has guaranteed payment. No ways SARU has that kind of cash . Personally I am silent on the issue but if I were not a rugby supporter I am not sure I would be too pleased.
Cuw
Guest
off topic , but have u seen this ?? Stormers, Bulls to play pre-season match in USA http://www.planetrugby.com/news/stormers-bulls-to-play-pre-season-match-in-usa/
DavSA
Guest
I have already booked a table at my local for you Machooka . Politically SA will in the opinion of many be more stable with a more inclusive multi party democracy being predicted. A key player according to futurists and myself will be the DA party which will hold the power sway. They are dead against quotas so it may still be allright.
Machooka
Roar Guru
'My only problem is that SARU will feel rewarded and that is not deserved.' Yeah DaveSA... it's an interesting dichotomy eh!?! There are many positives should SARU win their bid to host the 2023 RWC... least of all a focal point by which SA might be forced to field their best team regardless of the 'quota system'. Surely? A win at home would just be the ants' pants for the game in SA. Hopefully. Regardless, for we supporters abroad, a trip to SA to partake in a RWC, with the present exchange rate, would be very tempting. And the wine... yes the wine. And the food. The country. The people. In fact the whole SA experience with some rugby to boot! :)