France will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup in a huge surprise after the World Rugby Council went against the recommendations of an extensive evaluation report in a secret ballot.
South Africa had been recommended by World Rugby’s Board but the Council members went for France, which also held the tournament in 2007.
Ireland were eliminated after the first round when they secured eight of the 39 available votes to the 13 of South Africa and 18 of France. In the second round, France secured 24 votes to South Africa’s 15.
The three bidding countries did not take part in the ballot. The remaining Six Nations and SANZAAR countries had three votes each with the rest made up from the six regional associations and smaller rugby countries. A minimum of 20 votes were needed.
South Africa, which staged the tournament in 1995, winning it in their first appearance after missing the first two World Cups because of the apartheid sporting ban, had been favourites after coming out clearly on top of the evaluation report.
South Africa received an overall score of 78.97 per cent to 75.88 for France and 72.25 for Ireland on a selection of weighted criteria but Council members were free to ignore the report if they wished.
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont denied being humiliated after the council did just that.
“We made a recommendation which wasn’t accepted by the Council,” he said. “It’s the first time we’ve had this process and we will learn as we move forward.
“Because the vote went to France after we had recommended South Africa doesn’t mean it’s humiliation (for World Rugby).”
French officials had publicly complained about many aspects of the evaluation report, accusing World Rugby of incompetence.
Philip Brown, CEO of the Irish Union, struggled to hide his frustration.
“World Rugby needs to decide what sort of tournament it wants,” he said. “Money is imperative but it shouldn’t be everything – we could run a world-class tournament and produce the necessary revenues.”
Japan will host the next World Cup, in 2019.
RUGBY WORLD CUP HOST NATIONS:
* 1987 New Zealand, Winners: New Zealand
* 1991 England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France, Winners: Australia
* 1995 South Africa, Winners: South Africa
* 1999 Wales, Winners: Australia
* 2003 Australia, Winners: England
* 2007 France, Winners: South Africa
* 2011 New Zealand, Winners: New Zealand
* 2015 England, Winners: New Zealand
* 2019 Japan
* 2023 France
richard
Guest
Why was the 2011 RWC forgettable? Because your team didn't win? The only thing that was forgettable about that tournament was the disgusting behaviour of the England team. Other than that,it was one of the best run tournaments ( along with the 1987/95 tournaments).
Fitzy
Guest
I take offense you never put in Red heads or Jews lol Boks have traditionally had both ;)
Bakkies
Guest
Complete and utter nonsense TWAS. No Federal Government will give funding to a sports governing body that actively goes out and contracts their national footprint. They have also spent three months investigating their financial mismanagement.
DavSA
Guest
Thanks Harry .......More than kind of I am afraid . England could split their vote ??? Kind of like saying I want Trump and Clinton to win/lose so vote for both. Just vote a bit more for one.
DavSA
Guest
Ex Force fan , yes many have emigrated but bear in mind far , far more have elected not to. Also remember that SA sits with a huge immigrant population . People are entering the country in far larger numbers than are leaving . That must say something. . Sure we are not a first world country and only pretended to be under Apartheid . But I have never even considered leaving and neither have my family.
Muzzo
Guest
I don't know!! Did he?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah nah. No administration was ever going to be in a position to bid. It will come down to government determining if funding will bring the required economic benefit.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The federal government won't care what past admins may have done with past profits. If they see an economic and reputation benefit for Australia, they will consider funding. If they don't, they won't consider funding. They aren't going to just hold petty grudges like you. They'll make a decision on what suits the Aus government and people, regardless of Rugby Australia. Given our already committed stadia expansion and likely position in 2027 it's a possibility, as it will bring huge economic benefit and won't require much stadia outlay as we will have upgraded ANZ, Alliance and Parramatta, as well as Suncorp, New Perth Stadium, MCG & AAMI Park in Melbourne, potential upgrades done in Canberra and Adelaide Oval plus Gold Coast.
nickbrisbane
Guest
Totally agree - the last time SA used race as a criteria to pick teams they were kicked out for 20 years
Fionn
Guest
:D :D :D Cheers, Riddler
Derm
Roar Guru
What EU block bought votes? Do you mean Irelamd or France?
lesterlike
Guest
Joint bids aren't allowed anymore.
Clyde
Guest
The only reason why Wales voted for SA is because they were on the technical committee that recommended SA. They would have outed themselves had not noted for SA. The EU block did what the block does and bought votes as per normal FIFA behavior. So stick around for a few for bids and watch the pattern emerge.
Richard Hinchliffe
Guest
What does WRC know about rugby? Even as an Englishman why sent the opportunity for South Africa to host the tournament again after 22 years! It does seem fair. Time to switch off my favourite sport.
Kiwi in nz
Guest
I appreciate that DavSA. I sure hope it turns around. Your the first comment that reads there is hope from within for change. That is encouraging to read and I hope it happens sooner than later.
Harry Jones
Expert
Japan kind of betrayed SANZAAR brother
Harry Jones
Expert
Here's who voted for whom: France (24) Scotland (3) Italy (3) Japan (2) Georgia (1) Romania (1) Canada (1) USA (1) *England (2) Asia (2) South America (2) Europe (2) Africa (2) North America (2) South Africa (15 total) Wales (3) New Zealand (3) Australia (3) Argentina (3) Oceania (2) *England (1)
Ex force fan
Guest
South Africa is a great place to visit, but you do not want to live there. There is a reason why so many South Africans emigrated and it is not the water.
Bakkies
Guest
Are they guaranteed? Four times in a row they have bid for it and struggling to get enough votes.
Bakkies
Guest
'Conversely, SANZAAR did stick together and voted for SA en bloc.' Probably the first time that the RA voted for SA in their recent four attempts at bidding for the tournament. http://www.the42.ie/2023-rugby-world-cup-voting-breakdown-3699690-Nov2017/ Some nice grenades thrown in this article. The WRU supporting their own Gareth Davies who was one of the ringleaders running the farcical technical report.