Organisers of the 2021 rugby league World Cup in England have drawn up contingency plans for a socially-distanced tournament – or even a delayed 2022 edition.
But, with continuing uncertainty over the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, chief executive Jon Dutton admits he is looking at all options, including putting the tournament back by 12 months to 2022.
Friday marks 12 months to the day to the opening ceremony of the event which was won in Australia in 2017 by the hosts.
“There isn’t a drop-dead day that we have to make a decision by,” Dutton said. “The period between January and March will be critical but we have to look at what the world looks like.
“We have to be agile and adapt to the circumstances but I feel incredibly positive that the tournament will happen in 12 months’ time.
“I am utterly realistic about the challenges we face but we have such a desire from people, including the UK Government, to make sure the tournament happens.
“In 12 months’ time COVID-19 won’t have gone away but the world will have found a way to live with it.”
Dutton says organisers are sticking with the ambitious target of attracting 750,000 fans to the tournament while keeping their options open.
“We are still hopeful that we can have full stadia but clearly the next option is a socially-distant tournament so we’re running different models on everything down to 25 per cent all the way up to just above 50 per cent,” he said.
“The other options available to us are a postponement, which would mean moving the tournament back by exactly 12 months, and the worst-case scenario is that the tournament doesn’t go ahead.
“But what has been incredibly uplifting for me is that no-one is talking about that, everyone is talking how we stage the tournament next autumn.
“A postponement is not something we’re focused on. 2022 is an extremely busy year of sport – obviously there are the Commonwealth Games here in the UK and the FIFA World Cup – and that’s what makes our focus even stronger on next year.”
Fieldy
Guest
What about all these people that follow more than one sport Cathar?? How dare they!!!
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
see me on their websites/pages acting like you? You use any excuse to legitimise your rants.
Fieldy
Guest
They must be Yawnion fans Cathar.. or or even Fumbleball fans! How dare they support another sport!
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Indicative of the standards of this site now when trash like this can spew out lie after lie.
Fieldy
Guest
There we go Ladies and Gentlemen Rugby League right there. All other sports get along but there is one massive chip on the Rugby League shoulder. Probably why it gets little respect outside its tiny heartlands
Walter Black
Guest
In the Rugby League fraternity, you never need to watch another sport. I am Rugby League 1st, 2nd and 3rd, Rugby Union 4th and AFL well that comes a long way behind soccor and I hate soccor.
Fieldy
Guest
In the Rugby League fraternity its illegal to like more than one sport
Nick
Roar Guru
Actually, I love AFL. I love NRL. I'm slightly more open minded than you and can enjoy two footballs. I also don't give a fig about state identity which is why I enjoy both.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Ah Mr Alias you're so predictable as you are cowardly & pathetic.
Walter Black
Guest
Gee Moose, what is going on with you lately. I am sure you never used to be so negative, you haven't gone over to that AwFuL darkside have you ?
Fieldy
Guest
750,000 ??? Hahaha I suppose with the price of the tickets practically giving them away you'd want to hope to get rid of that many.
Fred
Guest
Eh? The 2013 world cup in England was a cracker and had great crowds. Was better than the more recent one in Australia/NZ
Nick
Roar Guru
lol - considering the projected crowds that would have attended if it wasn't Covid affected, I'm not sure there will be a big difference. Nor do I think rugby league looks at the rest of the sporting calendar to dictate it's world cup slot.
Walter Black
Guest
2022 might be a crowded sporting year but given everything that is going on in the UK at the moment, it might be the best option. Even if we get a Vaccine by Easter next year, it is going to take time to work through and confidence return to international travel. Socially distanced tournament might be OK it theory but as a tournament it will be a flop. Rugby League doesn't need another flop. Postpone it now and work on plans for making it a success in 2022