As widely expected Australia was granted the hosting rights for the 2027 men’s and 2029 women’s World Cups after a World Rugby vote Thursday, delivering a considerable boost to the code here.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont announced that England would host the next tournament on offer in women’s rugby in 2025 before Australia and then the United States would host the next four tournaments between 2027 and 2033.
“The confirmation of host locations is supported by a new partnership approach to event delivery, that will power long-term, sustainable development, including in the USA and across the women’s game, enabling the sport to realise its global potential on and off the field, driving significant social and economic benefits for host nations,” Beaumont said.
“Today is a landmark moment for the sport, and an exciting development for fans. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making this dream a reality as we look to deliver a truly global sport for all.”
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan hailed it as “a historic day for rugby in Australia.”
“We’re beyond thrilled to be welcoming not one, but two Rugby World Cups to our shores,” he said.
“It’s a game-changer for rugby in this country, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise and secure the future of the sport here and see the game we all love grow and thrive for years to come.
“Today’s announcement is also the result of an incredible amount of hard work and cooperation from across the rugby community over many years. Today is a significant moment in time for our game. We look forward to working together with World Rugby, our member unions and Government partners over the coming years to ensure that we make the most of this opportunity and continue the resurgence of rugby in this country.”
Australia were winners in 1991 and 1999 last hosted the tournament in 2003 when the Wallabies lost to England in the final.
They had ad been all but certain to earn both tournaments after previously earning preferred host status in the streamlined bid process.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit up in green and gold at 6pm in anticipation before Rugby Australia received the confirmation it was anxiously awaiting almost four hours later.
Rugby Australia (RA) CEO Andy Marinos estimated the two World Cups could bring between $50 and 60 million to the cash-strapped governing body and help return the sport to its glory days down under.
That forecast came after the organisation considered reverting to amateur status when it recorded a net deficit of $27.1 million for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It sets us up for what I think is going to be a golden age of rugby in this country,” RA president David Codey said.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and Wallaroos skipper Shannon Parry said hosting the two events would inspire a new generation of young players.
“It’s pretty special,” Hooper said.
“The runway from this all comes together in the next 10 years of rugby. Not only with these World Cups but the (Brisbane 2032) Olympics with rugby’s involvement in the Olympics and what that looks like.
“It’s a pretty good time to be a young rugby player or looking to play rugby.”
Hooper, 30, said he would not be still playing to lead Australia into the tournament.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, 30, will be only 35 by the time the World Cup is played on home soil, but just as he cruised over Sydney Harbour on the ferry he will be taking it easy by then.
“I’ll be sitting in the stands with a beer,” he said.
(With AAP)
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Obs, I think even C.Gamble would accept that S.Cane and D.Papalii are in front of him for AB honours. Just saying a likely walk in to the WB team if he commits. :stoked:
Peter
Roar Rookie
It's not about me.
Ducky
Guest
You’ll want to get tickets to this event as it will likely be the last one Australia enters before the domestic professional game collapses completely. Bit of a joke that they would have certainly gone bust without it :laughing:
Peter
Roar Rookie
It's confusing and frankly dispiriting. What's next ? Are they not going to label underwear sizes because they think it might be offensive to front rowers. Why should a female be offended if it is labelled "a women's world cup" or vice versa. It's misleading, misrepresentative and it misses the mark.
Peter
Roar Rookie
A fair point Geoff. One that I am fully aware of and was fully supportive of at the time. The Japanese Rugby World Cup was a great success and an example of what is possible if Rugby is prepared to take a chance. World Rugby is not taking a chance by giving the tournament to Australia in 2027. It’s a lame decision. As to whether Japanese Rugby is a part of the “old boys club”. I would suggest yes, it is. Perhaps not as directly as Australia or the other former British Colony’s but having said as much, it would do well to remember that many credit Prince Chichibu for the development of Rugby in Japan. In 1925, the Prince went to Great Britain to study at Magdalen College, Oxford. He was later made honorary President of the Japan–British Society. The ground where Rugby Internationals have traditionally been played in Tokyo is named after him. As you well know the corporate tie’s that bind Japan and Great Britain now help fund so many of the leading teams in the Japanese Top League. So in answer to your question, yes, I do believe that being a part of the “old boys club” helped Japan win the rights to the Rugby World Cup. Was that a good thing ? ABSOLUTELY it was. Is it in the best interests of the game on this occasion ? I don’t believe so.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
You sound like you'd be fun at a party.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Is Japan in the "old boys club" Peter? Is the USA? We all know they're not. So how is it that they were granted hosting for 2019 and 2031?
Peter
Roar Rookie
Haven't you heard of Negative Gearing. Do you think the Australian Government makes a direct profit from funding Radio Australia to the Asia/Pacific region. It's not always about the headline figure. They are wasting their time trying to promote the game in Australia. As other comments have eluded to, there are many other places around the world where participation is growing at a far greater pace than in Australia. Guess it still pays to be part of the Old Boys Club.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
"It evidently means more to World Rugby to have a fiscally successful tournament than risk backing an unprofitable one for the sake of future growth." Bizarre comment, Peter. What do you think funds future growth? Professional rugby is a business, competing for broadcast, sponsorship $ and eyeballs along with a host of other professional sports and leisure options. WR administrators would be grossly negligent if they deliberately ran World Cups at a loss, when there are profitable alternatives. At one end of the scale you have sports like Football who sell off their World Cups to unsuitable locations for a pot of money. At the other end, you seem to suggest that sports should host World Cups in countries that offer little commercial return and may lack necessary infrastructure, all for some altruistic reason, or because you just don't happen to like the chosen location. As you state yourself, there are few options that present themselves as a sensible middle ground - you are upset that Australia has been selected, but then don't go on to offer any real alternative. There are a few things in life to feel sad about - I'm genuinely surprised that somebody would think this decision is one of them.
Peter
Roar Rookie
What's to celebrate. Giving a World Cup to a nation that is at best lukewarm to the game.
Double Agent
Guest
You must be fun at parties.
Peter
Roar Rookie
I agree with almost everything you say. Japan proved that looking to non traditional markets can be a success. I think World Rugby are wasting there time with Australia. This to my mind is a lost opportunity. Yes, it would be a gamble to take the tournament to the USA but one in my opinion that was well worth taking. I am very disappointed that the old boys club and a guarantee'd windfall is more important to world rugby than the future direction of the game. Expanding into the America's and Africa is a priceless opportunity and it is a narrow minded decision not to recognise this.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Agree with you there, the standard is dreadful. In a moment of despair I recently tried the TV with radio commentary, however there was a time lag, radio screaming 'try' while I was watching a scrum re-set. I pity the poor player chosen or nominated to face up to the inane halftime questions while running off the field, yet to hear a response that added anything.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Exactly. So why is World Rugby so reticent to give it to Africa ? I think Rugby are wasting there time with Australia and have missed an opportunity.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Exactly. So why is World Rugby so reticent to give it to America ? I think Rugby are wasting there time with Australia and have missed an opportunity.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
"wiped the floor" with a try from a knock on at the death?
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
I think it's important that a city that has consistently failed to support rugby be rewarded by giving it the biggest game.
Adam
Roar Guru
I was 13 last time. Went to Wales vs Tonga in Canberra and have loved the game ever since. 2003 directly resulted in Tasmania's only post WWII Wallaby and a legitimate one at that as he played all of his junior years in Tasmania. The sport has obviously been in decline but the years between 2003 and 2010 were amazing for Tasmanian rugby and I hope to see those peaks again (at least so my kids get the same opportunities to play that I did)
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
robbo, I wonder why any new rectanguar stadia, and even oval ones I suppose aren't built with roofs now that the technology is readily available. Available to use in any weather, must improve the hiring opportunities as there are no cancellations. A case in point is the NRL Magic Round this weekend. All games at the one stadium in Brisbane and they might be playing water polo!
DJ
Roar Rookie
Yes 20-30 would be perfect. But it does need to be new. The shape of the current Canberra stadium is ok, but nothing like how good a proper square stadium is for watching the game and atmosphere.