2015 World Cup must have new host: report

2015 World Cup must have new host: report



27th July 2008, 13:30 WST
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The 2015 Rugby World Cup must be held outside a rugby union stronghold if the sport is serious about becoming a truly global game and breaking out of its current “ghetto”, according to the contents of a new report.
Putting Rugby First also warns that union is being left behind by the likes of cricket, which has a similar geographical base and background, when it comes to broadcasting in new markets such as China and the United States.
And it urges officials to exploit the commercial potential of Sevens, a cut-down version of rugby, in much the same way as cricket has used Twenty20 to bring in new fans.
Japan lost out narrowly to New Zealand, a rugby powerhouse but a less financially attractive proposition than south-east Asia, for the right to host the 2011 World Cup.
By contrast, football staged its 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, providing a huge boost to the sport in that region.


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