Australian Rugby Union will not bid to host the 2023 tournament

[The InnFORCEr]

Rugby World Cup: Australian Rugby Union will not bid to host the 2023 tournament

Sam Worthington
FOX SPORTS
June 15, 2015 5:32PM


THE Australian Rugby Union has confirmed it will not bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, instead throwing its support behind SANZAR partners South Africa.

The ARU’s decision to sit out what is currently a five-horse race for 2023 hosting rights means it will be at least 24 years in between Australia hosting World Cups.

The 2003 World Cup in Australia was a raging success, with 64,300 international visitors helping generate $1 billion in economic impact.

But bidding processes are incredibly political and there is a feeling South Africa — who hosted their only World Cup in 1995 — are the next southern hemisphere country in line to host rugby’s showpiece tournament.

“At this stage ARU does not intend to engage in the bid process for 2023,” an ARU spokesperson told foxsports.com.au.

“We are aware that our SANZAR partners South Africa are looking to host their second World Cup and we support their bid.

“We will consider our position for the 2027 tournament.”

England is hosting the 2015 World Cup in September-October and Japan will host its first RWC in 2019.

France, Ireland, Italy, South Africa and the United States have all expressed interest in hosting the 2023 World Cup.

Rugby World Cup tournament director Alan Gilpin said: “We are delighted with the strong level of serious interest from unions and governments in Rugby World Cup 2023 at this very early stage, which highlights the enormous hosting appeal of Rugby World Cup as a low-risk, high-return economic, social and sporting driver and we welcome further dialogue as the process progresses.”

The successful bid will be revealed in May 2017.

South African sports officials have dismissed suggestions that the bribery scandal surrounding the 2010 FIFA World Cup will affect their 2023 RWC bid.

South Africa’s Sport and Recreation Minister, Fikile Mbalula, made light of the football scandal on Twitter recently after again denying all allegations of bribery.

“Off to London attending the launch of the SA rugby world cup bid 2023...” Mbalula tweeted.

“I promise hounourable tweeps am carrying no briefcase...

“Please send more tips to avoid been accused of a bribe #RugbyWcBid2023.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/ru...-1227399106407

[travelling_gerry]

Right! The fix is on to have the RWC2027 in Australia and break the normal Northern Hemisphere/Southern Hemisphere cycle!

[jargan83]

Well Japan already broke that cycle.

[beige]

2027 - one of the Celtic countries will be due to host a small portion of the tournament by then.

[AndyS]

Given the effect it had on the Soccer, I reckon you can bank on one of the next two awards going to the US. Probably 2027, but maybe as early as 2023 given WR now hits the bidders for money up front.

[jargan83]

Yeah the effect that the Soccer World Cup had for the game in the US should be on the World Rugby's radar in terms of giving the US hosting rights in one of the two tournaments.

I reckon they will go heartland nation for 2023 and in 2027 the US will be a shoe in.

[beige]

They might see Italy as a way to split the difference - developing rugby nation (seemingly forever) and not far for the Europeans to travel.

[chibi]

I hate that we have a bidding process for world cups like this. We should see them allocate world cups over a twenty/thirty year period and have each host nation build towards them over the long-term.

[GIGS20]

Or perhaps they could auction it like FIFA