A two-time Wallabies World Cup winner is now tasked with delivering one

Wallaby great and two-time Rugby World Cup winner Phil Kearns has been appointed to the board which will help deliver the 2027 tournament in Australia.

The 56-year-old has joined the Local Operating Company (LOC) as director of the board, which will be chaired by Sir Rod Eddington.

As well as the men’s competition in 2027, LOC will also help deliver the women’s World Cup in 2029.

A rare feat

Kearns is one of just 21 players to lift the Webb Ellis Cup twice – in 1991 and 1999 – and in total earned 67 caps for the Wallabies.

Following the conclusion of his playing days, the ex-hooker has gone on to become a pundit while he has also enjoyed a successful career in business.

“Obviously, I have a great affinity with the Rugby World Cup, having been to three of them as a player and winning two,” he said.

“Nothing fills you more with pride than representing your country on one of the largest sporting stages in the world – and then to have success is mind-blowing.

“Unfortunately, I did not get to play at home in Australia in 2003 – you feel a certain responsibility representing your country, especially on home soil, and it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to be able to do that again in bringing this massive event home to Australia once more.

“I was proud to be involved with a fantastic group of people, governments and stakeholders that all worked tirelessly to ensure the Rugby World Cup returned to Australian shores – and I am excited to be able to play a role in finishing the job, developing and delivering the event, and leaving a lasting legacy for rugby in this country.”

Collaboration

LOC is a collaboration between Rugby Australia and World Rugby, but it is majority owned by the global governing body and it is responsible for delivering World Cups until at least 2033.

Kearns played a key part in helping Australia win the bid for the 2027 and 2029 tournaments, and will now remain involved as the country continues its preparations for hosting the two World Cups.

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said: “Phil played a significant role in our bid team, and it only makes sense for him to continue on and see the job through with the LOC.

“He was a wonderful Wallaby, and he has demonstrated great passion for the Rugby World Cup, and for the game of Rugby in Australia – it is clear that he sees these as not just major events for Rugby in Australia, but as a genuine opportunity to shift the sporting landscape in this country.

“That is what we need, and along with the appointment of Sir Rod Eddington as Chair, and Chris Stanley as Managing Director, we have continuity that can build on the vision, and the foundation that has been established to deliver two incredible events that will be key moments in our golden decade of Rugby.”

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