Rugby World Cup: Australia’s bid receives further government backing
Reece Hodge of the Wallabies poses with young participants during a launch for Australias 2027 Rugby World Cup bid, in Sydney, Thursday, May 20, 2021. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ** STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE, NO BOOKS **
The Australian Government has confirmed further support for Rugby Australia’s bid to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The Commonwealth’s investment for the 2027 Rugby World Cup bid has been extended to fund a bid for the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup following initial backing from the Government of just short of $10m.
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Australia is the front-runner for the 2027 bid and will wait for the World Rugby Council to announce the host on May 12.
The Commonwealth will be supporting the bid and legacy initiatives and Pacific-focused programs that ensure the events extend beyond just hosting and benefits local areas.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan extended his gratitude for the Australian Government’s support and looked ahead to the possibilities.
“On behalf of the entire Australian Rugby community, I would like to sincerely thank the Australian Government for their commitment to Australia’s bid to bring the Rugby World Cup back to our shores,” McLennan said.
“The Australian Government’s support is a huge boost for our bid as we continue to work with World Rugby on developing the tournament model for Rugby World Cup 2027 and contemplate the potential opportunity to bid for Rugby World Cup 2029.
“Throughout this process, dating back to early 2019, the Australian Government has been in our corner, showing an enthusiastic level of support which has allowed us to demonstrate to our colleagues at World Rugby that Australia is a safe pair of hands with a rolled-gold record of hosting major international events.
“The breadth of the support outlined in the budget today, from investment into tournament delivery, operational support and, crucially, legacy programs for Australia and the Pacific region, now enables us to illustrate to the World Rugby Council we are ready to bring the tournament back down under.”
He added: “Bringing the world’s third-largest sporting event back to our shores would provide a huge boost to the Australian economy after what has been an incredibly difficult few years for everyone.
“RWC 2027 in Australia would welcome two million attendees, including 200,000 international visitors, delivering $2.5 billion in direct and indirect expenditure for the economy and creating 13,300 equivalent FTE jobs. It would also attract 30,000 new participants to the game. This is an unrivalled opportunity to support the Australian economy and grow the game of Rugby in Australia and the Pacific.”
Australia’s Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck says the Australian Government knows the value of sport in bringing different people and communities together.
“Our support for the RWC 2027 and 2029 events represents an important opportunity to strengthen relationships, particularly with our Pacific neighbours,” he said.
“The third largest sports event in the world, the Rugby World Cup also offers the potential to provide substantial benefits including a much-needed boost to the Australian tourism industry, as well as trade, infrastructure and jobs.”
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