Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Australia and New Zealand to co-host 2017 Rugby League World Cup

By

Ian Laybourn, Press Association



PUBLISHED:


07:48, 19 February 2014




|
UPDATED:


08:06, 19 February 2014



Australia and New Zealand have been announced as co-hosts for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.


The Rugby League International Federation opted to play it safe in awarding the 15th competition to two of the ‘big three’ ahead of South Africa, the only other bid on the table.


Chairman of the bid committee and RLIF vice-chairman Nigel Wood said: ‘This was not a simple decision but with fans of international rugby league buoyed by the recent success of RLWC2013, we were determined to get it right.


Award: Australia, who won the Rugby League World Cup last year, will host the tournament in 2017


Award: Australia, who won the Rugby League World Cup last year, will host the tournament in 2017



‘Both bids were thoroughly compelling but the joint Australia/New Zealand bid was selected as the one with the greatest chance of success in providing more compelling games in world class environments in front of big, passionate crowds.’


It will be the third time the two southern hemisphere rivals have staged the event together, after they were co-hosts in 1968 and 1977.


South Africa, who entered a team in

the 1995 and 2008 World Cups, have only a fledging domestic game but

argued they could help spread the game internationally and believed, as

hosts, they would have been granted government recognition.


‘The

bid from South Africa was very strong, prepared professionally and

clearly demonstrated a passion for rugby league that is growing by the

day in that country,’ Wood said.


Co-hosts: New Zealand will join forces with Australia


Co-hosts: New Zealand will join forces with Australia



Australia successfully staged the 2008 World Cup, managing to generate good crowds and a profit of around £2million which was ploughed back into the international game, but that was topped in 2013 by the effort organised by England and Wales.


A total of 457,483 fans watched the 28 matches in 2013, with sell-outs from Rochdale to Avignon and Halifax to Old Trafford, where the attendance of 74,468 for the final set a new record for international rugby league.


Wednesday’s announcement means the England team could be travelling to the southern hemisphere three times in the next four years.


Australia and New Zealand are due to co-host the 2014 Four Nations Series and there are plans to bring back the British and Irish Lions tour in 2016.


The RLIF is expected to announce details of the Four Nations tournament shortly.


Meanwhile, the NRL has announced that the Sydney Football Stadium will host the 2014 Anzac Test on Friday, May 2.


It will be the first time the Kangaroos have played the Kiwis in Sydney since the 2008 World Cup and their first outing since regaining the trophy at Old Trafford in November.


‘Together with New Zealand we will stage a World Cup that will capture the imagination of fans and leave a lasting legacy for the sport,’ said NRL chief executive Dave Smith.


‘It’s such an exciting time for the international game and members and fans across Australia and New Zealand now have a special opportunity to be part of it.


‘There are unrivalled opportunities to continue growing international rugby league over the next four years and for the Kangaroos that starts with the Sydney Test against New Zealand in May.’


The NRL has also announced the Pacific Test between Fiji and Samoa will be held at at Penrith on Saturday, May 3, with the winners earning a place in the end-of-season Four Nations Series.











Comments (7)


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LmanAuckland,


Auckland, New Zealand,


32 minutes ago


They don’t really needa a world cup. Game is only played by 2-3 countries





Paul m,


Sydney, Australia,


moments ago


England, Australia, new Zealand, tonga, Samoa……………





cynic,


london, United Kingdom,


1 hour ago


It should always be held in England, where It was formed. That way, we don’t have to get up at ridiculous hours, to watch it. It makes perfect sense!





Jane,


UK,


1 hour ago


If any of the games are held in Perth, start saving now people!! it’s the most expensive city in Australia (New York is cheaper) – you will be ripped off for everything including accommodation, coffee, food drinks. You will be paying close to 10 pounds for a pint of beer!





Paul m,


Sydney, Australia,


moments ago


It won’t be…… It will be based on the eastern side, there are no rugby league teams on the western side of Oz, it’s mostly AFL Over there.





creasey318,


Hull,


2 hours ago


As if they would ever risk giving to a smaller less competitive nation. We need the game to grow so they keep the big teams happy instead. No change there!





movedtoaus,


Palmwoods Queensland,


1 hour ago


If you gave it to a smaller nation you would have empty stadiums. RL could not even fill the stadium for England’s first game in the last world cup. Australia will win anyway so why bother.



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Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26149055


Australia and New Zealand to co-host 2017 Rugby League World Cup
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