Australia And New Zealand To Host Rlwc
A joint bid from Australia and New Zealand has been chosen by the Rugby League Federation to host the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, beating South Africa who also launched a bid.
South Africa launched their rival bid last year having never hosted the Rugby League showpiece event but did stage the 1995 Rugby Union World Cup in 1995 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The UK, France, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand are the only countries who have hosted the main competition since the inaugural edition in 1954 in France with England having hosted the most recent edition last year.
Nigel Wood, vice-chair of the Rugby League Federation said of the announcement: ‘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.’
‘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. 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.’
