RA Chairman Hamish McLennan confident time is right for World Cup Bid

Thu, May 20, 2021, 2:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Game On for Australia's Bid to host Rugby World Cup 2027-29 Hype Reel

Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan is confident the time is right for Australia to host the Rugby World Cup in 2027.

RA and the bid committee officially revealed the bid on Thursday, launching the 'Game On' campaign at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

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As the sport continues its recovery after the COVID outbreak, McLennan believes the event will help inspire the next generation of players coming through the pathways in time for the tournament.

“I think it's critical for boys and girls so they can identify and see it in their home country in 2027. It’ll be a big lift for grassroots Rugby to get that investment to drive the game forward,” McLennan told reporters.

“We’re not thinking about missing out. We’re dedicated to winning.

“We’re not being complacent, what you saw today was a highly professional, well-organised bid process. Most people at World Rugby think that we’re ahead of the curve but we’re not being complacent and we’re putting the right resources in place.

“Everyone knows that we’re serious so I think we stand a good chance if we play our cards right.”

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Australia is expected to face stiff competition in the bidding process.

Given the current world climate, McLennan pointed to the success the nation has had in hosting events throughout the past 12 months as a key advantage they possess.

“I think it’s due to come here. We’ve proven in a post-pandemic world we can manage these big events better than anyone," he added.

McLennan and RA are also banking on the recent drought that Southern Hemisphere nations have had in hosting the event.

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The past two World Cups in 2015 (UK) and 2019 (Japan) have been held in the north, with the 2023 edition set for France.

This current trend is ready to end according to the Chairman, who hinted World Rugby have already indicated their intentions to hold RWC27 south of the equator.

“We’re well organised and we’ve proven that we can do it,” he believes.

“We’re a great rugby nation. We’re a historic nation, it goes back well over 100 years in terms of our commitment to the game.

“I think there’s a general acknowledgment that it’s due to come south. It’s been quite a few years since it’s been played in the Southern Hemisphere and we’re one of the most historic rugby nations going forward so they know that we’ll manage the tournament well.”

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