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WORLD Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont suggested Thursday the World Cup could be held in non-traditional rugby nations following France in 2023, as he hailed the game’s growing popularity in Asia due to Japan’s hosting of the tournament next year.
The comments will likely send a shiver down the backs of Rugby Australia, who last December stated that they would bid to host the 2027 World Cup.
With exactly 12 months to go until the battle for the Webb Ellis trophy kicks off in Tokyo, Beaumont also predicted one of the most competitive and unpredictable tournaments yet, tipping free-flowing Fiji as a dark horse team to watch.
“World Rugby will have to have a philosophical debate going forward” over where future World Cups should be held, Beaumont told reporters at an event to mark the year-to-go celebrations.
“It’s important that we are commercially successful but we do need to have that debate whether the next World Cup following France will go to an emerging country or an established country that actually needs a bit of help as well,” he added.
“Do you say to Argentina, do you say to Ireland, Canada, the USA, these are countries we’re going to because actually strategically, that is going to make the biggest difference in that area?”
Beaumont said the decision had been taken to award the World Cup to Japan -- far from a traditional rugby stronghold -- because of the “huge growth potential” in Asia.
Asian rugby officials aim to get one million more people playing the game and they are nearly 90 per cent of the way to achieving that, he said.
“In fact, there are over 200,000 more rugby players here in Japan than there were two or three years ago, which is a huge achievement,” said the former England captain.
On the pitch, smaller rugby countries are closing the gap with traditional giants New Zealand, Australia, France and the home nations, and Beaumont predicted next year’s tournament would be very tight.
He said that “none of the so-called fancied teams will want to play against Fiji” who have twice upset the odds to reach the quarter-finals in rugby’s showcase event.
Fiji kick off their campaign on September 21 against Australia, who have endured a torrid time in the Rugby Championship, losing to Argentina last week for the first time on home turf in 35 years.
“Last World Cup they (Fiji) had a very tough group,” said World Rugby Vice-Chairman and former Pumas captain Agustin Pichot.
“This time, if they get their act together, they could really get to the quarter-finals or even go further.”
Beaumont noted that the mighty All Blacks — the World Cup winners in 2011 and 2015 — had shown a crack in their armour, losing 36-34 last week to South Africa.
“You are seeing England in a bit of a decline,” Beaumont said.
“What are they gong to be like?
“New Zealand lose a game, everyone goes ‘wow.’
“Argentina are coming back strongly.
“Ireland and Wales look very strong. South Africa look strong.
“The actual competition itself will be really good, really tight in all the games and it should be an outstanding spectacle to showcase our game.”
The shock defeat of New Zealand to the Springboks has given other teams some hope that the all-conquering All Blacks can be beaten.
The World Cup kicks off on September 20, with hosts Japan taking on Russia in Tokyo, hoping to emulate their heroics of four years ago when they shocked South Africa.
“We don’t know yet how the Japanese team is going to go but being local, having that home advantage, they will be serious contenders to do something special,” Pichot said.
“They show up for big tournaments.”
https://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/...465dd23d064783
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Probably kinder than having to openly tell RA not to be so bloody ridiculous....
Australia shouldn't get it anyway. Will be relying on overseas support to ensure that stadiums aren't empty.
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board
If Australia misses out, it's probably your fault
The truth may set you free, but only evidence convicts
The Wallabies will be a minnow side by 2027.
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board
O'Neill was pretty clear about it ahead of the 2015/19 bids (https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/ru...-host-aru-says). Regardless of what one might think of him as an administrator, you would have to say he was always a complete banker.
Nothing in the equation he describes has changed, other than the asking price having increased enormously and the sports popularity and financial position in Australia having become even more precarious. It is a bloody stupid idea, reeking of desperation and/or misdirection.
Oh wow, it's just so INTERESTING that it's never the old Five Nations countries that miss out in the rotation. OH GOLLY!
I've got an idea, South Africa, Australia and Argentina are the next hosters. Separate countries, in separate regions of the world. All three of those nations can do with a boost to the game's profile. They can share a few games with Uruguay, Chile, Namibia, Madagascar, Fiji and so forth
And that world cup in France, it better do something to promote the game in Italy; and even Spain and Portugal for that matter. Otherwise it's a waste.
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
The soccer European Championships is planning to not have a host country for the 2020; the tournament is held over a month, but teams hop around 12 different venues. Rugby could do something similar and host the world cup over the same 6 week period, but have teams jump around between venues.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon
France coughed up more than the bid fee and hoovered up the votes. The bid recommendation was horse manure. SA ahead of Ireland on security FMD.
As for the Soccer that Euro tournament is to celeberate an anniversary.