Australia wins hosting rights to two World Cups
The Sydney Harbour Bridge lit up in resplendent green and gold on Thursday night as Australia was awarded hosting rights for the 2027 (men’s) and 2029 (women’s) Rugby World Cups.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and Wallaroos skipper Shannon Parry were at the Sydney Opera House as the bridge lit up and World Rugby cast its final votes in Australia’s favour.
The decision to award Australia hosting rights for both tournaments was a fait accompli after a successful campaign to win over the game’s powerbrokers.
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Australia set for twin Rugby World Cups
It will be the third time Australia has hosted the men’s World Cup after co-hosting the first tournament in 1987 with New Zealand then winning sole rights in 2003.
“What an opportunity for young players,” Hooper said.
“What a time to be a part of rugby and as someone who’s probably going to be on the other side of it then, but for some of younger guys to be part of that… what a great era or chapter of Australian rugby.”
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Wallabies legend Tim Horan tweeted that it was “the most significant moment in Australian rugby’s history” since winning the 1991 World Cup.
It was busy night for World Rugby who announced the host nations for the men’s and women’s World Cups for the period 2025-2033, a total of five tournaments.
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Using a new partnership hosting model, World Rugby wants to give the same country back-to-back World Cups, believing it will “underpin the growth of the sport”.
The American market is regarded by World Rugby as an area of untapped potential, in both a commercial and sporting sense.
The 2015 men’s World Cup in Japan was the first to be held in Asia.
In some parts of the world, the men’s tournament — held every four years — ranks No.3 in global sports events behind the Olympics and the football World Cup.