Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver indicated that "Australia may bid for the 2019 World Cup if the tournament is taken away from Japan," according to Bret Harris of THE AUSTRALIAN. Japan’s role as host "is in doubt after World Rugby asked them to assure they could still deliver a successful tournament following the Japanese government’s decision to remove the new National Stadium from the venues list." The chance to host the World Cup "could potentially reap a massive windfall for Australia as it did when New Zealand was stripped of their sub-hosting rights" in '03. Pulver said, "I hope sincerely that Japan doesn’t fall over. I doubt they will fall over. We did not bid for the 2019 World Cup. We desperately want another World Cup as quickly as we can. Tactically, we would have to establish whether it made sense for us if it was opened up to go in or whether it made sense to clear out one of the countries that would most likely be in the pathway before us" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 8/28).
'REVISED ROAD MAP': REUTERS reported World Rugby demanded Japan send a new proposal for its 2019 World Cup venues and provide assurances about the tournament’s "financial security" after Tokyo’s National Stadium was scrapped. World Rugby said it had set out "a revised road map" for organizers to follow in delivering the tournament. The governing body said, "World Rugby is seeking formal reassurance regarding the following key hosting criteria by the end of September in order to undertake a thorough review and analysis of the information." World Rugby added that the loss of the National Stadium would have a "significant impact on the overall ticketing capacity and tournament budget" (
REUTERS, 8/27). WALES ONLINE's Andy Howell wrote the country "has other stadiums that could host the event, including one in Yokohama just south of Tokyo," which was the scene for the final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. But "there could be repercussions over reduced ticket revenues because any replacement venue would have fewer seats than the planned stadium." Nevertheless, World Rugby said that it remains confident that "the criteria can be met by the Japan Rugby 2019 Organizing Committee and that the first Rugby World Cup in Asia will be a resounding success" (
WALES ONLINE, 8/27).
FRESH PLANS: The AFP reported Japan promised a new list of venues for the 2019 Rugby World Cup "after rugby's governing body demanded fresh plans." Japan World Cup Organizing Committee CEO Akira Shimazu said, "World Rugby and the Rugby World Cup 2019 organizing committee have engaged in talks over venue and budget plans in light of the development that the new national stadium won't be available. Both World Rugby and us are taking forward-looking approaches, and we are working hard to reach an agreement by the end of September at the latest" (
AFP, 8/27).
