'I think we'd kill it' - Michael Cheika backs Australian bid for 2027 World Cup
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has thrown his support behind an anticipated bid by Rugby Australia to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Australia last hosted rugby’s premier event in 2003, which was lauded as a success for the Wallabies as they reached the tournament’s final before falling short to a Jonny Wilkinson-inspired England side in the final minute of extra-time.
The World Cup was also a hit off the field throughout Australia, as the country embraced the atmosphere and excitement that comes with the quadrennial event.
President of Rugby Australia, Tim Gavin, told News Limited earlier this week that it was time for Australia to host another World Cup after observing the support the Wallabies have received during their time in Japan over the past month.
“We put on a fantastic Rugby World Cup in 2003 and there is no reason we can’t do it again, bigger and better,” he said.
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“We have new stadiums coming on line and some fantastic rectangular grounds to watch rugby are already there.
“Only the English have more supporters in Japan than the 40,000-odd Aussies following the Wallabies at this World Cup and that just shows how popular the game is at the grassroots to back our own tournament.”
Although the formal bidding process is yet to get underway, it’s likely that World Rugby will name the hosts of the 2027 and 2031 World Cups in two years’ time.
Australia, which announced it would put forward a bid for the tournament in December 2017, will have competition in the form of Argentina and Russia, as both nations’ rugby unions have already stated their intentions to put forward bids for the 2027 Cup.
The Irish are at it again. Not for the first time during the Rugby World Cup, an Irish writer has had a crack at the All Blacks. #RWC2019 https://t.co/8xDmqLG9Nf
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 9, 2019
Following on from their successful hosting of the 2018 Sevens World Cup, the United States have also been encouraged by World Rugby boss Brett Gosper to put forward a bid for the tournament, which would fall a year after the nation co-hosts the FIFA World Cup with Mexico and Canada, and a year before Los Angeles holds the Olympic Games.
After unsuccessful bids to host the 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 World Cups, South Africa could also come into consideration to host the tournament, 32 years after the Rainbow Nation held their only World Cup in 1995.
The success that has ensued with the current World Cup being held in Japan, traditionally a minnow rugby nation, could sway World Rugby to take the tournament to another tier two country, especially with the 2023 edition to be held in France, a traditional rugby powerhouse.
That shouldn’t diminish the credibility of Australia as World Cup hosts, however, with an overhaul of the nation’s stadia – which is set to be completed by 2027 – making the world’s sixth-ranked country an attractive option.
Speaking ahead of his side’s final pool match against Georgia in Shizuoka on Friday, Cheika believed that Australia would do an admirable job of holding the tournament for the third time in their history after co-hosting the 1987 World Cup with New Zealand and playing the role of sole hosts 16 years ago.
“I think we’d kill it and I say that in a positive way,” Cheika replied when asked about the prospect, according to ESPN.
“If there’s one [thing] we like to do at home and that’s put on a good show; we’ve got so many sports fans there.
“It was 2003 wasn’t it, the one in Australia? A great place for people, I feel like I’m working for the tourism board here, but it’s a place you want to come for a holiday, too.
“The players won’t be coming for a holiday but the spectators [would love it], and you’ve seen how many there are in all the stadiums.
“If I lived overseas and I was a foreigner, it would be the one place I’d want to go to watch a World Cup, that’s for sure…it’d be big for the whole game if the World Cup was played in Australia, without a doubt.”
They're the biggest show in Tokyo, airing most days and everyone's hoping they'll get an extended run. #RWC2019 https://t.co/dHIfkQYcSd
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 9, 2019
Playing in his first World Cup, Wallabies midfielder Samu Kerevi was in awe of the way in which Japan has taken to the tournament.
“I think I said it in an interview a couple of days ago, just the buzz and the feeling around the people itself as a nation; there’s whispers that they’ve been learning other national anthems just to sing and be part of all different teams,” Kerevi said.
“Just to hear that, for a nation to buy into a Rugby World Cup is amazing and obviously you get that at different World Cups, but there’s just something different about the Japanese.
“They’re so welcoming, the detail around how we get to stadiums, little things from the change-rooms begin changed to each team; we walk into our change room and Australia [is] written there.
“And there’s a couple of games every weekend and they’ll be different; it’s not like New Zealand will have our name up there.
“So there’s little details, changing the whole stadium just to make us feel at home, I think it’s a little minor detail but it’s awesome. And they’ve really received every team really well, so I’m really enjoying it at the moment.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments