'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
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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.
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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
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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
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments