Australia to stage rugby league World Cup

Plans were today unveiled for a rugby league World Cup to be held in Australia in the autumn of 2008, as part of the celebrations to mark the centenary of the game in the southern hemisphere.

It will be the first rugby league World Cup since Britain staged the 2000 event and follows Australia’s success in hosting the recent rugby union World Cup.

“Given the progress that is being made, we are extremely optimistic about the 2008 World Cup,” said Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) chairman Colin Love.

“Anyone at the Cougar World Sevens who saw the skills of PNG, Tonga, France, Russia and Fiji in particular will realise that there is plenty of talent outside of Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain.

“The World Cup will be about supporting that talent and giving those countries something to aim for.”

The RLIF also confirmed this year’s Tri-Nations Series involving Australia, New Zealand and hosts Great Britain, although no dates or venues have been announced.

The teams will play each other twice at the end of the season, with the winners meeting in the final, provisionally arranged for November 20.

The tournament will be repeated in 2005 and 2006, again in Britain, with a possibility of Australia hosting an international tournament in 2007 as a lead-in to the World Cup.

The Kangaroos will play a match in the United States on their way to Britain in October to assist the efforts of former Sydney St George player David Nui in establishing rugby league in America.

The Sydney summit also announced a tournament for “developing players” in New Zealand at the end of 2004 season involving England A and a world youth championship, which the Moscow City Council are keen to host.

“The progress that is being made internationally is indeed encouraging for rugby league,” added Love. “The RLIF has received reports on both the European Championship and the Victory Cup which are creating substantial northern hemisphere interest.

“Events such as the Cougar World Sevens and the upcoming World Club Challenge are further assisting to grow the game’s profile.”

Love was today re-elected unopposed as RLIF chairman, with Rugby Football League executive chairman Richard Lewis taking over as vice-chairman from Maurice Lindsay, who was made a life member.

New Zealand’s Selwyn Pearson was appointed to the RLIF executive in place France’s Jean-Paul Ferre.