Australia throw hat in for RWC 2027

Sydney - Australia will bid to host the 2021 women's and 2027 men's World Cups, Rugby Australia said on Wednesday, building on government plans to construct new stadiums in Sydney.

Australia successfully co-hosted the men's edition in 1987 with New Zealand and hosted the 2003 event alone, but has never staged a women’s World Cup.

"The World Cup is the pinnacle for our Wallabies and Wallaroos teams and we want to bring those tournaments home for any player who has ever dreamed of lifting the Cup here on our home soil," Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne said.

He said given Australia's track record in hosting major events such as the 2000 Olympics, Rugby Australia was "supremely confident of delivering a tournament like no other in 2021".

"With the NSW state government's commitment to build a network of three world-class rectangular venues in Sydney, adding to the mix of quality stadiums available across the country, our prospects of bringing the World Cups to Australia have never been better."

The 2021 women's World Cup will be ninth edition of the tournament, which was first contested in 1991. It has never been held in the southern hemisphere.

Australia won the first of its two men's World Cups in England in 1991, repeating the feat eight years later in Wales.

SA RUGBY TO DUEL AUSTRALIA FOR 2027 HOSTING RIGHTS?

Australia's intentions to host the 2027 men's Rugby World Cup could see them come up against South Africa, who last month lost out to France for the rights to host the 2023 tournament.

SA Rugby has not yet indicated whether it would bid for the 2027 event, but it has the option to do so.

Last month, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said that after a fourth successive disappointment in the Rugby World Cup bidding process it was difficult to know where South Africa would go from here.

“It will be for the next generation of SA Rugby leaders to decide whether to compete for the 2027 tournament or beyond,” Alexander said.

“I am sure our country will fulfil the dream of hosting the tournament once again someday; our hearts bleed that it will not be in 2023.”