Rugby League World Cup Heads Down Under: Australia to Host, PNG to Share the Spotlight
Announcement of the Rugby League World Cup: Australia to Host with Matches in PNG
The International Rugby League (IRL) has announced that Australia will be the primary host for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, with some matches set to take place in Papua New Guinea (PNG). This decision came after France, initially slated to host the event, withdrew due to financial constraints. Despite these challenges, France has managed to secure funding for the Rugby World Cup, highlighting the ongoing commitment to the sport.
The IRL’s financial difficulties are a significant concern, particularly as the organisation struggles to promote and grow Rugby League in Europe, where it is headquartered. The slow growth in Europe has made it difficult to raise the necessary funds to advance the game. Adequate funding is essential not only to sustain the sport but also to organize more matches involving tier two countries. These efforts are crucial for expanding Rugby League’s reach and fostering its development in emerging regions.
In contrast, Rugby League is experiencing robust growth in the southern hemisphere. The National Rugby League (NRL) in Australia is thriving, with discussions underway to potentially expand to a 20-team competition within the next five years. This expansion reflects the sport’s increasing popularity and the strong fan base in the region.
Currently, eight of the top ten ranked Rugby League teams in the world are based in the southern hemisphere, underscoring the sport’s dominance in this part of the world. England and France are the only European teams to make it into the top ten, highlighting the disparity between the regions.
Gus Gould, a prominent figure in the NRL, has suggested in the media that the NRL should take over the IRL and place Rugby League under one umbrella. It makes a lot of sense, as without Australia and New Zealand, the international game would be dead and buried. The majority of the players representing the top 10 countries in the World Cup all play in and are contracted to the NRL. This means that the NRL controls when and how the international games are played, not the IRL.
The upcoming Rugby League World Cup promises to be an exciting event, showcasing the sport’s top talent and further cementing its growing influence, particularly in the southern hemisphere. As the IRL continues to navigate its financial challenges, the focus remains on expanding and promoting Rugby League globally, with the World Cup serving as a central platform for this mission.
