International rugby league road map: Kenya, South Africa bid for 2030 World Cup, Kangaroo Tour returns
International rugby league “lost its way”, but it is back in a big way with the return of an iconic tour and a bid to take the World Cup to Africa as part of a five-year strategy. SEE THE PLAN.
Rugby league’s international push is set to continue with the likes of Kenya, South Africa and the US formally submitting bids to host the 2030 World Cup.
An Australian Ashes tour of England for later this year has also been confirmed as a highlight of the International Rugby League’s road map of fixtures for the next five years.
It also includes five countries bidding for the 2030 tournament with rugby league keen to explore a new market.
Australia and Papua New Guinea will host the 2026 World Cup and PNG has again put up its hand to back up again in 2030 – three years after the PNG side comes into the NRL.
PNG, Kenya, South Africa, US and New Zealand want to host the 2030 World Cup.
While keen to grow the game, the International Rugby League is wary of non-traditional markets after it was burnt by France’s decision to pull out of hosting duties for the World Cup, which was scheduled for this year.
Crucially, each bid country must have government support.
France, Kenya, New Zealand and PNG are also bidding for the 2028 women’s World Cup and England, US and France want to host the 2029 World Cup.
The International Rugby League now has 60 member nations and a new world series qualification tournament meant there were more international matches last year than ever before.
“I couldn’t be more grateful for the thousands of volunteers worldwide that make the playing of rugby league possible globally,” international rugby league chairman Troy Grant said. “The board are united and working well with amazing contributions from Peter V’landys on the back of the NRL’s brilliant Vegas initiative giving international rugby league the breath of fresh air it needed after it lost its way.
“There’s no more mickey mouse stuff occurring or ad hoc fixtures occurring.
“All aspects of the game are improving player welfare and professionalism from nations is giving clubs more confidence. Better communication and a clearer calendar has also helped.
“There’s always more to do and more to improve but it’s tracking nicely a far cry from five years ago when quite frankly three new independent directors walked into a tuck shop operation.”
The return of the Ashes Tour for the first time in more than 20 years is a coup. There hasn’t been a full Kangaroo Tour since 1994, although Australia embarked on shortened tours in 2001 and 2003.
However, with the Kangaroos touring the UK later this year, it means they will not be defending their Pacific Championships crown. Instead, New Zealand, Samoa and 2024 finalists Tonga will contest the event, and Fiji, PNG and Cook Islands will again compete in the Pacific Bowl tournament.
The hopeful World Cup bidders will be considered at an International Rugby League meeting next month.
