https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...ture-with-world-cup-wins-20180314-p4z4cx.html
Sydney stadium plan can help ensure rugby's future with World Cup wins
Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle has urged the NSW Government to go through with its $2.5 billion plan to redevelop Sydney stadiums because she believes the health of the code could hinge on whether Australia hosts a Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Castle said Sydney needed an improved rectangular stadium if it were to have any chance of hosting a Rugby World Cup final.
If Australia is going to be a genuine chance of hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2027 and the women’s showpiece event in 2021, Castle said NSW needed revamped stadiums so World Rugby could give Australia a green light to host the tournament.
In December, Rugby Australia outlined its intention to bid for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021 – an event it has never hosted – as well as the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which last came to Australia in 2003.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Sports Minister Stuart Ayres are in favour of the stadium upgrades but a final decision on the controversial policy could still be weeks away.
Castle, the former Canterbury Bulldogs chief executive, has spent the past week in Dublin speaking to World Rugby bosses about bids for the two major events.
World Rugby executives will be keeping an eye on whether NSW does go through with plans to rebuild Allianz Stadium and ANZ Stadium.
“The criteria for the bids is yet to be confirmed but its clear that stadium infrastructure is going to carry significant weight in our bids for both the 2021 Women’s and 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cups,” said Castle in a statement.
"We have been consistent in our view that Sydney does not currently have dedicated rectangular stadiums that satisfy the requirements of these major events in terms of capacity and fan experience.
"To be considered a serious contender, we need multiple options for quality venues and we have been very clear with the NSW Government of the need to have a dedicated large-scale rectangular stadium if it wants to host a Rugby World Cup final.
“The NSW Government under Premier Gladys Berejiklian have shown strong vision and leadership in forging ahead with plans to build world class stadiums at Olympic Park and Moore Park and we look forward to the opening of the new Parramatta Stadium next year.
“It was also encouraging last week to see the NSW State Opposition Leader, Luke Foley, publicly back the rebuild of ANZ Stadium.”
A stadium upgrade is more important for the men’s World Cup, purely for the fact fewer fans are expected to attend the women’s event in 2021.
Bidding for the Women’s World Cup begins in mid-2018 but it is the tournament in 2027 that will be Rugby Australia’s primary focus.
There was a 20 per cent increase in junior rugby registrations after Australia hosted the 2003 World Cup, where the Wallabies fell to England in the final thanks to a drop-goal from Jonny Wilkinson.
Castle said there would be a major flow-on effect if Australia hosted a World Cup and that might depend on whether the stadium upgrade goes ahead.
“Hosting both the women’s and men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia around a 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour would provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the game, all sports fans and the country,” Castle said. “On the back of the 2016 Rio Olympics we’ve seen a surge in participation in the sevens format, particular in young girls and women after the gold medal success of our women’s team.
“It isn’t just rugby that will benefit from hosting these World Cups, the impact will be felt across the country. The most recent Rugby World Cup in England provided a massive economic windfall for the British Government, as well as bringing in over 400,000 visitors and creating tens of thousands of jobs.
“We are planning a very strong bid and look forward to kicking off that process over the coming months.”
