The BBC is reporting that South Africa is one of three countries to express an interest in hosting the 2025 Rugby League World Cup, after plans to stage it in France collapsed.
Fiji and Qatar are apparently the other countries to express an interest.
All possibilities – including putting the tournament back a year, or even cancelling it – are up for discussion, according to Troy Grant, Chairman of the International Rugby League.
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“We’ve done no due diligence at this stage on any of those expressions of interest,” said Grant. “It gives me comfort that there is interest in our sport, our tournament, our World Cup. That’s a positive. How real or viable any or all of those options are… we’ve yet to make those assessments.”
A strategy and governance committee of the IRL will meet in June, then present all of the options to the IRL board when they gather in July. A definitive decision on the staging and hosting of the tournament is most likely to be made at that meeting.
A combination of New Zealand and Australia co-hosting the tournament remains favourite.
Grant again expressed his dismay at France’s withdrawal, which came after local governments failed to meet deadlines to underwrite the costs of staging matches and the national government said it was not financially viable.
“Whilst the meeting the other day with the French government was disappointing, I am reassured of their commitment to the French game,” said Grant. “France remains a number one strategy for the IRL. Our aspiration was that this World Cup was the launching pad for further investment in a professional league in France and it’s continual growth. The IRL will not abandon France.”
