Australia make bid for 2027 Rugby World Cup

Australia have announced that they have launched a bid for the 2027 edition of Rugby World Cup.

Australia successfully co-hosted the 1987 World Cup along with New Zealand and also held outright the 2003 edition where they reached the finals before losing to eventual winners England.

Earlier, Argentina backed out of their bid to host the 2027 World Cup leaving Australia front-runners with Russia being the other contender. The decision will be made by World Rugby in May 2022.

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan described the prospect of hosting the tournament as 'once-in-a-generation opportunity'.

“This is an exciting day for all Australians as we formally put our hand up to host the third-largest sporting event in the world,” McLennan said in a statement.

“Hosting Rugby World Cup 2027 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australia, which would drive substantial economic outcomes for our country, while also providing a lasting legacy for rugby in this region.”

Australia will host the Cricket T20 World Cup and Women’s World Cup basketball next year and the Netball World Cup in 2027 while British and Irish Lions will tour the country in 2025.

Wallabies are currently positioned seventh in the World Rugby Rankings with 83.08 rating points. They will be locking horns with France in a three-Test series in July with Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane being the venues.