RA CEO Andy Marinos is confident the 2027 Rugby World Cup can set rugby up for the future after they were announced as the preferred hosting candidate.
The announcement came overnight from World Rugby, who will begin targeted dialogue with Australia for the 2027 event as well as the USA for 2031.
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“It’s certainly is a very exciting day for Rugby Australia receiving the news we did of preferred candidate status,” Marinos told the media.
“It puts us in a very good position as we work hand and glove with World Rugby over the next 4-5 months to deliver the optimal model.
“I think for the game and the country it’s a really significant milestone and one that should be celebrated.”
“This potentially secures the future for Rugby for a long, long time in this country,” Bid Executive Director Phil Kearns added.
“With the pathways we have with the Lions coming in ’25, the World Cup in ’27 and England arriving next year, this is a great growth opportunity for Rugby in Australia.”
As the sport continues its recovery from COVID, the event provides a much-desired 'platform' to build for the future.
With lessons from past events firmly on their mind, Marinos was confident they were better equipped to ensure long-lasting benefits from the landmark event.
“It’s going to be a game-changer for us both on and off the field I believe,” he said.
“As Phil (Kearns) alluded to, we have the opportunity now to work with World Rugby to get the best model in place.
“Certainly the lessons we’ve learnt from past marquee events that have come through is we want to make sure we’re looking after the money and revenue and reinvest back into the game to secure its long term sustainability.
“It gives us a platform. It gives optimism and certainly from our perspective, it’s going to give us the chance to reset the commercial landscape.
The timing comes at an ideal time, setting up an impressive calendar of sporting events in the country for the next decade.
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The impressive calendar Marinos references starts with a blockbuster three-Test series against England next July.
This will be followed by the Lions Tour in 2025, just two years before Australia is slated to host the World Cup for a record third time.
The RA CEO believes this provides a perfect incentive for potential players to not only stay in the sport but make the switch to union, as evident in 2003.
"It's going to certainly make a lot of the players playing abroad rethink and any thinking of going abroad," Marinos added.
"It's a huge incentive to play in a World Cup on home soil…it’s a unique experience.
"Not only that but you're talking about the 13, 14-year-olds that are playing now, who have an aspirational pathway across all the codes, have something to look forward to.
“There’s a very big reason why you would want to stay in this country because you can showcase your talent in front of your people and then a few years later with the Olympics. It’s a great runway for Rugby in this country."
