Rugby league to make bold push for Olympics inclusion as part of sweeping changes

This year’s World Cup is just the start as the new man in charge of the international game is flagging sweeping changes with an emphasis on earning an invite to sport’s ultimate event.

Wade Graham and Daly Cherry-Evans of Australia lift the trophy with team mates after victory in the Men's Rugby League World Cup 9s Final over New Zealand during the Downer Rugby League World Cup 9's competition at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, October 19, 2019. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Rugby league in the Olympics? How about matches played in India or the Middle East. Plus a World Cup in North America.

These are the lofty ambitions of former NSW Police Minister Troy Grant who was appointed chairman of International Rugby League (IRL).

The IRL are pressing ahead with plans to have this year’s World Cup go ahead in England. But in the background, Grant, who was part of the NRL’s Project Apollo team last year, has great ambition for the international game.

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Australia won the 2019 World Nines.

“We want France to host the 2025 World Cup,” Grant said.

“We’ve moved away from the traditional bidding process where we chased money and went to the highest bidder. We need to be strategic. The aim of 2025 is to rebuild France and make sure it becomes a competitive country. We need France, Scotland, Ireland and Wales to be as competitive as teams in the Pacific. We’re in deep work with the French government.”

Grant wants to take the 2029 World Cup to North America. He also wants to push on with plans to expand the world nine’s circuit. Australia won the 2019 tournament at Bankwest Stadium and the NRL hold the rights of the 2023 version.

However, Grant has big plans for the growth of the abbreviated format of the game.

“We need to take nines into new markets,” Grant said. “Places like the Middle East, India and Asia. That’s where we need to explore.

The international game is in for a major overhaul.

“There should be the focus on using the nine’s format as our promotional vehicle for the game to increase participation and eye balls on the sport across the globe. Let’s see what our opportunities are in India or the Middle East. Locations that would really open the world up to rugby league and to what the nine’s format has to offer.”

Grant also wants to lobby the International Olympic Committee to find a spot for nine’s. With Brisbane expected to host the 2032 Olympics, Grant wants a version of rugby league introduced at least as a demonstration sport.

“We would be negligent if we didn’t push hard to have nines feature,” Grant said.

“If we aren’t aiming big like that to really advance the sport then we are letting the code down.”

Troy Grant has some bold plans for the game.

The most pressing matter is finalising an international calendar which Grant expects to have done by the middle of the year. He has spent countless hours meeting with NRL clubs and other stakeholders.

“There will be better transparency and a lot more consultation and communication,” Grant said.

“The ARL Commission’s investment in the Pacific has been monumental. We need to replicate that in the northern hemisphere. For too long the IRL hasn’t had its act together. There was minimal to zero consultation between the IRL and vital stakeholders which has now changed.

“It is a new day in that regard.”