Australia’s bid for the 2027 rugby world cup could benefit NT rugby in a big way
RUGBY Australia has launched its bid to host the 2027 World Cup, which will see a boost in the game across the nation, including in the Territory
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RUGBY Australia has launched its bid to host the 2027 World Cup, which will see a boost in the game across the nation, including in the Territory.
Australia has a long history with the Rugby World Cup, co-hosting the inaugural 1987 edition with New Zealand and more recently hosting the 2003 edition.
The Wallabies are no strangers to success at the top level, taking home the cup in 1991 and 1999, while also reaching the final in 2003 on home soil, and later in 2015.
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The ’03 cup is well remembered by passionate Australian rugby lovers as an event that connected the country and left a legacy that inspired many juniors to take up the sport.
And it’s that legacy and passion for the sport that Rugby Australia wants to reignite in 2027, with NTRU CEO Shane Sullivan seeing it having only a positive impact on NT sport.
“Last time the World Cup was here it generated plenty of buzz around the whole country, everyone got behind it,” Sullivan said.
“The constant exposure of the sport boosted our participation numbers and saw a massive boost in interest among our juniors.
“I’ve been to a couple of World Cups now, and its always great and something I would recommend everyone to get out there and watch.”
The campaign has already generated plenty of support, with fans able to show their support for the bid at Australia2027.rugby.
The bid promises a $2.5 billion boost to the economy and more than two million attendees which will be a boon for grassroots in the NT.
Key for the Territory will be the chance for juniors and aspiring players alike to see players from around the world.
Ahead of the 2003 World Cup, the Wallabies visited the Territory on a training camp, capturing the imagination, and Sullivan hopes that same legacy will be apparent in 2027.
“It’s certainly a possibility and I have spoke to the World Cup bid team around having teams come up for training camps and trial matches in Darwin and Alice Springs,” Sullivan said.
“That would be a massive boost to the game in the NT.
“We’ve spoken to the bid team about a game but the concerns are the restrictions on number of spectators and with TIO Stadium, we sit just under the capacity for a tier-three game.
“Hopefully alongside the NT Government we can work around that and see what we can do to potentially bring a game to the NT but we would certainly look for some trial matches.
“It’s rugby union at the highest level and something the whole country would be a part of.
“Whether we have matches here or not it will be a boost for rugby in the NT. The additional income that Rugby Australia will get will benefit grassroots rugby right across the country.”
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