IRB chief says WC can return to NZ
International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset praised an “exceptional” World Cup on Monday and said New Zealand had put itself in position to host the tournament again.
“Yes, why not?” Lapasset told a news conference when asked if New Zealand, whose All Blacks beat France 8-7 in a tense final at Eden Park on Sunday, could hold another World Cup.
“It has been one of the best tournaments ever. The Rugby World Cup is not just to make money, it is also for rugby and we have a lot of rugby reasons to come back to New Zealand.
“New Zealand proved they are a great rugby nation and have a great capacity to run a big and successful tournament.”
The first World Cup staged solely in New Zealand – after it co-hosted the inaugural 1987 tournament, which the All Blacks also won, with Australia – is slated to make a $NZ40 million (US$32 million), according to official figures.
But sponsor MasterCard estimated the shortfall would be dwarfed by the NZ$750 million ($654 million benefit) to the overall economy from increased tourism and consumer spending, with more than NZ$2 billion long-term benefits.
And with the World Cup providing 95 percent of the IRB’s income, Australia coach Robbie Deans, who is a New Zealander, wondered if this edition might be the last in his home country.
But Lapasset said the tournament’s seventh edition had achieved all its targets, calling it a “sporting and operational success” which had “set the bar” for future World Cup hosts, starting with England in four years’ time.
“New Zealanders should be proud of their event,” the Frenchman added.
“They made it special by embracing the tournament the length and breadth of the country, welcoming all 20 teams and 100,000 international visitors with open arms.
“It was quite remarkable. It has also taken our sport to new audiences and has set the bar for future hosts.”
New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Mike Eagle said the tournament had proved the country, whose infrastructure capability was questioned by some pundits in the lead-up to the World Cup, was capable of staging major events.
“We’ve shown that we can run a tournament and let’s hope for people in years to come that we can see the Rugby World Cup back down here in New Zealand,” he said.
The IRB added that revenue from the commercial programme at this World Cup, including broadcast, sponsorship and travel and hospitality would deliver an estimated £80 million ($128 million) net surplus boost to rugby worldwide.
In the 2009-2012 investment cycle, the IRB said it would spend £150 million to develop rugby around the world in order that “future Rugby World Cups are more competitive and that more men, women and children can play the game”.
AFP
