THE IRB HAS said it will deal with recent concerns expressed by New Zealand relating to the heavy financial toll the country has taken from hosting this year’s Rugby World Cup, according to Reuters.
The head of the New Zealand Rugby Union federation, Steve Tew, had previously indicated that a boycott of the 2015 World Cup was an option they would consider, as he claims the competition’s current structure causes them to lose too much money.
Under the current rules, the All Blacks’ schedule for the Tri Nations and the November games against European opposition is heavily disrupted.
Tew told New Zealand radio:
“In the current environment, we just can’t afford to run a World Cup-year loss, nor do we think it’s necessary.”
He added that the chance of the side competing in 2015 was “very slim”.
And following Tew’s remarks, the IRB released a statement, which promised to look into New Zealand’s complaints, and noted:
“All tournament commercial revenues are re-invested by the IRB across its 117 member Unions during the four-year cycle between tournaments to increase competitiveness and advance development in order that rugby can be a truly global sport.”
England will be the venue for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, with Japan set to host the event in 2019.
Yeah right they’d pull out of RWC15. They would have rioting on the streets of every city and town in NZ if they tried that one. If you’re going to bluff at least try something believable.
Could you imagine if Brazil pulled out of the FIFA World Cup? Or India from the cricket? Or Kilkenny from the GAA?? It’s ridiculous to suggest a move like that. I thought Aussies were bad last week, but this is just ludicrous!
At least threaten to do something that you might actually do without the realistic of a national mutiny!
Wingin gits..
While we are on the subject off the All-Blacks does anyone know why time can be made to accommodate the Haka, but time can’t be made to play Amhrán na bhFiann and Ireland Call?
It was always the Poms who were accused of whinging by our Southern Hemisphere cousins. However this World Cup has shown the Aussies and now the Kiwi’s to be even better at it. Could they not work out the costs BEFORE hosting it? Could they not get the NZ government to put a tournament tax on the profit bars, hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions have made from the visiting teams supporters. Maybe they expect the IRB to pay for the cost of the damage done by the earthquake as well? Boycott 2015 ….yeah right. What a shower.
Or Man Utd pulling out of the FA Cup?….oh.