DESPITE A last-ditch bout of aggressive lobbying from South Africa, who contested the legitimacy of the tendering process, England were yesterday named the host nation for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
And the tournament will finally go to the largely untapped Asian market in Japan in 2019.
Unsurprisingly in the economic climate, and with 90 per cent of IRB income coming from the competition, the Rugby World Cup Ltd board recommended what they believed to be the most commercially viable hosts.
They were duly accepted by the IRB council, which gathered at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin yesterday, on a vote of 16-10. The required majority was 14.
IRFU representative Pat Whelan was bound by the secret balloting system but, asked about the benefits for Irish rugby of England and Japan being named hosts over Italy and South Africa, he said: “What happened today was pretty obvious, really. Japan, what have they, 49 per cent of the world’s population in South East Asia or something like that? That’s an obvious area that is totally underdeveloped. Giving them the World Cup today for 2019 will make a massive difference. It is a completely new market from a commercial point of view.
“The English situation against Italy, I don’t know. I would think England have a proven track record in this situation. Having it in our own time zone is an advantage to us.”
Italy submitted a similar tender to England by guaranteeing the use of renowned soccer stadiums like the San Siro in Milan and Rome’s Olympic stadium, but England’s rugby traditions always made them a safer bet.
The English delegation, headed by chief executive Francis Baron, have been in Dublin since Sunday, entrenched in a lobbying battle with South Africa and Italy.
At least one meeting took place with the IRFU, and four with the Scottish union, but Wales were always an ally due to several matches being ear-marked for the Millennium Stadium. “We had a good meeting with the Irish union this week,” said Baron, “and we made it clear we will seek to accommodate the home unions with regards to venues.”
Their projected €300 million surplus in 2015 would surpass the €122 million return from France 2007 and certainly the expected operating loss of New Zealand in 2011. The IRB are guaranteed at least €50 million from New Zealand, with that increasing to €80 million for the 2015 and 2019 tournaments.
Presuming the Millennium Stadium and iconic venues like Wembley and Old Trafford are secured, the RFU predict gross ticket sales of €195 million, excluding Vat, with 2.8 million people attending, an average of 57,000 per game. This would, again, beat the record from France of 2.25 million people.
The English FA and RFU are working closely on that, said Baron. “They are looking for our support for 2018 (the soccer World Cup), so we both have a degree of common interest as they want to use Twickenham as part of their bid.”
The start date is pencilled in for September 4th with the final on October 17th.
South African union deputy president Mark Alexander, while complimenting the process of naming two host nations at once, said the South African economy will miss out on €10.5 billion rand (almost €1 billion) as a result of yesterday’s failed bid.
Alexander contested the suggestion that their failure to sell out many of the Lions tour matches and tickets prices were key factors in the decision. “At the Lions series we had more spectators at our games than the previous two Lions tours. The price of tickets is comparable to ticket prices around the world.
“The IRB feel there is a more elaborate commercial programme in the UK and a better market to raise commercial funds.”
Another potential factor in the vote was the looming decision, on August 13th, on whether to allow Sevens rugby into the Olympics. The idea has been to portray rugby as a global game. Giving host status to Japan goes a long way to creating this perception.
