Japan makes Rugby World Cup bid

[Ryan N]

news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8039476.stm

Japan enters Rugby World Cup race

Japan has officially submitted a bid to host the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The Asian nation, which lost out to New Zealand for 2011, will compete against England, South Africa and Italy, with the winners to be announced in July.

Asia has never staged the Rugby World Cup but the bid, which proposes some matches in Hong Kong and Singapore, has wide support in the region.

"This is a special bid as it is a bid for rugby in Asia," said Japan Rugby Football Union chairman Nobby Mashimo.

With the 2011 tournament being held in the southern hemisphere, England are the strong favourites to host the 2015 World Cup but Japan are the early favourites for 2019.

"With the support of our friends from all 26 unions in the region, and the backing of the Japanese government and business community, we believe that we can deliver a Rugby World Cup that will capture the hearts and minds of people and provide the platform to take rugby to new levels in Asia," insisted Mashimo.

606: DEBATE
Pros for Japan - Proximity to Australia and New Zealand.
Cons - Another expensive trip to the other side of the world for European fans

BackingLeinster

Japan criticised the International Rugby Board after losing out to New Zealand in the bidding for the 2011 World Cup, accusing the sport's traditional powers of "passing the ball among themselves" at the expense of spreading the game globally.

"This time it is not the same," Mashimo said.

"We have no surprises up our sleeve, just our hearts on the table and a new JRFU at the helm, with the country of Japan and friends of Asia dedicated to host and to welcome the expansion of the game into a new frontier."

Australia pulled out of the running for the 2019 World Cup after the International Rugby Board revealed it wanted a guaranteed income of £80m for 2015, increasing to £96m for 2019, from the host nations who also have to pay associated costs.

Japan lost out to New Zealand in the bidding for the 2011 World Cup.

[Druzik]

Good on them actually... this could also play into RLs hands and allow us to get a bit more exposure.

[England 3 Lions]

May 13, 2009 14:42:08 GMT 10 Druzik said:

Good on them actually... this could also play into RLs hands and allow us to get a bit more exposure.

Perhaps the RLIF should ask the south-east Asian nations and/or China if they're interested in bidding for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The tournament would cost less to run than the RWC. This might appeal to some of the Asiatic nations who cannot afford the IRB's asking price.

Indonesia is an option that the RLIF should take seriously. There are many benefits behind hosting the tournament in Indonesia.

They are:

• The country is close to Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand, thus meaning any match played in it would be broadcasted at a viewable hour for Australians, Papua New Guineans and New Zealanders.
  
• It is a popular tourist destination for Australians because flights to the area aren't that expensive. The large amount of Australians who travel to Indonesia would probably attend many of the matches. This would benefit a) the Indonesian economy and b) the RLIF.
  
• The Kumals could play their matches in the West Papua region of Indonesia. If a decent stadium is available in Port Moresby, then their matches could be played there. If the problems with crowd violence in PNG are an issue, then the Queensland Government could settile the issue by sending the military up there, albeit for the right to host a match or two in Townsville, Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
  

[Ryan N]

May 14, 2009 17:49:55 GMT 10 England 3 Lions said:

May 13, 2009 14:42:08 GMT 10 Druzik said:

Good on them actually... this could also play into RLs hands and allow us to get a bit more exposure.

Perhaps the RLIF should ask the south-east Asian nations and/or China if they're interested in bidding for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The tournament would cost less to run than the RWC. This might appeal to some of the Asiatic nations who cannot afford the IRB's asking price.

Indonesia is an option that the RLIF should take seriously. There are many benefits behind hosting the tournament in Indonesia.

They are:

• The country is close to Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand, thus meaning any match played in it would be broadcasted at a viewable hour for Australians, Papua New Guineans and New Zealanders.
  
• It is a popular tourist destination for Australians because flights to the area aren't that expensive. The large amount of Australians who travel to Indonesia would probably attend many of the matches. This would benefit a) the Indonesian economy and b) the RLIF.
  
• The Kumals could play their matches in the West Papua region of Indonesia. If a decent stadium is available in Port Moresby, then their matches could be played there. If the problems with crowd violence in PNG are an issue, then the Queensland Government could settile the issue by sending the military up there, albeit for the right to host a match or two in Townsville, Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
  

The terrorists would love it.

[England 3 Lions]

May 15, 2009 9:50:42 GMT 10 Ryan N said:

May 14, 2009 17:49:55 GMT 10 England 3 Lions said:

Perhaps the RLIF should ask the south-east Asian nations and/or China if they're interested in bidding for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The tournament would cost less to run than the RWC. This might appeal to some of the Asiatic nations who cannot afford the IRB's asking price.

Indonesia is an option that the RLIF should take seriously. There are many benefits behind hosting the tournament in Indonesia.

They are:

• The country is close to Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand, thus meaning any match played in it would be broadcasted at a viewable hour for Australians, Papua New Guineans and New Zealanders.
  
• It is a popular tourist destination for Australians because flights to the area aren't that expensive. The large amount of Australians who travel to Indonesia would probably attend many of the matches. This would benefit a) the Indonesian economy and b) the RLIF.
  
• The Kumals could play their matches in the West Papua region of Indonesia. If a decent stadium is available in Port Moresby, then their matches could be played there. If the problems with crowd violence in PNG are an issue, then the Queensland Government could settile the issue by sending the military up there, albeit for the right to host a match or two in Townsville, Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
  

The terrorists would love it.

That is true. Perhaps the Government should include Indonesia in its "War on Terror".

[Ryan N]

May 16, 2009 16:29:34 GMT 10 England 3 Lions said:

May 15, 2009 9:50:42 GMT 10 Ryan N said:

The terrorists would love it.

That is true. Perhaps the Government should include Indonesia in its "War on Terror".

No oil.

[England 3 Lions]

May 16, 2009 22:55:06 GMT 10 Ryan N said:

May 16, 2009 16:29:34 GMT 10 England 3 Lions said:

That is true. Perhaps the Government should include Indonesia in its "War on Terror".

No oil.

;D