Australia and New Zealand are set to be invited to take their places in the World Cup at the end of the 2022 season after tournament organisers agreed to postpone it for 12 months.
The World Cup board met on Wednesday night and reluctantly decided postponement was the best option after the ARLC and NZRL withdrew the Kangaroos, Jillaroos, Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns due to concerns over the safety of players travelling to England this year.
NRL clubs backed the decision of the ARLC and called for the tournament to be postponed to ensure the top players were on display at the World Cup, which was set to be the most ambitious in the code’s history.
The UK Government will continue to back the tournament in 2022 but new dates will need to be found and organisers are likely to want to avoid a clash with the FIFA World Cup in Qatar from November 21 to December 18 next year.
Venues will also need to be rebooked and broadcasting arrangements for the 61 matches across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments may need to be renegotiated.
However, the decision gives World Cup organisers time to alleviate the concerns about NRL players being exposed to COVID-19 in England and quarantine arrangements for their return to Australia and New Zealand.
RLWC2021 CEO Jon Dutton said the “extremely difficult decision” followed extensive and urgent consultation with players, competing nations, the RLP, UK Government, hosts, commercial and broadcast partners.
Dutton said a key factor was ensuring that fans were able to enjoy the best possible tournament, which was not possible under the circumstances in 2021.
“Today is a challenging moment for everyone involved in rugby league, but most importantly the players and fans of the competing nations,” Dutton said
“Ultimately, time and competing priorities from others forced us to make the most difficult decision in our six-year history.
“However, we and the sport of rugby league are resilient, and next year we will deliver our vision of the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup ever.”
Tournament organisers will now seek to confirm the commitment of Australia and New Zealand to the 2022 tournament.
“This process has shown that the RLWC board are responsible leaders who have put the solidarity and unity of the sport first,” RLWC2021 chairman Chris Brindley said.
“The board will now seek the commitment and alignment of all key partners immediately to deliver a clear timetable for the tournament next year.
“Now is the time for everyone who loves our game to come together, to show that rugby league deserves its place on the international stage, and that the RLWC is a tournament we can all be proud of.”
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IRL chairman Troy Grant thanked Dutton, Brindley and the World Cup organising committee for their work to try and deliver the tournament, which was scheduled to kick off on October 23 with England hosting Samoa at St James Park.
“I know that their focus is now on 2022,” Grant said.
“I also place on record our thanks to the UK Government, our sponsors and partners for their support throughout this whole process. They have been outstanding and understanding friends and we look forward to continuing the journey with them.
“We must now move forward quickly from this point to build confidence in our sport internationally and to seize the opportunity which still presents itself; to deliver the best Rugby League World Cup ever.
“I look forward to 2022 and the future with optimism and a renewed focus on the importance of international Rugby League for all our members large and small.
“We have seen the success that the Olympic Games and the Euro 2020 championship experienced after their postponements, and we are all determined to deliver the best Rugby League World Cup ever in 2022.”
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, who had charge of England at the 2017 World Cup, supported the postponement after previously suggesting the tournament could go ahead without Australia and New Zealand.
“If it is next year and they all buy into it I am happy for that,” Bennett said.
“I think we have seen how great the Olympics have been and it was put back nine months so we all know we can do that if that is what we are going to do.
“The important thing is that they play the World Cup. Whether they actually play in 2021 or 2022, I am flexible on that personally, but I would like to see the World Cup played.
“There was great commitment there to think what they have done in Japan, with the way they have presented the Olympic Games to everybody and the athletes’ commitment to it all as well. It has been wonderful.”
