Rugby Australia are hoping to stage a mini World Cup in 2021 in an effort to improve the financial state of rugby unions.
The RA chairman, Hamish McLennan, has said that he would like the tournament to be an expanded version of the Rugby Championship.
McLennan told the Financial Times that “we are still expecting the Rugby Championship to go ahead this year but perhaps we can add to it and create a mini World Cup.”
“We have the French in July but if anyone else wants to come out, great. We have a significant British and Irish population here and South Africans. We are open to creating a new tournament and keeping the international calendar going.”
Australia is one of a select few countries who have not been plagued by a severe outbreak of Covid-19 across their country. The Southern Hemisphere country have been able to stage sporting events with fans throughout the last six months or so.
There were fans present for their Rugby Championship home fixtures last year and spectators have been permitted to enter each venue for their ongoing cricket series with India. Tennis’ first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, will also go ahead in Melbourne on February 8th for two weeks.
Australia believes a mini World Cup is necessary to respond to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on rugby unions throughout the world.
