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read moreThe organisers of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC), which was set to be played in England, have advised that the event has been postponed until next year.
The news follows the withdrawal of Australia and New Zealand last month with the Australian Rugby League Commission and New Zealand Rugby League citing player welfare and safety concerns.
While the organisers had planned to go ahead with the tournament without Australia and New Zealand, the postponement decision was made after all 16 NRL clubs released a joint statement last week calling for the event to be postponed due to the current state of COVID-19.
Advising of its decision, a statement from RLWC noted “Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) and the UK Government have today announced their intention to stage the flagship event in the international rugby league calendar in 2022.
“The extremely difficult decision was taken by the RLWC2021 board, which includes representation from the (UK) Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and the International Rugby League board.
“This follows extensive and urgent consultation conducted by RLWC2021 chief executive officer Jon Dutton and his team, which engaged players, competing nations, the Rugby League Players Association, UK government, hosts, commercial and broadcast partners.”
Tournament Chief Executive, Jon Dutton went on to say “ultimately, time and competing priorities from others forced us to make the most difficult decision in our six-year history.”
The withdrawal decision by the Australian Rugby League Commission and New Zealand Rugby League at the end of last month was a surprise for the organisers being done without prior notice and was widely supposed to be over fears that the NRL competition could be impacted.
Commenting on the postponement, UK Sports Minister, Nigel Huddleston added “despite working tirelessly to explore solutions that would allow us to go ahead as planned, circumstances beyond our control have meant that postponing the Rugby League World Cup until next year is the strongest option for staging a successful tournament.”
The tournament was due to start in Newcastle on 23rd October, with Dutton insisting the vast majority of players still wanted to compete.
Dutton noted “we have always prioritised player voice and player choice.
“We have established a player working group, met with senior players, and in the last few days commissioned a player survey to domestic players in Australia and New Zealand that showed more than 85% wanted to compete at RLWC2021 this year.
“However, following the disappointing decision of the ARLC and NZRL to withdraw and the subsequent impact on player availability for other competing nations, it is apparent that delivering the tournament this year would not be feasible.”
1st August 2021 - NRL sidesteps Greater Brisbane lockdown with five games in two days at Suncorp Stadium
31st July 2021 - AFL and NRL fixtures cancelled as snap lockdown introduced in South East Queensland
29th July 2021 - Ongoing Coronavirus challenges sees NRL delay plans for 17th team
12th July 2021 - NSW NRL clubs and Canberra Raiders to relocate to Queensland to counter NSW COVID-19 restrictions
22nd July 2021 - Australia and New Zealand withdraw from 2021 Rugby League World Cup over COVID concerns
16th February 2021 - Canberra’s Bruce Stadium precinct new home for local and rural rugby league talent
24th September 2020 - Queensland Government commits $25 million for 10,000-seat stadium at Rockhampton’s home of rugby league
9th August 2020 - Three men hospitalised after ‘brutal’ stabbing at rugby league match in Western Sydney
28th February 2020 - Rugby League partnership helps disadvantaged Queensland youth
20th February 2020 - Mental health initiative accepted as an official Rugby League World Cup 2021 program
18th November 2017 - Darwin sell-out for Rugby League World Cup quarter final clash
5th November 2017 - Rugby League World Cup enjoys second sell out in Port Moresby
19th October 2017 - Rugby League World Cup fan experience plans to be shared at Stadium and Arena ANZ Congress
16th August 2017 - Rugby League World Cup to offer ‘family friendly’ ticket prices for PNG
9th June 2017 - Rugby League World Cup legacy sees development of two new Christchurch venues
13th September 2016 - Sydney to host historic Women’s Rugby League World Cup
11th August 2016 - NRL names Andrew Hill as Rugby League World Cup Chief Executive
2nd August 2016 - Plan for USA to host 2021 Rugby League World Cup
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