World Rugby has released a statement on 3rd March 2021, that it is recommending the postponement of Rugby World Cup 2021, scheduled to be hosted in New Zealand between 18 September-16 October 2021, until 2022.
The final decision will be made by the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee on 8 and 9 March respectively.
“My heart goes out to the players who have been preparing for RWC2021, but this is a recommendation that puts players first. We want to provide them with the best preparation conditions and the safest environment to perform to their best” said World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, on Twitter.
Rugby World Cup 2021 postponed to 2022?
The statement from World Rugby said: “The recommendation is based on the evolution of the uncertain and challenging global COVID-19 landscape. It has become clear in recent discussions with key partners including New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Government and participating unions, that, given the scale of the event and the COVID-19-related uncertainties, it is just not possible to deliver the environment for all teams to be the best that they can be on the sport’s greatest stage. ”
The challenges to run the Women’s RWC 2021 this year include:
- Uncertainty and the ability for teams to prepare adequately for a Rugby World Cup tournament both before and on arrival in New Zealand.
- Challenging global travel restrictions.
An update will be issued following the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee meetings in March 2021.
What Asian teams will play at RWC 2021?
Three teams from Asia are still in with a chance of qualifying for RWC 2021 from Asia.
Hong Kong, Japan and Kazakhstan are due to play the 2021 Asian Rugby Championship to determine the qualifier but this has already been postponed in 2021 from March to an as of yet undetermined date. We are not sure yet if this will change if the RWC 2021 is postponed to 2022.
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