Canberra in a fight to host World Cup games as Rugby Australia launches 2027 bid

Rugby Australia launched its 2027 World Cup bid in Sydney on Thursday morning but the harbour city is no guarantee to host the final with Perth emerging as a shock contender in a three-horse race.

Stadium Australia in Sydney, Perth Stadium and the MCG are the contenders to host the final, with World Rugby rules dictating the host venue must boast a capacity of more than 60,000.

Canberra Stadium would be in the running to host pool games, with officials in talks with state and territory governments about putting their hands up to host matches throughout the 48-game tournament.

The ACT government will need to stave off interest from rival host cities to secure matches, with eight to 10 venues set to be used. It marks a small drop from Australia's 2003 World Cup, which used 11 venues, with Canberra Stadium hosting four matches.

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"Our guiding principles are we want to make it national, we've got to get federal and state government support," Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said.

"If you just look at Western Australia, the Force have been reintroduced back into the Super Rugby competition, they're big contributors, and we're going to get state and federal government support.

"We want to do this to showcase the game but Australia as well. We need to make it national, and we will.

"This is all part of having that light on the hill so the Super Rugby clubs benefit from it, young kids playing in pathways and grassroots through to club and Super Rugby competitions see there's a big event like the Rugby World Cup in Australia they could play in potentially.

"We've got a lot of the infrastructure already built, that's terrific. If you look at Sydney, Brisbane, Victoria, Perth, we've got fantastic infrastructure and stadiums already built. We'll only improve on it."

The 2027 World Cup is seen as Australia's to lose given it is the only established rugby nation to put forth a bid with submissions of interest due by the end of the month.

A late rival bid is not out of the question given murmurings about the United States and Russia putting forth proposals to land one of the world's biggest sporting events.

"We're not being complacent. Most people in World Rugby think we're ahead of the curve, so we're really committed, not complacent, putting the right resources in place," McLennan said.

"The federal government has given us $8.8 million to lodge the bid. Everyone knows we're pretty serious so I think we stand a good chance if we play our cards right."

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