Rugby League World Cup for 2008
Monday, 26 January 2004Plans were today unveiled for a Rugby League World Cup to be held in Australia in the autumn of 2008, as part of the celebrations to mark the centenary of the game in the southern hemisphere.
It will be the first Rugby League World Cup since Britain staged the 2000 event and follows Australia's success in hosting the recent Rugby Union World Cup.
"Given the progress that is being made, we are extremely optimistic about the 2008 World Cup," said Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) chairman Colin Love.
He added: "Anyone at the Cougar World Sevens who saw the skills of PNG, Tonga, France, Russia and Fiji in particular will realise that there is plenty of talent outside of Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. The World Cup will be about supporting that talent and giving those countries something to aim for."
The RLIF also confirmed this year's Tri-Nations Series involving Australia, New Zealand and hosts Great Britain & Ireland, although no dates or venues have been announced.
Filed by Shane Murray
