Canberra, the home of Australia’s most successful Super Rugby side, the ACT Brumbies, will not host any 2027 Rugby World Cup matches after an unsuccessful bid.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the government tabled a deal that would net tournament organisers $2-3 million per match for four games, but the exact amount of funding offered by the ACT remains unclear.

With rugby fans outraged by the news, Barr has had to defend himself against claims that he’s a “stooge” for the AFL.

“I’ve been to more than 100 Brumbies games over my time. I’ve been following them since they came into the competition in 1995,” Barr said on ABC Radio.

“I was born in northern NSW. I’ve lived in Canberra for 47 years, so this idea that somehow I am a stooge for a southern code is, is an interesting proposition.”

Barr, a passionate Hawthorn Hawks supporter, has also faced criticism over the ACT Government’s 10-year, $28.5 million deal to host GWS Giants matches at Manuka Oval each year, further fueling accusations of favouring AFL over rugby.

Inaugural Brumbies captain and World Rugby chair Brett Robinson said it was a shame there would be no matches in the national capital, attributing part of the blame to the subpar condition of GIO Stadium.

“It’s disappointing that we haven’t got the stadium (in Canberra),” said Robinson.

“I’ve got a few chips on the shoulder, as most Brumbies do and we haven’t quite got the stadium. 

“Playing at home in Canberra is a wonderful place to play the game … It’s just we haven’t got the facilities really for a tournament of this scale, which is a big disappointment.” 

Meanwhile, Sydney’s Olympic Stadium is set to host the final of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, 24 years after the Wallabies’ last-gasp loss to England at the same venue.

World Rugby bosses on Thursday unveiled the seven host cities for the expanded 24-team tournament.

The World Cup will run from October 1 to November 13 and will crucially avoid clashes with the AFL and NRL over stadium availability. 

Among the notable inclusions in the host lists is Melbourne, which will welcome nine games to Victoria, including two round-of-16 matches.

There is potential for those fixtures to take place at both the MCG or Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. 

Melbourne’s success in winning hosting rights comes despite concerns Victoria would not be involved at all as a result of the fallout stemming from the collapse of Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels. 

“It wouldn’t be a World Cup without going to the ‘G’,” said World Rugby chair Brett Robinson. 

“Nine matches in Melbourne is fantastic and they are participating in a significant way in this tournament.” Play

Brisbane has won eight games, including two quarter-finals, while regional areas such as Townsville and Newcastle will take in pool games. 

Perth, which will host the opening match of the tournament, and Adelaide were among the other successful cities.

Sydney dominated Thursday’s announcement with the Harbour city winning five pool matches, two round-of-16 matches, two quarter-finals, two semi-finals, the bronze final and the World Cup final.

The tournament schedule will be finalised after the conclusion of qualifiers later this year. 

RWC 2027 HOST CITIES MATCH ALLOCATION:

• Adelaide – five pool matches
• Brisbane – six pool matches, two round-of-16 matches, two quarter-finals
• Melbourne – seven pool matches, two round-of-16 matches
• Newcastle – four pool matches
• Perth – five pool matches (including the opening match), two round-of-16 matches
• Sydney – five pool matches, two round-of-16 matches, two quarter-finals, two semi-finals, the bronze final and the RWC final.
• Townsville – four pool matches

With AAP