The Rugby League World Cup has been postponed until 2022 after tournament organisers bowed to pressure from NRL clubs along with Australian and New Zealand.
Organisers confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the end-of-season tournament would not go ahead in 2021, as had originally been planned.
Officials had long been adamant it was this year or never for the tournament to go ahead in England, owing to a number of challenges for 2022.
However last month’s withdrawal of the Kangaroos and Kiwis, along with NRL clubs indicating they wouldn’t release players to travel during COVID-19 eventfully forced the change.
It came as RLWC CEO Jon Dutton again claimed players’ wishes to compete in the tournament had not been listened to.
“We have always prioritised player voice and player choice,” Dutton said.
“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 per cent 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.”
The postponement means the tournament will now clash with the FIFA World Cup, creating an uphill battle for publicity in the host nation.
AAP
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