No panic over 2025 rugby league world cup

RLIF chairman John Grant says there is no panic over financial difficulties surrounding the promoter of the 2025 Rugby League World Cup in the United States.

John Grant

RLIF boss John Grant says there's no panic about staging the 2025 World Cup in the United States. (AAP)

Organisers insist there is no panic amid fears the 2025 Rugby League World Cup may not go ahead in the US due to financial difficulties surrounding the promoter.

The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) provisionally awarded the event to North America in 2016, paving the way for the tournament to be taken out of the game's traditional heartland.

Although seven years away, there is concern about whether the event's promoter, Moore Sports International (MSI), remains in a position to bankroll the event.

The Sydney-based company made history by taking an England-New Zealand Test to Denver in June when a crowd of 19,320 resulted in an estimated seven-figure loss and it appears both the RFL and NZRL are yet to be paid in full.

Jason Moore, of MSI, hasn't responded to inquiries but RLIF chairman John Grant says the international body is content to play the waiting game.

"MSI has been awarded the 2025 World Cup subject to appropriate guarantees and finalisation of a staging agreement," Grant said.

"When we have greater clarity on MSI's position we will know whether we have to deal with anything or not."

A spokesman for the RLIF said there are no formal discussions planned with Moore but conceded there are contingency plans, which could include seeking an alternative venue.

The Challenge Cup success of Catalans Dragons, allied to Toulouse's ongoing bid for promotion to Super League, has raised the prospect of the tournament going to France.

"There are always options, particularly when we're talking about an event seven years out and also particularly when there is every indication RLWC2021 (in England) will be very successful," Grant added.

The RFL and NZRL have a three-year agreement with MSI to play Tests in the US but a report into the inaugural Colorado fixture found it was "inappropriately scheduled" and suffered from a number of organisational oversights, meaning it will likely remain a one-off match.

A proposed October Test match in New York between Australia and Tonga has been scrapped but the NRL are pressing ahead with plans to kick off their 2019 season in the States.


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Source: AAP



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