“Best Rugby World Cup” Delivers £80m Surplus for World Rugby

November 2, 2015

By Christian Radnedge

World Rugby ceo Brett Gosper hailed the 2015 Rugby World Cup as the “best” tournament ever, pills but confirmed that the use of technology would be reviewed in the wake of controversial decisions.

Gosper was speaking at Twickenham the day after New Zealand beat Australia 34-17 in the final to win their third world cup title, herbal which World Rugby said was watched by an estimated global television audience of 120 million.

Rugby’s global governing body also confirmed that the tournament generated over £250 million in ticket revenues – more than 2.7 million tickets were sold – delivering an £80m profit to World Rugby and a £15m surplus to the RFU.

A tournament review would take place over the next few weeks, asthma Gosper confirmed, after hailing England 2015 as the best ever since the inaugural edition in 1987.

“It was not just the biggest but the best Rugby World Cup on so many criteria,” Gosper said. “We’re more than satisfied, we’re pretty ecstatic. The whole tournament has shown our sport at its very best in every possible way, not only to existing fans but to new fans.”

On the use of the television match official, which drew criticism for its delay and also for when it could and could not be used, Gosper admitted it would be looked at.

He said: “First of all, I think the TMO and refereeing has been outstanding over the course of this tournament. We’re at a current TMO protocol which will evolve as does every aspect of technology.

“So, as with every other part of the tournament, we will look at this aspect and see if any adjustments need to be made.”

RWC_Japan2019

Spotlight on Japan

Also in attendance at Twickenham was World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset, who had the honour of joining Prince Harry in handing the Webb Ellis Cup to winning All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

Lapasset was quick to try and channel the euphoria from England 2015 into excitement for the tournament’s debut in Asia at Japan 2019.

The Frenchman confirmed that he would be meeting with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe next week to sign off on government guarantees securing the funding for certain organisational aspects of the event.

“We’ve signed an agreement,” Lapasset said. “It is completely the format of the guarantee that we need.

“I will be in Japan on the 8th to see Mr Abe to receive the full support of the government on that and after that we will have a press conference so we can achieve the process by the end of next week.”

Deodoro progress

Lapasset has yet to confirm whether he will stand for a third term as World Rugby chairman next year, although he did insist that he was focused on delivering a successful rugby 7’s tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Confirming recent discussions about the progress of construction of the Deodoro Stadium where rugby will be played in the first South American Games, Lapasset said: “I met with the chairman of the Brazilian Rugby Union as he was here and we talked about the contact we’ve had with the Rio 2016 organisers and we are hopeful this [venue completion] will be achieved very soon.

“We have good contact with them, the progress is good, we have good support from the government and the local authority and I talked personally with the mayor of Rio and I am very positive about the certainty of the work in Deodoro.”

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