Organisers not expecting Australia or
New Zealand to take partDutton: ‘At some point next week we will have a clear outcome’The chief executive of the Rugby League World Cup, Jon Dutton, has described the chances of the tournament taking place as planned this autumn as “50-50”, but has strenuously denied accusations from Australia and New Zealand that the safety of their players would be compromised if they travelled to the
UK for the event.
The Kangaroos and Kiwis pulled out of the
World Cup last week, citing player welfare concerns relating to Covid-19 as their primary reason for withdrawal. Talks have taken place for the past seven days to ascertain the possibility of going ahead without the two leading sides in international rugby league, with more to follow over the weekend.