WA has tackled the rights to host five matches in next year’s Rugby World Cup, including the blockbuster test match between South Africa and England.
All tests will be played at Subiaco Oval.
The matches are expected to generate a $14.2 million economic impact for WA and draw international television coverage worth more than $1.375 million.
When the original allocation of world cup matches was made, WA was pencilled in to host just two tests. This changed when New Zealand lost the right to sub-host the world cup. It was stripped of its co-host status because its rugby union body could not deliver ‘clean’ stadiums (free of advertising hoardings).
International rugby matches have proved extremely popular in WA, with those involving South Africa drawing sell-out crowds.
Last year’s match between Australia’s Wallabies and South Africa’s Springboks as part of the tri-nations series contributed $9.57 million to the WA economy.
Matches confirmed to date are:
p October 11 – South Africa v America 2 (Either Canada or the US, depending on play-offs).
p October 12 – England v Europe 3 (probably Romania but play-off pending).
p October 15 – Oceania 2 (possibly Fiji or Samoa) v America 2.
p October 18 – South Africa v England.
p October 19 – Europe 3 v Oceania 2.
