RWC chief foresees tourney's success in Japan

Rich Freeman / Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter

The Webb Ellis Cup was in Tokyo on Saturday as Japan became the 19th team to qualify for next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Twenty-three years to the day after John Kirwan scored a sensational individual try in the first-ever World Cup game--between New Zealand and Italy at Auckland's Eden Park--the trophy was accompanied by Kit McConnoll, the head of Rugby World Cup Ltd.

"It is important to have the World Cup in Japan today on the day an Asian team qualifies directly for Rugby World Cup 2011," McConnoll said.

"The Webb Ellis Cup is the iconic symbol of world rugby. It is the trophy players strive to win and fans recognize as the global symbol of our game."

The next 10 years, McConnoll explained, will be a very exciting time for rugby with World Cups set to be held in New Zealand, England and Japan, the Sevens World Cup in Russia in 2013 and the readmission of the sport to the Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

And despite less-than-impressive gates at Top League and national team games, the New Zealander is confident the tournament in Japan in 2019 will be a success.

"We have a dedicated staff working towards delivering the World Cup to Japan and have a strong working relationship with the Japan Rugby Football Union," he said. "We have had some positive meetings about planning and promoting the game and installing a ticketing process so we have the same success as in Australia and France."

The recent decision by the International Rugby Board to reinstall traditional tours and bring Tier 1 nations to countries like Japan will, McConnoll believes, also ensure Japan will be a competitive host.

"There are more Tier 1 countries coming to Japan than any other country," the 37-year-old said.

While the JRFU has yet to make an official announcement, McConnoll said that Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy would be coming here in 2013, '16, '17 and '18, respectively--though the actual format of the tours had yet to be finalized.

"The games will provide strong competition for the national team and help promote the game to the public and are very important in terms of preparation for the Rugby World Cup," he said.

--Rich Freeman

(May. 23, 2010)