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he Federal Government has announced an additional $8.8 million in funding for Australia’s bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, as part of its post-COVID-19 economic recovery plan.

The news comes amid reports Rugby Australia is close to finalising a new domestic broadcast rights deal for international Tests and Super Rugby with the Nine Network and Stan.

Rugby Australia chairman, Hamish McLennan, said the support from the Australian Government is welcomed, after the government gave $1 million in initial funding for the bid last year.

“On behalf of Rugby Australia and the Australian Rugby community, I want to thank Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Australian Government for supporting Australia’s bid to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup,” McLennan said.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our country and we have already made significant headway in laying the foundations for a successful bid.

“We look forward to working closely with the Australian Government over the coming months to present a compelling bid that will deliver significant economic benefit to Australia,” he said.

Rugby World Cup 2027 Bid Advisory Board chairman, Rod Eddington, said it is projecting by hosting the 2027 event, Australia would see over $2 billion delivered in direct and indirect expenditure to the economy, with a total attendance of more than two million and over 200,000 international visitors expected to travel, creating 12,000 jobs.

“I want to echo Hamish’s gratitude to the Australian Government for their commitment to supporting Australia’s World Cup bid,” Eddington said.

“Hosting the Rugby World Cup would be transformational, not only for the game in this country and the Asia Pacific region, but also for Australia’s economy as we emerge and re-establish ourselves in a post-COVID world.

“The hard work is well underway, and the Bid Advisory Board has already made significant headway through this Foundation Planning phase.

“We’re excited to continue our dialogue with World Rugby as well as engaging further with the Australian Government and the respective State Governments,” he said.

Federal Sports Minister, Richard Colbeck, said the event would go a long way to reviving Australia’s economy post-COVID-19.

“It’s been a challenging time for the Australian sporting community, with the rescheduling of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to 2021, and a number of other high-profile sporting events cancelled or postponed,” Colbeck said.

“A successful bid will bolster the community spirit and significantly contribute to the country’s long-term recovery from COVID-19,” he said.

Australia last held the rights to host the event in 2003.

Reports from the Sydney Morning Herald have suggested Rugby Australia is finalising details to approve a $30 million broadcast rights offer from Nine, with rival bidder, Foxtel, considering the deal is done.

The deal will see Nine broadcast live sport on its streaming platform, Stan, for the first time, opening up for other sports to consider the service in future rights negotiations.