Japan is given World Cup 'ultimatum'

Japan was ordered by World Rugby to submit a new road map for the 2019 showpiece.

Japan's preparations were dealt a blow last month when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered plans for Tokyo's National Stadium to be re-drawn, robbing the tournament of its centrepiece venue.

The National Stadium, which is being rebuilt for the 2020 Olympic Games, was to host the final and other key games in the World Cup, but will no longer be finished in time.

World Rugby issued a media release last week demanding that Japan submit a new plan with regards to its venues, and an updated budget by September, to provide assurances that the tournament would go ahead.

"I've read the World Rugby press release regarding the assurances they are seeking from Japan and it concerns me that this ultimatum may well be a precursor to World Rugby stripping Japan of the hosting rights," O'Neill said in comments published by an Australian newspaper on Monday.

"And indeed there has been some sentiment out of the UK in particular, that the decision to award Japan the hosting rights in the first place was one that some would like to reverse."

Organisers have earmarked the Tokyo Stadium as a replacement, but the 50 000-capacity venue may not be World Rugby's ideal choice.

O'Neill, who stepped down as ARU chief in 2013 after a second stint in charge, backed Japan's bid after pulling Australia out of the bidding process in 2009.

"The fact is the ARU, New Zealand and other forward-thinking nations worked very hard to ensure Japan was awarded the rights to host the 2019 World Cup, being the first non-traditional country to do so," O'Neill added.

"And the strategic imperative is blindingly obvious that if World Rugby wants to live up to its objective of being a truly world game, then every effort and every ounce of energy must be directed into ensuring Japan does host the World Cup in 2019.

"If you look at the composition of the organising committee that has been assembled, it is a very large collection of captains of industry in Japan, chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of incredibly large and important companies across a range of industries.

"I have no doubt that these gentlemen will rise to the challenge as will the Japanese government."

Source: Reuters