Rugby Australia has edged a step closer to being officially confirmed as hosts of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, after the Federal Government committed itself to ongoing financial support of the bid in Tuesday's Budget.
Australia was confirmed as World Rugby's preferred choice as tournament hosts late last year, all but guaranteeing the game's showpiece event would return Down Under for the first time since 2003.
That was until bid chairman Phil Kearns expressed concerns that an injection of funding from the Federal Government might not be forthcoming, creating speculation England's Rugby Football Union might swoop in and secure the tournament from under Australia's nose.
But those fears were allayed on Tuesday night as Federal Government treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the 2022 Budget, which included confirmation of support for RA's bid, so too the pursuit of the 2029 Women's World Cup.
"The Australian Government's support is a huge boost for our bid as we continue to work with World Rugby on developing the tournament model for Rugby World Cup 2027 and contemplate the potential opportunity to bid for Rugby World Cup 2029," RA chairman Hamish McLennan said.
"Throughout this process, dating back to early 2019, the Australian Government has been in our corner, showing an enthusiastic level of support which has allowed us to demonstrate to our colleagues at World Rugby that Australia is a safe pair of hands with a rolled-gold record of hosting major international events.
"The breadth of the support outlined in the budget today, from investment into tournament delivery, operational support and, crucially, legacy programs for Australia and the Pacific region, now enables us to illustrate to the World Rugby Council we are ready to bring the tournament back Down Under."
While the exact figure has not been made public, sources have told ESPN it is what was required to convince World Rugby the tournament would be in safe hands if awarded to Australia.
As well as financial support, the Australian Government will also back legacy initiatives across RA's domestic programs and an investment into Pacific-focused programs, and it will also offer in-kind operational services and support to help with the delivery of the tournament so that it meets the expectations of a global sporting event for both players and supporters.
The support for initiatives throughout the Pacific follows the Australian Government's assistance in facilitating the introduction of both Fijian Drua and the Fijiana Drua into Super Rugby Pacific and Super W respectively.
"Our support for the RWC 2027 and 2029 events represents an important opportunity to strengthen relationships, particularly with our Pacific neighbours," Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said.
"The third largest sports event in the world, the Rugby World Cup also offers the potential to provide substantial benefits including a much-needed boost to the Australian tourism industry, as well as trade, infrastructure and jobs."
World Rugby will officially unveil the hosts of the 2027 World Cup on May 12.
If Australia does prevail, as expected, it sets up a huge three years for the Wallabies with the British & Irish Lions visiting in 2025, while the surging women's game would only further grow if the 2029 event was also staged in Australia.
Australia last hosted the Rugby World Cup in 2003 when Eddie Jones' Wallabies were defeated by England in extra time in a dramatic final at Stadium Australia.