Irish Rugby Write Letter To Rugby World Cup 2023 Voters Damning Recommendation
Latest posts by Will Matthews (see all)
“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”
Ireland’s Rugby World Cup 2023 bid chairman Dick Spring has sent a letter to all the voters on World Rugby’s Council, asking them to look beyond this week’s recommendation that South Africa host the tournament.
The letter outlines Ireland’s disappointment with the outcome of the technical review group. Spring stated that Ireland are shocked at the “narrow, operational and theoretical approach taken by the technical review group.
He let it be known that 96% of the difference in scoring between South African and Ireland came down to stadia and experience of hosting a previous tournament.
Spring reckons by not considering a new nation to host the event, World Rugby are “thwarting the growth of the game and rugby’s flagship event”.
“We remain convinced, as do many neutral commentators in the media and elsewhere, that our venue plan, combined with Ireland’s renowned welcome, is the ideal for Rugby World Cup 2023 and will result in one of the most memorable Rugby World Cup experiences ever.” Spring wrote
Spring’s letter also pointed out that South Africa has been stripped of the 2022 Commonwealth Games which were due to be held in Durban.
“We do not raise these issues lightly,” Spring wrote.
“But all of us who have worked on the Irish bid believe that one of the greatest aspects of rugby is its unique sense of fair play – and that you, as voters, should have these important facts in front of you to ensure this standard.
“We remain totally convinced that Ireland offers you the best possible option for the 2023 Rugby World Cup – one that has several unique aspects that could never be scored in a narrow report.
“Let me leave you with the words of Albert Einstein as you review the report and ponder probably the most important decision you will face for World Rugby this decade:
“‘Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted’.”
The vote is set to take place on November 15th.
