Michael Cheika Backs Argentina Hosting a Rugby World Cup

Michael Cheika backs Argentina hosting a Rugby World Cup. The Australian who is a former Head Coach of both the Wallabies and Los Pumas warmed to the possibility and argued that Argentina hosting a RWC would be a significant impulse for all of rugby.

Cheika, who has also coached professional teams Petrarca (Italy), Leinster (Ireland), Waratahs (Australia), Stade Français (France) and Green Rockets Tokatsu (Japan), argued that Argentina hosting would put rugby on the map.

His argument included the possibility of matches being played in neighboring countries with Uruguay and Chile singled out. He believes that Super Rugby Americas is contributing to lifting the level and is bringing in television coverage and supporters.

Argentina is unique in Rugby World Cups. It is the only Semi Finalist without experience in hosting Rugby World Cup matches. Previous bids have been attempted but cancelled. The bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023 officially ended due to Argentina concluding that World Rugby would not turn down France’s bid.

Argentina has hosted big events before. They include the 1978 FIFA World Cup and nine editions of the Copa America, the most recent being in 2011. Six venues hosted matches in the 2011 Copa America. All have hosted Los Pumas‘ test matches with strong attendances.

Rather than having a regular home, Los Pumas have played across Argentina for the past two decades. Since 2004 Buenos Aires has gone from hosting virtually all home tests to one per year. The UAR has successfully worked with regional governments who bid to host Los Pumas’ home matches.

Buenos Aires would be the center-piece of a Rugby World Cup, including hosting a Final. A second Buenos Aires venue is probable as are both Avellaneda and the provincial capital of La Plata. Options exist further south and well down into Patagonia. However, the fourteen venues listed below are more modern and prepared.

The following sample of venues begin in the national capital. Córdoba is in the center of the country. Mendoza and San Juan in the west. Rosario, Santa Fé and Resistencia in the northeast and Santiago del Estero, Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy in the northwest. Los Pumas have played home test matches at every stadium with the exception of the San Isidro de Lules; however, Los Pumas played against France in Tucumán in 2016.

SOUTH AMERICA RWC HOSTING MODEL

The number of venues listed above is more than will be used in Australia 2027. Seven Australian cities will host matches, some with more than one venue. It will be the first tournament to feature 24 teams. Nine venues were used for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France under a format of 20 teams in four pools.

If the tournament were to be South American with Uruguay and Chile involved as sub-hosts then Montevideo and Santiago would be the likely host cities. Both are easily the largest cities in their respective countries and are the regular locations for home test matches.

The Estadio Nacional in Santiago hosted Chile vs Scotland in 2024. It hosted the 2015 Copa America Final. The Ester Roa Rebolledo in Concepción hosted the Bronze Final. If Chile were to host matches in multiple cities then Concepción is positioned ahead of Valparaiso due to stadiums and airport access.

Uruguay last hosted the Copa America in 1995. Montevideo was one of four cities. The Uruguayan capital is the regular home of Los Teros in rugby. An exception saw Uruguay facing Argentina in Punta del Este in 2024. Both Montevideo and Punta del Este have many flight to Buenos Aires as well as direct ferry services.

The Estadio Charrúa is the Uruguay’s national rugby stadium. Due to the venue having a capacity of 14,000  other Montevideo stadiums would need to be considered. As such, one of the Estadio Centenario (60,235), Estadio Campeón del Siglo (40,165) and Estadio Gran Parque Central (37,000) would potentially be Montevideo’s host venue.