Australia won the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, beating England 6-0 in BrisbaneAustralia and New Zealand have been branded "selfish, parochial and cowardly" over their decision to pull out of the Rugby League World Cup due to coronavirus concerns. "I think the impact, particularly for women's rugby league and wheelchair rugby league will be particularly devastating. 1:26 Rugby Football League chairman Simon Johnson says Australia and New Zealand’s decision to withdraw from the Rugby League World Cup is ‘selfish and parochial’. Rugby Football League chairman Simon Johnson says Australia and New Zealand’s decision to withdraw from the Rugby League World Cup is ‘selfish and parochial’. A joint statement from the two nations announcing the decision read: "The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) today informed the International Rugby League (IRL) and Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) organisers that Australia and New Zealand will not compete in a 2021 World Cup because of player welfare and safety concerns.

Source: Sky sports July 22, 2021 06:53 UTC