Australia beat England in Brisbane to win the 2017 Rugby League World CupAustralia and New Zealand have pulled out of the Rugby League World Cup because of "player welfare and safety concerns" related to Covid-19. New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) chief Greg Peters said it was "simply too unsafe" to take part. "Rugby League World Cup organisers have bent over backwards to offer every assurance to the Australians and the Kiwis," Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "We have again requested the IRL and Rugby League World Cup consider postponing the event until 2022 to enable all players to participate." "We've sold tickets, how do we explain to our fans that they will not see the Australia rugby league team playing in Wales in October?"

Source: BBC July 22, 2021 07:26 UTC