 Games will be played at Yokohama if Japan hosts the Rugby World Cup |
The International Rugby Board have completed a two-day visit to Japan to assess the country's ability to host the Rugby World Cup in 2011. IRB general secretary Mike Miller and another official met Japanese rugby union officials, plus some major Japanese companies and broadcasters.
They also visited the Yokohama Stadium which hosted last year's football World Cup final between Brazil and Germany.
The IRB is considering holding the 2011 event outside the major rugby playing countries to promote the worldwide growth of the game.
A final decision on the venue will not be made until 2005.
"I'd say that Japan is well placed, has a good rugby tradition, strong economy and ability to organize a major event as we saw with last year's football World Cup," said Miller.
"But there are other countries that have many positives including Argentina and the USA."
He added that government backing and the likely crowd support for matches would also be taken into account in deciding the host country.
MMIX
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