Melbourne’s power play to host World Cup final

Australia is packed with iconic venues that could all conceivably host the 2027 Rugby World Cup final – but picking one could prove difficult.

There are compelling arguments for all the major players in the capital cities, perhaps none more so than Melbourne.

There is a significant push from the Victorian Government to have the MCG host the final.

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It boasts the biggest capacity of any stadium in Australia with space for roughly 100,000 fans, although its circular layout and dimensions make it far from ideal for rugby.

A World Cup final has never been played on a purpose-built cricket ground, but France and Japan have both hosted finals at venues used for track and field.

The MCG’s biggest asset is capacity, which would almost certainly host the largest World Cup final crowd in history.

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Financially, that would be a big revenue driver too.

“It’s got to go to Melbourne – you’d probably get 108,000 at the game,” former Wallabies centre Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.

“It doesn’t matter how far away from the game these people are, the amount of noise – and let’s be frank the amount of money they’re going to make, which will come through into the game, which is desperate for it – I think the biggest crowd in the history of a World Cup final would be perfect for the crescendo where the Wallabies win the World Cup in 2027.”

If ground suitability is an issue and setting records isn’t the modus operandi, then it stands to reason Accor Stadium in Sydney would be a safe bet.

Once home to the 2000 Olympics, the venue is now capable of fitting 82,500 spectators.

Accor Stadium hosted the World Cup final in 2003 when the tournament last visited Australia.

Although Allianz Stadium is the newest of all the major venues in New South Wales, it can only host about half as many people.

While former Wallabies captain James Horwill sees the argument for Melbourne hosting the final, he sees Sydney’s largest stadium as the more logical option.

“Look, it’s one of the most iconic venues in Australian sports,” Horwill said of the MCG.

“So I don’t think there’s a reason why (not). It’s not a rugby venue though. I think, personally, (it) should be in a rugby venue for the Rugby World Cup.

“So probably Sydney, the Sydney stadium (Accor), is where I would probably vote at this stage because if you look at the size – they need to be what? 60,000. I think for World Rugby it is a minimum. 

“So what that really is, is Perth, Sydney, or Melbourne. So Perth (Optus Stadium) is again an AFL or a round stadium. So I think it has to be Sydney.”

Optus Stadium faces the same roadblock as the MCG as far as dimensions go, although its hopes to host a final are perhaps held back most by its 65,000 capacity.

Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium is another feasible option, although it has the least capacity of the aforementioned venues.

Former Wallabies loose forward Stephen Hoiles said Brisbane should be considered.

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“It’s easy to say Sydney – being from here – but I’ve actually always thought that Brisbane was the best place for the Wallabies to perform and it always felt like a good rugby town,” Hoiles said.

Queenslander Horwill interjected: “It’s just not big enough.”

“That’s the only issue,” Hoiles agreed.

“It’s 10,000 too small, so I would much prefer to see it in Sydney over Melbourne. 

“I don’t think the MCG is designed to host rugby. It’ll host a Test, but it’s not the place for the World Cup for all of the world to have eyes on rugby. 

“It’s an oval and I don’t think it perfectly suits.”

The Wallabies last played a Test match at the MCG in 2007 against the All Blacks.

Just three Tests have been played at the MCG.

Australia has a rare 2-1 record over New Zealand at the venue.

The first was won in 1997 by the All Blacks with games since in 1998 and 2007 claimed by the Wallabies. 

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