Rugby, Australian Football: Japan wants 2011 Rugby World Cup

Japan will bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and so take the tournament outside the sport's traditional strongholds for the first time.

"Until now, the World Cup has been held in countries from the Six Nations or Tri-Nations," said Japan Rugby Football Union secretary Koji Tokumasu.

"We think, and the IRB thinks, that it is time for rugby to go global.

"Japan is ready to host the tournament and we are looking forward to welcoming the world of rugby to Japan."

Tokumasu added that the 2002 soccer World Cup, co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, had been a huge success.

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