New Zealand Rugby has confirmed its bid for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, but is yet to reveal just what that bid will look like.
On Wednesday, Rugby Australia confirmed it would bid for hosting rights, with Newcastle and the Hunter Valley as the preferred location.
"The feedback we received from the athletes was that they wanted a world-class village, they wanted facilities capable of hosting great crowds and what we've got in Newcastle is those exact opportunities," Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle said.
Castle is aware there's likely to be stiff competition for hosting rights and acknowledges that will come from New Zealand.
"We think there are possibly four or five other nations," she said. "We know our Kiwi friends across the ditch are putting a bid forward, so that's why today's announcement was so important - to make sure we get out there and promote our bid."
One of the stadiums to be used is Newcastle's McDonald Jones stadium, which could seat 40,000 people and break the record for attendance at a women’s rugby game.
"That's our ambition," said Castle. "We want to make sure we put the biggest crowd ever to watch a women’s World Cup final," Castle said.
Castle believes Australia's experience in hosting world class events will see them get the edge over their rivals when it comes to selecting the host nation.
"We have a long history in Australia - and particularly New South Wales - of being the lead and delivering those world class events," she said.
All bids have to be in by 5am (NZ time) on Saturday morning.
World Rugby will deliberate over the next three months, with the host nation to be announced in November.
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