Australia and NZ withdraw from Rugby League World Cup citing player welfare and safety concerns

The Kangaroos and Kiwis have officially pulled out of the Rugby League World Cup citing player welfare and safety concerns.

In a joint statement, they say they have requested the IRL to postpone the tournament until 2022 to "minimise the risk of players contracting COVID-19 and ensure the best outcome for player wellbeing".

The ARL and NZRL decided after considering the risk of COVID-19 infection in the United Kingdom, the worsening environment in Australia and the time a majority of NRL players would have to spend away from home under strict biosecurity conditions before the World Cup.

According to the statement, they "have resolved, that in the present environment the risks to athletes and officials travelling to the UK to participate in the tournament this year are too great, and it is unable to endorse Australia and New Zealand participating in the RLWC in 2021".

The Rugby League World Cup is scheduled to be played from October.

[Source: Nrl.com]