New Zealand makes bid to co-host 2025 Rugby League World Cup with Australia after France pulls out

• NZRL ‘exploring possibility’ of southern hemisphere tournament
• NRL says too soon to say but it is ‘ready for anything’

New Zealand has offered to come to the International Rugby League’s rescue as it weighs up the possibility of stepping in to co-host the 2025 World Cup, with Australia saying it is “ready for any situation” over the next few years.

Plans for the quadrennial tournament were thrown into turmoil on Tuesday when France pulled out of hosting duties amid concerns in the country over the financial viability of the event.