The Rugby Football League Insist They Need Financial Backing From the Government to Make Their 2013 World Cup Bid More Competitive

The Rugby Football League executive chairman, Richard Lewis, has appealed to the sport's All-Party Parliamentary Group for support in its battle with Australia to stage the next World Cup in 2013. The RFL has already submitted a draft bid to the Rugby League International Federation to host the event but fears it may lose out unless the government is prepared to match the financial support, including tax exemptions, that allowed Australia to make record profits from last year's tournament.

"There has already been a very good expression of support, but now we need a firm commitment," Lewis told the MPs in the House of Lords last night. "In common with other sports and governing bodies we compete with nations who already have such exemptions and support. Australia had it, and we need to be similar."

The Olympics is the only sports event that currently receives such tax exemptions in this country. Lewis also stressed the need to secure central and regional government funding, such as that provided by the state governments of Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales last year, to strengthen their bid for 2013.

The RFL will point to the economic benefits that Australia enjoyed from hosting last year's tournament, which attracted an estimated 5,000 supporters from England, and also to a report they commissioned from Deloitte underlining the money and employment that domestic rugby league already generates in the north-west as reasons for the government to invest in the event.

"We would expect to get the reports about the economic impact of the 2008 tournament for Australia very soon and they would be part of any bid we make," Lewis said. "We have to resubmit our bid in the first half of this year and to present a strong case we do need the support of the government in these two important issues."

St Helens, meanwhile, have reappointed Keiron Cunningham as their captain for what is expected to be his final season this year, with Sean Long and Paul Wellens named as the veteran hooker's assistants. Hull have also appointed two deputies, Peter Cusack and Chris Thorman, to share the burden of leadership with Lee Radford, who will continue in his role as the club's captain.