New Zealand foreign minister Murray McCully has given his support to Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 World Cup.
Ireland are bidding against South Africa, who last hosted the tournament in 1995, and France, who were hosts in 2007. World Rugby will announce the host country for 2023 in November.
The Irish Times reports that McCully, speaking after a meeting with Ireland's minister for foreign affairs Charlie Flanagan in Dublin, said Ireland would be 'a terrific place' to host the tournament.
Flanagan said he had told McCully of the 'unique oportunity' the tournament offered Ireland.
'The Irish bid team regularly refers to New Zealand’s hosting of the World Cup in 2011 as the inspiration for the Irish bid. That tournament was a remarkable success and demonstrated that a country of similar size to Ireland could successfully host this event,' he added.
