Millar: Japan ‘Worthy’ Of Staging 2011 Finals

International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Dr Syd Millar has championed Japan’s chances of hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup, dubbing Yokohama Stadium a ‘very, very excellent’ venue.

The Japanese are going head-to-head with heavyweights New Zealand and South Africa to stage the event – and also become the first Asian nation to host the showpiece tournament.

The centre-piece Yokohama Stadium – which hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, and was also the venue for the Republic of Ireland’s 3-0 Group E win over Saudi Arabia – holds a capacity of 70,000 and is located in Japan’s second largest city.

Millar – while touring Japan ahead of November’s decision on the 2011 host nation – commented: “I think it’s (Yokohama) a very, very excellent stadium and it would be certainly worthy of the World Cup final.

“We are building a new stadium in Dublin. If we can shift this stadium to Dublin, I’ll be happy,” he added.

“But Japan’s stadia are both good enough and big enough certainly.”

With New Zealand – the venue of the inaugural RWC in 1987 – yet to receive backing from their own government, it looks increasingly like a two-horse race for the 2011 honours.