Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has backed a postponement of the Rugby League World Cup until next year.

The Riverside Stadium, home to Middlesbrough FC, had been due to host a match-up between Tonga, the world’s number four ranked rugby league team, and the Cook Islands in November.

But tournament organisers recently announced it had been postponed until 2022 after the withdrawal of champions Australia, along with New Zealand, with chief executive Jon Dutton stating it had become unfeasible to carry on.

The two countries pulled out after citing playing welfare and safety concerns relating to covid-19.

Players and staff based in Australia also faced having to quarantine for 14 days on their return as the country’s borders are currently closed because of the pandemic.

The World Cup, which features men’s, women’s and wheelchair games, was set to start in Newcastle on October 23 with a game between England and Samoa at St James’ Park.

The Cook Islands team, which takes its name from Middlesbrough-born explorer Captain James Cook, was due to be based at Darlington’s Rockliffe Hall during the seven-week long tournament and train at the town’s Mowden Park stadium.

Mr Houchen said: “It is clearly disappointing news, but something I understand they needed to do. 

“The effects of the pandemic are still being felt across the world and given that two of the tournament’s best teams had withdrawn it makes sense to delay until the competition can be held in its entirety with all the original nations taking part.”

Mr Houchen’s Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) previously joined forces with Middlesbrough Council, Darlington Council, Middlesbrough FC and Darlington Mowden Park RFC as part of a bid to bring the Rugby League World Cup to the Tees Valley.

TVCA said it had set aside £75,000 to promote the tournament in the region with more than £70,000 still remaining from the budget available to spend next year.

Mr Houchen added: “We look forward to working with the organisers to make next year’s event a huge success.

“With the wealth of great sporting and cultural events taking place this year across our region, there’s still plenty for the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool to enjoy. 

“Our football season kicks-off this weekend and festivals such as Hartlepool Waterfront, the Orange Pip and the Festival of Thrift are all ready to bounce back.”

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