Japan coach Kirwan fears 2018 football bid pinch

Japan coach John Kirwan fears a successful Japanese bid for the 2018 soccer World Cup could have a negative economic impact on rugby's premier competition in 2019, unless the two sports work closely together.

The former New Zealand great told Reuters yesterday that the proximity of the two events could make it harder for 2019 hosts Japan to secure spending on Asia's first rugby World Cup.

"It could be a negative rather than a positive," Kirwan said.

"A one-year difference is a bit tough with how the economy is. (But) if they're going to build five new stadiums then I'd say 'good idea' because then you can spread the infrastructure costs across two sports - which is what England is doing."

London will host the 2012 Olympics while England stages the 2015 rugby World Cup and is bidding for the 2018 and 2022 soccer World Cups along with Japan and several other countries.

"It's been a real positive for England because they had to spend so much money on their infrastructure," added Kirwan, who played a key role in Japan's successful 2019 bid.

"They have the Olympics, the rugby World Cup and now they're trying for the soccer World Cup - they actually pay for their infrastructure."