Irish Sports Minister says Ireland should host the tournament because they have smaller stadiums

Irish Sports Minister Shane Ross has raised serious reservations about South Africa's bid to land the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Ross criticised how the evaluation report scored South Africa in terms of stadia and believes larger stadiums aren't necessarily a positive.
“I’m unhappy with the comparisons made with the South African stadia. Because the South African stadia are very, very large. And they are going to have, obviously for minor matches, they are going to have empty stadia. Whereas we will have full ones,” Ross told the Irish Independent.
“I am very unhappy with the result. The Taoiseach and I are going to make further efforts as are other ministers to persuade people to vote in our favour. We’ve got a week to go and we are very optimistic we are going to make it,” he added.
When asked what is being done about the situation, Ross said the focus is on making phone calls.“Several phone calls have been made to people who are very very key in all this. The IRFU are obviously campaigning at the moment as well to do so. It’s a matter of persuasion. The people who have recommended it have got it wrong. We have all the facilities available and we think they could also be persuaded by this. I’m not giving up under any circumstance,” Ross said.“I haven’t made any calls at all as of now. But I’m been working with the department in getting people to make what calls are necessary."
------------This is a small-minded argument.  No doubt they will raise other concerns behind closed doors....

 Yes, the wee stadiums argument is a little weak. What about the green beer & leprechauns? More likely they are offering the wee pot of gold and the end of the rainbow argument .

I think any of the major rugby countries that have not hosted the rugby world cup yet should be peeved. The infrastructure is certainly an issue- but it does not seem very fair just to give it to a few select countries. 
It might just be that the Irish have 2 proper stadiums, and the others are not up to scratch. The Irish road system might also not be able to sustain the traffic to and from different stadiums via Dublin. 
France held the world cup 10 years ago- so it is pretty ridiculous that they are bidding on this. 
Why not give it to Argentina- especially after their previous world cup efforts. 

A 20,000 seat stadium filled to capacity for a RWC game poses no bigger problem for the roads than a 20,000 seat stadium filled to capacity for a Pro14 game, not so? Actually, one would think that the spectators for the RWC would make more use of public transport than the spectators for a “normal” game.

 The smaller stadiums argument reminds me of the MP who blamed the water crisis and empty dams on the  Apartheid regime for building the dams too big.

I see the Irish are getting heat in the media for their unprofessional conduct. They along with all other teams accepted the criteria before creating a bid response.Now they are taking cheap pot shots by running South Africa down due to the crime rate. 
At first glance, the Irish seem laid back and friendly but less so about politics or other serious things. They like to comment on other countries politics- but flatly refuse to answer anything about their own politics.
They are making themselves look bad and have probably also thrown any chance they had of winning away with the antics.The prime minister is now apparently now also involved.

 Bunch of hotheads. 

Ireland has about eight stadiums that can be used for such an event, some smaller ones granted but the GAA stadiums are well able to handle games which draw smaller crowds. As far as getting about from one county to another the roads in Ireland are excellent and you do not need to fly to get there. I remember when the Sprinboks played a RWC game in Scotland and the stadium was half empty! So a huge stadium for every game is not needed. Both South Africa and France have had the pleasure of hosting the RWC so yes I would like to see Ireland afforded the same consideration.

 Good point about it being Ireland's turn. Great rugby Nation...but I still hope we get it.

Why would you not! I suppose if I lived in South Africa I would feel the same. My point is why should SA be given again the opportunity to host the RWC. Apart from South Africans??which is understandable wanting to host again my point is why should they? I will be going to the RWC in Japan and I think it will be much more expensive getting from one venue to another but having said that they have not hosted before! And that alone makes sense to me. What does not is why SA should yet again be given the opportunity over countries that have not had the chance to do so. No , as yet no one has given a valid reason as to why South Africa or France should host before Ireland. I will add, I went to many games when France hosted and the atmosphere in Paris was nil! The stadium was so far out of the centre you would not know the RWC was going on!! No, if you want great atmosphere and a great time Ireland would be my choice(even though I am Irish) I have been to enough RWC around the world to know that a great time would be had for the fans but then this is not about the fans is it? Your call.

I do not think that SA is really able to host the  for the reason that their is total  debauchery from a political perspective - the economy has been looted and most people are struggling barely to eat.  The low attendance figures of major sport events are due to the overall financial situation 
Poverty and joblessness have resulted in mushrooming of crime and foreign visitors are targeted by gangs.   The policing service has collapsed because of appointment of criminal cronies to protect the criminals running the country and they have no ability to even arrest the real criminals and protect the public.           
The stadia are top class and public transport has been upgraded - but we have a case of political turbulence showing an ugly face and the upcoming 2019 elections could cause major anarchy in the country with the danger of governance collapse. 
In the present environment it is not a real situation on the ground to host a WC.  


    

South Africa will do a great job...as would Ireland. Having played golf in Ireland and Scotland, the Irish are clear winners in terms of hospitality. And I buy into your general principle of turns Mo. But I define it a little differently. It seems to me we should be rotating between NH and SH venues....reflecting the big global tournaments. Japan is an aberration. On that basis 2023 will reflect 12 years after the last SH tournament....so giving it to a SH team makes sense. Truthfully Ireland should have hosted in 2015 and should definitely host in 2027. .. Welcome back Mo and I hope we see a great game today.

Hi Mozart, Looking forward to the game not sure which way it will go but hope to see some good rugby.

If they had to rotate between NH and SH and it was the NH’s turn then I would fully back the Paddies as well. If it was the SH’s turn then why not Argentina, provided they put their names in the hat, of course. Just anthough. Having said that and despite the fact that I would like Ireland to have a shot at hosting it, I think the fact that England hosted the last one right on their doorstep might count against them.