Australia and New Zealand labelled ‘selfish’ after pulling out of World Cup

• Tournament organisers facing prospect of delaying tournament
• This is a selfish and cowardly decision' says RFL chairman

The chairman of the Rugby Football League has labelled Australia and New Zealand's governing bodies selfish, parochial and cowardly" following their decision to withdraw their national sides from this year's World Cup, a move that has left competition organisers reeling and trying to decide whether the event can and will proceed without them.

World Cup organisers were given just four minutes notice of the statement from the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) on Thursday confirming they would not be participating this year. Both governing bodies cite player welfare and safety concerns relating to Covid-19 as their reason for pulling out.

Related: Australia's NRL clubs want Rugby League World Cup postponed until 2022