Rugby Australia and World Rugby have confirmed Sir Rod Eddington will be the independent chairman of Rugby World Cup 2027 and 2029.The announcement comes as both parties wrap up talks over the weekend, with Eddington to oversee the delivery of the first World Cups on home soil since 2003.This will see the former deputy chair of News Limited and chief executive of British Airways oversee a board of directors comprising World Rugby, Rugby Australia, and a further skills-based Managing Director.“World Rugby and Rugby Australia have provided Australia with a wonderful once-in-a-generation opportunity to host not one, but two Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029 and I am honoured and excited to be chairing the board of directors to guide their delivery," he said in a statement. “Australia has built a reputation for hosting outstanding sporting and cultural events, and I know that the whole nation will rally with enthusiasm behind these Rugby World Cups. By working together as a board, as the rugby family and as the nation, I believe that we will deliver what will be remembered as two of the great sporting events, Rugby World Cups that Australia will be proud of. Game on!”“As the Chair of our Rugby World Cup Bid Advisory Board, Sir Rod Eddington played a crucial role in the awarding of the 2027 and 2029 events to Australia," RA Chairman Hamish McLennan believes“The Rugby World Cup is the third largest sporting event in the world – Sir Rod understands exactly what we want to accomplish for the game in hosting these events here in Australia. He is highly regarded and respected at home and abroad and was central to our work with World Rugby, Federal and State Governments in securing the two World Cups. We are delighted to have secured his services and to lead the events as Independent Chair of the Board of Directors.”