Jonah Lomu, the legendary New Zealand All Blacks winger and all-time leading Rugby World Cup try scorer, believes the Unite Arab Emirate’s credentials in staging world-class sporting events mean it cannot be ruled out of hosting a future edition of the tournament

Lomu, due to arrive in the emirate next week as a guest of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) for the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, insisted the UAE already ticks certain boxes the International Rugby Board (IRB) requires in potential World Cup hosts.

“I can definitely see the UAE hosting a future Rugby World Cup,” said Lomu, who acted as an official ambassador for the New Zealand government in its recent staging of the 2011 tournament. “There is the financial backing and there will be the stadiums, so I do not think it would be too hard. If you can host Formula One, it would not be too difficult to put on a World Cup.”

With this year marking the UAE’s first competitive season as an independent rugby-playing nation – the UAE was formerly part of a region-wide Arabian Gulf set-up – Lomu maintained that the fledgling national side must look to the future and improve its international performances if securing the World Cup becomes a serious consideration.

“Growing the sport from the grass-roots level is key,” added Lomu. “The younger players can start the better it is for them because in rugby today you need quality back-ups for when the first tier of players are out, or you will struggle. On the other hand, the existing players need more experience and they need top training to get up to speed with playing against the top teams. It’s about finding a balance.”