Rugby Australia has set an ambitious target of winning the Bledisloe Cup every second year and finishing in the top four at the 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cups.
The bold declaration came on Wednesday morning as the game's national governing body released a five-year strategy paper called “Green to Gold”.
The lofty ambitions include beating the British and Irish Lions and raising the team to a 70 per cent success rate by 2029.
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The strategy sets out the goals and standards Rugby Australia wants to achieve and was established after a set of meetings with key stakeholders in the game.
Game leaders aim to increase participation by 30 per cent in men's rugby and 70 per cent in women's rugby.
Rugby Australia CEO and former Wallabies captain Phil Waugh. Brendan Thorne via Getty Images
“These three pillars are interdependent and critical to a thriving rugby ecosystem,” Rugby Australia chief Phil Waugh said.
“And all developed in collaboration with member associations, Super Rugby clubs and RUPA.
“Australian rugby is united, aligned and poised for success on and off the field. The benefits of this all-of-game strategy will be realized for many years to come.”
Daniel Herbert, Chair of Rugby Australia: “Our ultimate goal is to be the No. 1 rugby-playing nation in the world by nurturing talent, promoting inclusion and achieving success on and off the field,” said Rugby Australia Chair Daniel Herbert.
“With a runway of major events once in a while, an aligned and empowered Australian rugby ecosystem, there's never been a better time to get involved in this great game.”
