Tri-Nations rugby 'provides $174m economic boost'

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By Bill Wilson Business reporter, BBC News

The recently-completed 2010 Tri-Nations has contributed $174.3m (£113m) to the sport and leisure economy across the southern hemisphere, says Mastercard.

Its report also envisages the addition of Argentina to the competition in 2012 will increase the value of the tournament to as much as $213.1m.

And it puts the combined value of the Tri-Nations and Six Nations at $800m.

New Zealand secured a historic Tri-Nations clean sweep with victory over Australia in the final Test in Sydney.

The report for Mastercard, carried out by the Centre for the International Business of Sport (CIBS) at Coventry University, points to "a commercially strong picture for southern hemisphere rugby".

<strong>'Clearly booming'</strong>

It says Sydney could be $28m better-off from having hosted the Australia v New Zealand game, the largest single economic impact from a Tri Nations fixture.

Meanwhile Johannesburg and Christchurch are also set for windfalls of $19.6m and $12m respectively, having hosting two of the matches.

The study also predicts that the arrival of Argentina to the tournament could bolster the long term value of the competition.

Dr Anna Semens, research fellow at CIBS and Mastercard's advisor on the business of rugby, said "rugby is clearly booming and providing a considerable economic boost to the southern hemisphere".

She added: "The Tri Nations will continue to provide a sizeable economic impact into the future."