Speaking at the International Rugby Summit in London today, John O'Neill, managing director and CEO of the Australian Rugby Union, said the tournament had been changed from a low risk event and that should the US team qualify it will once again be reviewed.
O'Neill was explaining the commercial strategy ahead of the competition, 'the largest sports event in the world next year' before gathered executives at Twickenham.
He cited the recent British Lions tour as the potential commercial benefit of the event.
According to O'Neill, the Lions' visit to Australian netted between 'A$300-400m' in economic benefits to the region.
O'Neill added the ARU will bear the total cost of staging the event estimated to be A$120m with a guaranteed income from ticket revenue of A$20m to go the sport's governing body, the IRB.
The IRB owns the rights of the event through Rugby World Cup Ltd.
