Sydney will take centre stage at Rugby World Cup 2027 while a embarrassing situation where Melbourne could have been completely overlooked for even a single match was only avoided by late night talks 48 hours out from the deadline.

Twenty-four years after Jonny Wilkinson kicked that drop goal to win the Rugby World Cup at Homebush, another decider will be played at the Olympic venue.

Sydney will host the 2027 Rugby World Cup final, 24 years after England upset the Wallabies at the harbour city's Stadium Australia in the 2003 decider, World Rugby confirmed on Thursday.

Sydney is the big winner after being confirmed as the host city for the 2027 RWC final, with Melbourne avoiding the embarrassment of missing out altogether.