Phil Kearns has plenty of links to the greater Hunter Region - a relative who was once the mayor of Hamilton, his mother raised in Newcastle, family holidays on Lake Macquarie, godparents from Gresford and previously playing alongside Singleton halfback Steve Merrick.
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Now the former Wallabies captain is "definitely" trying to bring the rugby union World Cup to the same area as part of the country's bid for the 2027 tournament.
Kearns sees the upcoming international double header at McDonald Jones Stadium, featuring Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina, as a "test" run for the venue.
"The logistics that are required to put this event [Rugby Championships] together is pretty unique so all the stadia need to adapt to that and need to be able to deliver that," Kearns said.
"If all goes to plan and all goes well that's a big tick for Newcastle.
"Over the next 12-to-18 months we'll be putting together a venue plan which goes to the world governing body and it would be magnificent to be able to put Newcastle on that list.
"It's a terrific city outside the rugby. The beaches, the wineries and everything here just adds to the excitement that Newcastle can bring to a World Cup."
The Wallabies have been staying in the Hunter Valley this week and fly out to New Zealand on Friday for a Bledisloe Cup series before returning home for the Rugby Championship, which kicks off November 7.
Wanderers product Harry Johnson-Holmes and Maitland junior Nic White, who helped the ACT Brumbies claim the Super Rugby AU title on the weekend, are part of the national squad.
Former hooker Kearns expects both of them to feature for Australia under new coach Dave Rennie during the coming months.
Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union chairman Bill Clifton said "it doesn't get much better than this" with the Wallabies playing Argentina and the iconic All Blacks meeting World Cup holders South Africa in back-to-back Tests along Turton Road.
Officials are hopeful of a "full house" at McDonald Jones Stadium later this year, but because of COVID-19 regulations remain unsure if they will be able to increase their capped capacity.
A total of 6,659 people attended Sunday's NRL match between the Knights and Dragons in Newcastle.
The NSW government recently announced some Sydney venues could host at 50 percent from October 1 with a maximum of 40,000.
EARLIER (1pm): Newcastle's upcoming international double header featuring the Wallabies, All Blacks, South Africa and Argentina shapes as a World Cup test for the 2027 rugby union tournament.
Former Australian captain and current commentator Phil Kearns says the country is bidding for the competition and McDonald Jones Stadium would be considered as a venue.
"It is an amazing day for Newcastle and Australian Rugby to have Australia playing Argentina and the All Blacks playing the Springboks at this stadium," Kearns said from McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday.
"I'm wearing two hats, the board of Venues NSW but also Australia's World Cup bid for 2027, and this is almost like a mini World Cup being played and one of the major venues being Newcastle.
"It's a great test for Newcastle to see how it copes, and I'm sure it will cope well, for perhaps a spot in the 2027 World Cup as well."
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IN THE NEWS:
Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
