This year's Rugby League World Cup has officially been postponed until 2022, much to the frustration of the host federation and nations.
Tournament organisers and the UK government confirmed the decision on Thursday, identifying a host of challenges which proved too difficult to overcome in staging the World Cup in 2021.
The decision comes following the move by the ARLC and NZRL to pull out of the tournament last month, while the NRL proposed the tournament be postponed and supported the decision to withdraw.
In a statement, World Cup organisers confirmed this was a major factor in the decision to postpone.
"The most significant (challenge) being the non-release of up to 400 players, match officials and staff members from the NRL competition in Australia," a statement read.
"This is despite all requests from international rugby league federations having been met which included the rigorous health measures that have been keeping thousands of elite athletes from around the world safe whilst competing in major sporting events across the UK over the last year."
Both RLWC2021 and the Super League expressed their disappointment but conceded they were left with little choice following the decisions of those in charge in Australia and New Zealand.
Tournament CEO Jon Dutton said they were committed to delivering a successful competition next year.
"Today is a challenging moment for everyone involved in Rugby League, but most importantly the players and fans of the competing nations," Dutton said.
"Ultimately, time and competing priorities from others forced us to make the most difficult decision in our six-year history.
"However, we and the sport of Rugby League are resilient, and next year we will deliver our vision of the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup ever.
"We have always prioritised player voice and player choice. We have established a player working group, met with senior players and in the last few days commissioned a player survey to domestic players in Australia and New Zealand that showed more than 85% wanted to compete at RLWC2021 this year.
"However, following the disappointing decision of the ARLC and NZRL to withdraw, and the subsequent impact on player availability for other competing nations, it is apparent that delivering the tournament this year would not be feasible."
Interim Super League chairman Ken Davy echoed those sentiments.
"I am sure all rugby league fans are as disappointed at today’s news as we are at Super League," Davy said.
"Following Australia and New Zealand’s decision to withdraw from the tournament, it sadly felt inevitable that in order to host a world class, compelling and meaningful competition that tournament organisers would have little option but to postpone the event."
