AUSTRALIA and New Zealand have committed themselves to the rescheduled Rugby League World Cup, organisers have confirmed.

The tournament was supposed to take place this autumn but was postponed after the Kangaroos and Kiwis confirmed they would not be sending teams due to Covid-19 concerns.

However, RLWC organisers have now affirmed they along with the rest of the nations due to play have fully committed themselves to playing next year, with a full revised schedule to be released on Friday.

The 2022 tournament kicks off on October 15 as England's men take on Samoa at Newcastle's St James' Park and finishes on November 19 with the men's and women's finals at Old Trafford.

There will be some fixture changes but only five have been affected in the rescheduling process.

Liverpool FC's Anfield home will no longer be able to host a marquee men's quarter final and an England women's match due to scheduled redevelopment work while the city's M&SBank Arena cannot now host games in the wheelchair tournament due to prior commitments.

“For everyone involved in this trailblazing tournament, today is a very important and exciting milestone on our journey to 2022," RLWC chief executive Jon Dutton said.

“We have suffered a setback, but since that moment in August we have dedicated all our energy towards rebuilding.

“A huge amount of work has gone in behind the scenes and thanks to so many people we have the opportunity to deliver a bigger and better tournament next autumn.

“I want to thank all partners, in particular the UK Government, our broadcast and commercial partners, the administrators of the competing nations for their full commitment, as well as our host towns, cities and venues for providing the perfect stage for the best players in world to shine.

“I also want to extend a special thanks to the incredible number of loyal fans who held onto their tickets and have continued to support this event that will see the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments take place simultaneously for the first time ever.”

General admission tickets and hospitality for all 61 matches will be back on sale from 9am on November 19 in line with the full schedule reveal.

Fans who have purchased tickets for the small number of revised fixtures will be contacted with information on what will happen next with their tickets. A dedicated refund window will be available from Wednesday, November 24, to request refunds.

The BBC have reaffirmed that every minute of all 61 RLWC2021 matches will be shown live and free across their platforms.