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The Rugby League International Federation will use the $5 million in profits generated by the World Cup to fund an expanded Test calendar.
And they’ve set their sights on matching the rise of rugby union’s showpiece event with the RLIF keen to cash in on the foundations set by this year’s World Cup, which will attract a sellout crowd of 52,000 to Saturday night’s final in Brisbane between Australia and New Zealand.
“If you just cast your mind back to when the rugby World Cup started … the semi-final was played in Sydney was played at Concord Oval in front of a crowd of 15,000 people,” RLIF chairman Colin Love said.
“It was a modest success.
“But in the 21 years (since) that event has now become a major international sporting event.
“I believe the product we’ve got in rugby league is as good as in any other code and there’s no reason why we can’t head in that direction hopefully in a much shorter period of time.”
Despite this being the 13th staging of the World Cup, the tournament is being viewed as a stepping stone to bigger things.
It has left the RLIF with a kitty in excess of $5 million – much of which has come from healthy television deals – which Love says will be pumped back into the game to assist with the development of the emerging nations.
The most obvious consequence is the transformation of the Tri-Nations into a four-nations concept, with the Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand to be joined by another country on a rotating basis.
France will take part and most likely host some games in the 2009 tournament to be staged in the northern hemisphere, at which time a Pacific Nations Cup will be contested with the winner to become the fourth team in the 2010 four-nations.
Love said the timing of the Pacific Nations Cup would enable NRL and Super League players to turn out for those countries competing in the competition.
The expanded international program is all about improving the standard of the lesser lights ahead of the 2013 World Cup, which will likely be staged in the UK, though Love said Australia would also bid to host the event.
“What I’m keen to do is make sure that the international game maximises the revenue that it can earn from this event,” Love said.
More than 220,000 fans – an average of over 14,000 per game – have attended the World Cup with television viewing audiences just topping nine million.
Gamebreakers to watch in Saturday’s rugby league World Cup final:
Australia
BILLY SLATER
World’s best player on current form. Slater has an uncanny ability to pop up in the right spots at the right time. The fullback uses acceleration and footwork to beat opposing defenders at will and create opportunities from nothing. Given space he will almost certainly make you pay. He’s scored seven tries from three games at the World Cup.JOHNATHAN THURSTON
The game’s best halfback since Andrew Johns retired. At his most dangerous when running the ball with his creativity and variety keeping defenders guessing. Has deceptive pace to get around defenders, sets up play and is always on hand to support his ball runners for second phase play. Possesses an accurate and long kicking game and is Australia’s No.1 goalkicking option.CAMERON SMITH
Reigning Golden Boot winner as world’s best player. Has set a new standard for hookers with his great work rate in defence matched by his enthusiasm and ball-playing ability out of dummy half. Has a thumping left foot kick and a rocket-like pass that gives Australia a third playmaking option in attack. Uses the space around the ruck brilliantly and always exploits sloppy marker defence. Another goalkicking option.New Zealand
BENJI MARSHALL
At his best Marshall can rival the likes of Slater and Thurston for danger and creativity. At his worst he can be questionable in defence. Thankfully for New Zealand he has shown more good than bad at the World Cup. His halves combination with Nathan Fien has finally provided direction and more importantly variety for the Kiwis. Marshall is Australia’s biggest threat with his elusive foot work, agility and speed.ISSAC LUKE
The smallest player on the field but potentially a match-winner. Will provide an immediate spark off the bench when he replaces hooker Thomas Leuluai at dummy half. At 174cm and just 80kg he is a real livewire who exploits any laziness in marker defence. For his size he is also one of the toughest tacklers going around. Tormented Australia in his Test debut earlier this year but was surprisingly left out of their World Cup loss four weeks ago.MANU VATUVEI
Appropriately nicknamed “The Beast”, Vatuvei is a menacing figure. Standing 189cm tall and weighing 112kg he is all muscle and gold teeth. Scored a World Cup record four tries against England two weeks ago. The biggest winger going around and the toughest to put down, always attracting multiple defenders. Had a brilliant 2008 NRL season but is dogged by perceptions from one horror game in 2007 where he struggled with the high ball.
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