Welcome to the Rugby League Europe Federation

RFL makes 2013 World Cup promise

Thursday 25th February 2010

Rugby Football League chairman Richard Lewis has insisted the mistakes of the 2000 World Cup will not be repeated.

The UK will host the 2013 event after staging the competition eight years ago which was beset by problems on and off the field, leaving the RFL in debt.

"The 2000 event was a major setback for the sport," Lewis told Radio Manchester's Rugby League Extra show.

"We're confident we can get it right for 2013. Matches were played where it was difficult to attract a crowd."

Ten teams contested the last tournament in Australia in 2008 which drew huge crowds and a large worldwide television audience.

The 2013 event will have four more teams - 12 automatically entered and two qualifiers - and Lewis expects the final line-up to be decided late next year.

"We feel it is right to give more opportunities to nations who are playing regularly and successfully on the international scene.

"Although the international game is growing, we didn't want to be overly ambitious and we felt 14 teams was the right number to go with."

Lewis is also intent on staging the majority of games in the north of England to maximise ticket sales.

"Our approach will be different and we will play to our strengths by staging a lot of our matches in the game's traditional heartlands.

"We have time to prepare and plan and sell tickets through clubs and through our existing supporter base."

New Zealand stunned Australia to win the Rugby League World Cup for the first time in 2008 after a thrilling game.