The RLIF yesterday announced nine million people in Australia alone had watched the tournament on TV and 227,511 live - with 120,000 pieces of licenced apparel sold.
Federation chairman Colin Love told the Daily Telegraph the 2013 tournament, to be held in Europe or Australasia, would be expanded to 12 teams.
But the RLIF currently gets nothing from television rights to internationals outside the World Cup because they are included in the domestic deals of the NRL and Britain's Rugby Football League.
But from 2011, when the NRL deal is to be renegotiated, the Federation wants Tests to be left out so they can be sold separately to generate more profits like the one announced yesterday.
“I think it's got to happen,” the RLWC08 tournament director said.
“It's not a matter of taking games off anyone but it's a far better idea than individual countries negotiating television rights for their own internationals.”
As expected, there will be quad-nations for the next four years, alternating between the northern and southern hemispheres.
France will be the fourth country in 2009 but will have to play off in 2010 against other European nations to keep their spot the following year.
A Pacific Cup will be held next year to decide who completes the quad nations the following season.
“We have sponsors interested in underwriting that now so it is possible we won't lose money,” said Love.
But plans for a British Lions tour of Australiasia in 2012 have been ditched because the ARL and NRL promised players a year off.
Countries will have to submit proposals and buisiness plans to get a share of the World Cup profits.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.