Rugby League World Cup Kicks Off

The 2008 Rugby League World Cup began on Saturday when England opened their campaign against Papua New Guinea at Diary Farmers Stadium in Townsville. The opening ceremony then took place at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sydney ahead of Australia's grudge match against New Zealand.

There are few who would bet against one of England, New Zealand or Australia to win the competition - with holders Australia being the favourites, having won nine out of the 12 competitions that have taken place in the tournaments history.

The history of the Rugby League World Cup is somewhat erratic in part due to the regular changes to the format of the competition. There is also no set time between each World Cup (like the standard four years in most other sports) highlighting the fact that rugby league as a global entity is still very much a work in progress.

This year there are ten teams competing and they have been split into three groups. Group A consists of four teams, New Zealand, Australia, England and Papua New Guinea. The top three teams in this group will advance into the semi final with the bottom team eliminated. The winners of the other two groups will play each other in a qualifying match with the winner making the semi finals.

The 22-game tournament, which ends with the final at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Sunday 22nd November, focuses on Australia's rugby league heartland in NSW and Queensland. In addition to games at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Sydney Football Stadium and Suncorp Stadium games are also being held at Canberra Stadium; Parramatta Stadium; CUA Stadium, Penrith; WIN Stadium, Wollongong; Skilled Park, Gold Coast; Telstra Dome, Melbourne; Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast; Browne Park, Rockhampton; and Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle.

Image: Diary Farmers Stadium, Townsville