Countdown begins to biggest-ever Rugby World Cup

Rugby's biggest World Cup kicks off in 12 months with a record 24 teams clashing over six weeks in Australia, and ominous back-to-back champions South Africa are already staking their claim to another title. The 11th and most ambitious edition of the global showpiece gets underway on October 1 next year, expanded from 20 nations and on course to smash attendance records. Played in seven cities -- Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Townsville, and Newcastle -- demand for a bumper 52 games has been strong despite concerns that the sport's popularity could be waning.

More than 750,000 pre-sale tickets were snapped up by fans from 135 countries, led by Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan and France. Chile, the United States and Canada were also big buyers with over half sold within the first six hours. The most in-demand games so far have been Australia vs.

Scotland and knockout phase clashes. "It's a really good signal," said World Rugby chief Brett Robinson, an Australian. "We're really optimistic and excited." He added: "It's going to be a party like nothing on Earth." About 2.4 million fans attended the 2023 World Cup in France, and with 2.5 million tickets available in Australia, that record is set to be broken.

The next batch is due for release this week. It is shaping to be an economic windfall for Rugby Australia, which posted a monster operating surplus this year on the back of a lucrative 2025 tour by the British and Irish Lions. Chairman Daniel Herbert said hosting the World Cup -- and the women's in 2029 -- was a "generational opportunity", with the national body hoping to bank around Aus$100 million (US$70 million).

Only four teams have won the World Cup -- South Africa (4), New Zealand (3), Australia (2), England (1) -- and the dominant Springboks are again favourites. They were at their devastating best to tame the All Blacks 3-1 in their just-completed "Greatest Rivalry" four-Test series to reinforce their status as world number one. Given the way the draw has been set, they are not likely to meet in the final, instead being on a collision course for a last-eight clash should they both win their groups as expected.

Peak at right time Rassie Erasmus's Springboks face Italy, Georgia and Romania in Pool B. Dave Rennie's All Blacks -- bidding for a first title since 2015 after bein…