Less can be more for Rugby League World Cup

Key points

• The Rugby League World Cup has cut its field from 16 teams to 10 for the third tournament in a row. The writer argues the smaller field removes weak group matches and suits the modern game.
• Tonga and Samoa have drawn large crowds in recent Test matches, and Samoa and Tonga have already sold out their group stage clash at Parramatta Stadium. New Zealand, with Kalyn Ponga making his Test debut, is seen as a strong contender, while Australia remains favourite but is not invulnerable.
• The writer says the tournament has never looked so open at the top.