I agree with the super pool concept, but I do npt agree with the qualifiers playing number 1...

"yeah fellas, proved yourself to be best of the rest, now test yourself againt Australia...."

If, and last time was Fiji, you prove to be the best of the minnows, your benchmark should be number 4, not number 1. Also witht he last format, the outcome of the superpool was to only play t avoid coming 4th.

For this world cup, especially with France, Wales and some of the PI's looking to improve, I'd do something like this (qualifiers are hypothetical)

Super Group (best 3 sides from the last world cup plus the host nation, England)

Australia
NZ
England
Fiji

(A-I) Double header to open world cup @ London (Wembley) - Aus vs Eng, NZ vs Fiji
(A-II) Aus vs NZ @ London (Stoop)
(A-III) Eng vs Fiji @ Hull (KC)
(A-IV) Aus vs Fiji @ Leeds (Headingley)
(A-V) Eng vs NZ @ Manchester (C.o.M)

Group B

France
Wales
Tonga
Lebanon

France and Wales stacked together to give 3 pool games each

(B-I) France vs Wales @ Paris (That 12,000 seater)
(B-II) Tonga vs Lebanon @ Brigend
(B-III) France vs Tonga @ Perpignan
(B-IV) Wales vs Lebanon @ Brigend
(B-V) France vs Lebanon @ Toulouse
(B-VI) Wales vs Tonga @ Swansea

Group C

PNG
Ireland
Samoa
USA

Games for heartlands, + one token game for Ireland

(C-I) PNG vs Ireland @ Belfast
(C-II) Samoa vs USA @ Warrington
(C-III) PNG vs Samoa @ Wigan (JJB)
(C-IV) Ireland vs USA @ St Helens
(C-V) PNG vs USA @ Leeds (Headingley)
(C-VI) Ireland vs Samoa @ Huddersfield

Then quarter finals

Q1 3rd Super pool vs winner group B
Q2 4th Super pool vs winner group C
Bye - 1st and 2nd from super pool

(QF1) England vs France/Wales @ Wigan (JJB)
(QF2) Fiji vs PNG @ Huddersfield

Semi finals

SF1 - 1st Super pool vs winner QF2
SF2 - 2nd Super pool vs winner QF1

(SF1) Australia vs PNG @ Hull (KC)
(SF2) NZ vs England @ Manchester (C.o.M)

Final

Winner SF1 vs WInner SF2

(F) Australia vs NZ @ Manchester (Old Trafford)

But on the flip side I dont think as many would tune in if it was two smaller nations. Personally I am one of those that would go watch genuine teams (not those made up of Aussies/Brits with a grandparent from there) that I barely get to see though.
But seeing Scotland made up of Aussies and lower league English players, vs Ireland filled up with Aussies and lower league English players is not going to get me to tune in. So have either of those teams playing one of the big three is more than likely to get me to tune in

Something I've been saying for a long time.

Whatever the format I think Both Semi Finals should be played at the same ground over a single weekend (as the Magic Weekend is) but the stadia used should be in the heartlands so ether Elland Road Or City of Manchester.

Final should be at Wembley with cheep tickets for all, making revenue from advertisements, and anyone that got a 2 day Semi Final Ticket has the chance to get an even cheaper ticket at the final?
And what about a Ticket Package that gets you into the Weekend Semis and the final for a single price? that way more people will be likely to attend all three of the big games.

Lets Sell out Wembley and make a huge advertisement for both the sport and the international game!

I really like this idea, especially the playoff format with the bye for the "super" group.

Maybe I would add more complication and have a group with PNG, Wales, France + other as the "semi super" group, give top team a shot against "supergroup 4th" and then the team that comes second plays winner of "minnows" group for the mach against "supergourp 3rd".

Or scrap qualifying, make it a knockout cup and each team plays the nearest ranking team until all teams are knocked out, battle royale stylee...

A little over four years to go and I'm getting excited already!