I read RLFANS every day, but as you can see I don't post too often! The negativity of a lot of people on here about anything and everything always makes me chuckle (its either that or cry, and I'd rather try and see the funny side). I'm excited about this World Cup, and everyone is entitled to NOT be excited if they so wish, but I can't believe the amount of people here and on other forums already writing it off.

The opening double header could hopefully see two closely fought games in a well attended (fingers crossed), dry stadium (Cardiff's roof ensuring there'll be no repeat of the wash-out at Twickenham in 2000; I was there and it wasn't pretty!).

Wales v Italy is just one of many games I think are impossible to predict the outcome of - Fiji v Ireland should be a cracker if it's anything like the 2008 WC game; France v PNG, France v Samoa, Samoa v PNG, Scotland v Tonga and Italy, Tonga v Italy, Wales v CI, Tonga v CI...all should be close, fiery encounters! Any match involving the South Pacific nations should be entertaining and lively because that's the style of rugby they usually play. And how often are you going to see them turn up in Warrington, Hull, Whitehaven or Leigh, let alone see the mighty Kangaroos run out at St Helens and Limerick, or the current World Champions grace Headingley?

There's more to international Rugby League than Australia, New Zealand and England, even if the eventual winners will be one of those three. It has the potential to be a fantastic tournament on the pitch - I only hope the RFL can do a worthy job of persuading the public (and RL fans as well!) that it's worth turning up to see in person. I honestly don't know how anyone can't be excited about the World Cup coming here!

Half an hour to knock the game, Saddened. You're slipping.
Of course the crowds will be low if so called fans have decided they'll be staying at home 615 days before the tournament kicks off.
I see your ignorance when it comes to club level rugby league extends to the international game. The venues are unappealing? Millenium Stadium, Galpharm, KC Stadium, Langtree Park, Thomond Park, Halliwell Jones, Parc des Esports, Gilbert Brutus, Headingley, City of Salford Stadium. Really?
If Saints get drawn against Swinton in the cup quarters, would you intentionally turn your back because you think it's a foregone conclusion? What would happen to crowds in sport if supporters only turned up when they exècted a close game?
Unfortunately your type are all too common in rugby league. It's that short-sighted 'my town is the centre of the universe' backwardness that rears its head whenever there's an international tournament. You state that the 2013 World Cup will be embarrassing and that the RFL are incapable of selling the game. What chance have they got when the people they will be targeting have decided they don't want anything to do with it before the first email has been sent or advert put in the press? It's not the RFL that's embarrassing, it's people like yourself.

The crowds will be poor if the games are poorly marketed and publicised, it would be a welcome change to see good crowds in a well organised and publicised tournament

There are those who will go no matter where and when the games are held, I was at the last world cup and there are those who will go much further to see the international game in the flesh. No need to market to them as they are definitely going (the RFL probably gave all these people £10 tickets for Wembley last year when they would have paid double that and more) No need to market to those who have already decided to go either. The key is those in the middle, how many can we convince to see an international rugby league game, possibly for the first time in a long time, possibly for the first time ever. Where did the crowds go that went to internationals in the nineties, has the destructive nature of super league, franchising and one club mentality killed that off for good?

The problems this world cup has have already started, the exposure that the national grand final coverage (that had no competition from other sports that weekend) and Wembley 2011 (in London and live on the BBC) should have been the starting point of a crescendo all the way to the tournament. Unfortunately the RFL spent most of the promotion time and money for Wembley kick starting an Exiles concept (that I see as damaging and degrading to the international game) and then when the game and tournament were over we didn't know when or where England's next game would be (or any significant international in this country) who would be playing or when the international game would be returning to Wembley.

Now we have a year with no internationals until October and none of those set to impact on the wider sporting conciousness in the country, effectively two whole years between the end of one tournament to the world cup and the RFL making noises about expanding the WCC, again something that will likely damage the real international game.

I am excited about the world cup, i think it could have been better structured, i hope that it will be a success and will try and go to as many games as I can but I am worried that 2000 could happen all over again

Bring back 1995 where people just attended games and got on with it. The internet is it's own worst enemy at times.