Sydney Rugby League supporters may feel snubbed by yesterday's decision to host next year's Rugby League World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, but for Queensland fans it is something they have earned.

Sydney has had its chances at hosting International Rugby League, but dismal crowds of around 20,000 have done little to convince the power-brokers behind the game that it is a fitting city to host such an event. Suncorp Stadium, with a capacity of around 52,000 is without doubt the premier Rugby League stadium in Australia, if not the world, and is home to the biggest crowd-pulling team in the NRL, the Brisbane Broncos.

Added to the popularity of the Brisbane Broncos, is the the regularly sold-out Cowboys games in Townsville and the big crowds the newly enterd Gold Coast Titans are pulling. Queensland has long been a Rugby League stronghold and it is about time the sunshine state was rewarded with a top line Rugby League event beside the State of Origin.

Along with the final, Queensland was rewarded with a semi-final and three group matches to be held on the Gold Coast at Robina's yet-to-be-finished Skilled Park, Townsville's Dairy Farmer's Stadium and a venue yet to be decided, but Toowoomba has been mentioned as a possible location.

The World Cup, which will feature 10 teams, will be a real test of how far international Rugby League has grown since the last World Cup in 2000, which Australia won easily. Australia will head into this tournament as favourites once again. However, they could be pushed by New Zealand and Great Britian who have beaten the Kangaroos in the last few years.

Papua New Guinea and France gained automatic qualification due to the history and popularity of the game in their countries, while Fiji and Tonga are the first teams to qualify through the region qualifiers. Seven teams are still left to fight it out for three remaining places in the tournament, including Ireland, Lebanon, Russia, Scotland, Wales the USA and Samoa.