Australian Rugby League chief executive Colin Love is adamant the World Cup has presented the code its greatest opportunity to be launched on the international stage.

"There was an interest being shown around the world in rugby league that we've never had before," Love said. "We have 126 countries televising the tournament. It will be shown in the USA, Europe and the United Kingdom, Africa, India … Albania is even on board.

"This tournament will lay a foundation of success for rugby league. Rugby union played their World Cup in Australia in 1987 - and it was played at Concord Oval, a suburban ground in Sydney - and it has since become a major international event."

The Aussies have won nine of the 12 league World Cups, but Love took aim at critics who've described the tournament as a battle to see who Australia beat in the final. "People like to knock things," he said. "However, England have made it clear they think they are a big chance, New Zealand are always competitive. They beat us 24-0 in a Tri-Nations final three years ago and we beat them in extra time in 2006. They also have [coach] Wayne Bennett helping them."

The November 22 final in Brisbane is a sell-out; the Australia-England game in Melbourne on November 2 is also expected to be sold out and fans from Rockhampton to Wollongong and Penrith to the Central Coast are expected to make the most of their chance to watch international league.