KEY POINTS:
The World Cup kicks off later this month but the world won't be watching.
The media will give it only slight attention and IOC administrators won't even cough.
It's not a world tournament like football, basketball, volleyball and cycling have. There have been no qualifying tournaments for the major playing nations of Australia, New Zealand and England.
The minnows play off to make up the numbers and the winner will come from one of the main three.
I know one country which doesn't expect to make the final because they're booked to fly home that day.
There is some interest about the Kiwis' chances but this is more likely the anticipation of tests against Australia and England (a slightly weakened Great Britain).
There will be also be some curiosity about the fortunes of Samoa (or is that New Zealand II?) and they will upset the momentum of one or two teams.
But in reality, there will be a number of Australians who will watch only the Kangaroos play the Kiwis in the opening game and nothing more until the semifinals.
Most switch off after the NRL grand final and, to be honest, probably many switched off before the end of that game because it was so one-sided.
In short, there is no interest.
Cricket is making the headlines (even for losing to Bangladesh) and Australia are playing the Indians. The radar is down on rugby league and its world cup.
But do you know what? Who cares about them? This is our world cup and we will attend to it like any other team in their international event. There will be no less attention to detail in the preparation by coaches, managers and players.
There will be no love lost in pool play. It will be war, the type that will have undeclared rugby union coaches, players, administrators and agents either tuned into the TV or attending various games personally.
The teams want it because it is their opportunity to be a part of history and it's our history. No one can take that away.
The 2008 World Cup winners will be crowned 100 years after the first official rugby league game commenced in this part of the world.
