A million tickets under $100 have proved popular but next week’s main release will be a litmus test for the expanded 24-team format in Australia

There is just over one year to go until the men’s Rugby World Cup, the world’s third best-attended sporting event, kicks off. It promises to be an international celebration that also unites Australia, and an opportunity to bury the memories of Jonny Wilkinson from 2003.

Size alone cannot guarantee its success, however, and the coming week’s main release of tickets will be a litmus test for the expanded 24-team format. Will the tournament’s 52 matches in seven cities – from the mouth-watering pool match between the hosts and the All Blacks to the less-than-traditional rugby clash between Chile and Hong Kong – sell out? And will those without the sponsor’s credit card have the chance to buy tickets at all?

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