Overview
- World Rugby opened the two-week Application Phase for all 52 matches on Tuesday, with a ballot to allocate tickets if requests exceed supply.
- Organizers reported more than 750,000 presale tickets sold to fans in 135 countries, pointing to broad international interest.
- Speaking in Brisbane at the 500‑day event, Brad Thorn called the World Cup a "different beast" where lead‑up form counts for little.
- Thorn praised recent Wallabies progress after last year's British and Irish Lions series and said Australian rugby is in a pretty good space.
- Coverage framed South Africa as early favourites given back‑to‑back titles and the top World Rugby ranking, with France, Ireland and England also mentioned as threats.