Sydney rugby league crowd hits 50-year high for World Cup opener
Just under 40,000 tickets sold for Thursday's World Cup rugby league opener between New Zealand and Australia at Allianz Stadium.
Sydney is heading toward a near-sellout with 40,000 of 42,500 seats taken for the blockbuster clash. The last test crowd that big was 1974 when 55,505 fans saw Australia play Great Britain at the SCG.
In the NRL era, the record was 34,571 in 2008. Ronnie Mulitalo, one of rugby league's most notorious sledgers, will lead the Kiwi side from left wing.
He slapped Melbourne's Harry Grant in the face during their last meeting and drew a 10-minute suspension. New Zealand's belief in Stacey Jones' squad has been clear: thousands of Kiwi fans bought tickets hoping for an opening-round upset.
- just under 40,000
- Tickets sold
- 42,500
- Stadium capacity
- 1974, 55,505 fans
- Last major Sydney Test
- slapped Harry Grant, 10-minute bin
- Mulitalo's last incident
Why it mattersThe crowd size shows international rugby league at its strongest, and a sold-out test in Sydney is rare enough to signal genuine momentum for the game.
AustraliaSydney hosting the World Cup opener at near-capacity shows rugby league's grip on Australian fans and hints at growing interest in international play.
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