Did you know that the Rugby League World Cup was the first competition to be known as the ''Rugby World Cup''?
Players and administrators in this code were the trailblazers when it came to professionalising the game of rugby, and they also led the way when they established a world cup in 1954 in France.
Almost 60 years later, the competition now known as the Rugby League World Cup returns to its place of origin in a month-long tournament hosted by England and Wales, with matches also played in Ireland and France.
What have the highlights been so far? Other than slip-ups, injury worries and the odd disciplinary issue, nothing too spectacular or controversial has happened yet.
On the field, it is obvious that the sharks have been toying with the minnows, trying out different combinations and getting used to each other.
It seems the most difficult opponent has been the small in-goal area. This was the cause of huge embarrassment for Sonny Bill Williams, whose large frame refused to stop in time when he casually went to dot the ball down for a try in the game against Samoa.
We learn the most from our failures, so everyone is that much more cautious due to SBW's slip-up.
In fact, this world cup hasn't done much for Sonny's brand, with the video footage of him being scared by a snake in the Kiwi's team room also going viral (more than 20,000 hits). Doesn't do much for his manly image, but it does show his humanity.
The other discussion point around this tournament has been the rule regarding replacing injured players under ''exceptional circumstances''. As Australia has found out, dislocating your shoulder as a result of bashing into an advertising banner that is exceptionally close to the in-goal area is not an exceptional enough reason to warrant a replacement pass.
As a result, Australia is already down to 23 players with the business end of the tournament still to come.
England, too, has a reduced squad, due not to injury but to Zak Hardaker leaving for personal reasons, and although coach Steve McNamara is adamant this is not a disciplinary issue, the media are suggesting this is some kind of retribution for Hardaker breaking the alcohol ban in the aftermath of England's loss to Italy during a warm-up match.
McNamara is learning that when there isn't anything juicy to report on, the media will make its own juice.
One intriguing story surrounding this tournament's history is that of the disappearance of the original trophy in 1970.
It miraculously resurfaced 20 years later thanks to the keen eye and persistence of Roger Uttley, from Bradford, who discovered the unidentifiable trophy in a pile of rubbish close to a rugby club.
Rugby league itself has a story line similar to that of this trophy. It has had its glory days, years of being neglected, and now it is being reclaimed, re-buffed and reloved. For the trophy and the tournament to become even grander, however, the competition on the field needs to be exceptional.
It is promising that nations like the United States are starting to get involved, but the gap between the top teams and bottom dwellers needs to be reduced if this tournament is to compete with other global sporting events.
The rugby union version of this tournament started later but the Webb Ellis Trophy has been shared between Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and even England.
The Rugby League World Cup has been dominated by Australia (nine wins), and the now-dispersed Great Britain team managed to claim it three times.
New Zealand's victory at the last world cup took everyone by surprise. Can the Kiwis repeat that fluke again?We'd all love them to, and if they manage their injuries strategically, learn from Sonny Bill's blunder and keep their mischievous antics low key, they might be able to repeat that miraculous feat.
As the business end of the tournament starts to unfold, the games need to lift their intensity and capture the hearts and souls of rugby league followers and, even better, create rugby league converts.
I can't wait to see the likes of Australia, England and New Zealand battle it out. It wouldn't hurt the tournament either if there were also a few upsets along the way - as long as it isn't Papua New Guinea upsetting the Kiwis this weekend!
