RugbyRebels

I also hate the 12 automatic berths business. I know why they do it, but I don't agree the majority of teams should be there on the basis of their form four years ago. If you look at Italy here, they'll only have to beat a couple of tier 3 sides (likely Namibia & Uruguay or Spain, all of who were tier 3 until recently, at least) to secure their place at 2023. Meanwhile Samoa are going to have to knock over a tier 1 team. There are many alternatives to this system, but I think the qualifying process reached its apogee for 1999, with all but 3 teams having to earn their place.

My understanding is that the draw happens so early not so much because of ticketing and fan travel arrangements, but for stadium bookings and management.

Unlike the soccer World Cup, RWC matches are of vastly differing interest and therefore need to be allocated to stadia of different sizes. Even within "bands" there are significant differences. England will usually attract more travelling fans than Australia, for instance.

I'm not convinced that this really justifies it, but it's the story I heard.