Australia the big Cup cash winner

Australia is set to be the big winner at this year's World Cup after convincing the International Rugby Board to give it a bigger slice of the tournament profits.

The Australian Rugby Union was originally told that its share as the host nation would be capped at A$45 million ($49.97 million).

The ARU lobbied the IRB to lift its ceiling after it sold more than one million tickets, ensuring the initial profit forecasts would be exceeded.

ARU managing director John O'Neill said the IRB had now agreed to lift the cap on profits. Under the new arrangement, the ARU would be allowed to keep the first A$31 million profit from the tournament, plus 25 per cent of any other surplus. The IRB would retain the other 75 per cent.