Australia coach Ricky Stuart doesn't want the international rugby league rules to turn the World Cup into a game of "physical touch".

Stuart issued his warning two days out from the Kangaroos' opening clash with New Zealand at the Sydney Football Stadium, fearing the difference in NRL and Super League rule interpretations could rob the game of confrontation.

The Kangaroos coach will speak to referees' boss Mick Stone to ensure the whistleblowers don't over-police the ruck and actually allow some wrestling in the games.

"I just hope the game doesn't turn into a physical game of touch," said Stuart.

"I want to make sure that it is a very traditional Test match where it's not a matter of hitting and surrendering and wanting to get up and play the ball very quickly.

"I just want to make sure we actually get into a wrestle ... we need confrontation at the ruck and that is what a Test match is all about.

"There will be a difference (between referee interpretations). That is the nature of the beast. The referees from England will be a little bit different to the referees from Australia.

"That is the style of game they're used to and it's very hard to change your game immediately. I'm sure Mick Stone has done a lot of work there to get them as close as they can to all work similar."

The Kangaroos will start the tournament as overwhelming favourites to lift their seventh successive World Cup but Stuart has already confronted his squad about complacency in the 10-nation event.

He warned that both New Zealand and England were capable of knocking off the Australians on their home soil.

"They've certainly got the talent there to beat us," he said.

"It's been shown over the years that New Zealand and England have the ability to beat Australia on their day ... we can't afford to be off our game.

"It is sometimes good having the favourite's tag because we are the best team in the world. We have that tag to live up to. It's a bit of extra pressure but at this level it is something you can put up with."

After an eight-year hiatus, the return of the World Cup has been heralded as a new era of international rugby league.

But sceptics question just how successful the tournament will be if Australia continue to dominate as they have in recent years.

Stuart, however, is confident the international game is on the right path to grow and match the elite world status held by rugby union even if Australia maintain their stranglehold.

He believes the increase of Polynesian players in the game, combined with more Test matches for the minnow nations like Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Papua New Guinea will help grow the game further.

"I think you will be able to rate the success of this World Cup series in eight years' time," said Stuart.

"This is all about building a platform for eight years' time ... we want to see it eight years down the track as a bigger and better product.

"The Polynesian boys would be very excited about playing for their countries if they got more Test matches.

"This is going to be a great platform to bounce off.

"We want to get to the stage where rugby union are ... they've done a fantastic job and it's the pinnacle of their game.

"I would love to see (the World Cup) be the pinnacle of our international series."

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