For all the investment, both financially and in the hearts and minds of players from all the nations involved, it must go ahead. There's also the considerable matter of the Aussies being unable to call themselves World Champions after the event! That in itself would make me want to hold the competition. It's sheer hypocrisy that the Aussie/NZ teams aren't coming when, as has been mentioned by others, both nations have national teams in various sports touring UAE, Bangladesh (hardly known for its excellent health care!), UK and Europe and of course Japan! It's all about the self interest of the NRL and no doubt Fox. If we cancel it will inflate the egos at the NRL even more! We can show them we can have a World Cup without them and we should.