If the weekend’s television ratings are anything to go by – the 2017 version of the competition will be the most watched World Cup in history and the Seven Network couldn’t be happier.

2.59 million viewers tuned in to watch Australia’s torrid Test clash against England where the home side eventually came away with a 18-4 win in Melbourne.

On Saturday, less than 100,000 people watched the Wallabies rugby union side face the Barbarians on free-to-air while 30,000 more preferred the Papua New Guinea versus Wales World Cup game in Ports Moresby.

Almost 500,000 people watched the Saturday night double header where New Zealand and Fiji claimed victories.

Thanks sports fans for getting behind the @Kangaroos last night. #7RLWC reached 2.59 million viewers and averaged 1.4 million nationally.👏🇦🇺

— Channel 7 (@Channel7) October 27, 2017