England could know their World Cup opponents within a month as Australian rugby chiefs stepped up preparations for staging next year's global spectacular.

Australia have been handed sole custody of the 2003 tournament after International Rugby Board bosses ditched New Zealand as co-hosts following a row over stadium advertising.

But while New Zealanders were reeling from arguably the country's most damaging rugby "defeat", the mood in Australia was jubilant.

"I think it is great for the Australian public," said Wallabies skipper George Gregan.

"It is an exciting period for Australian rugby, and this is going to raise the profile even more."

And Gregan's former Test team-mate, double World Cup winner Tim Horan, added: "Australia can definitely handle something like the Rugby World Cup.

"We all remember how the Sydney Olympics were received around the globe, and the Rugby World Cup will be to that sort of standard.

"Everyone was probably treading water, waiting for yesterday's decision, but now everything will swing into action in Australia and I have no doubt that Australian people will embrace the World Cup."

The Australian Rugby Union has already announced that it intends launching the competition - complete with match schedule and venues - within a month.

Twenty countries will compete in four groups of five, with the opening fixture likely to pair the Wallabies with Argentina at Sydney's Stadium Australia on October 3 next year.

The 48-game tournament is set to be played at 10 venues across Australia, stretching from Perth - where England could well find themselves based - in the west, to traditional eastern rugby locations such as Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

"We are rolling up our sleeves and getting down to work," said Australian Rugby Union managing director John O'Neill.

"We have been obsessive about hosting this World Cup, and with good reason. "World rugby has a great opportunity to stage an event of the highest quality, and the ARU possesses the expertise to do that. The integrity of the tournament is at the front of our thinking.

"At the same time, there is the chance to provide a great legacy for the game in Australia, both in terms of exposure and financially.

"Professional sport is a tough, competitive environment in Australia, and Rugby World Cup staged here will give us an edge our competitors lack," he added.

"We are well down the track in our preparation, but time is of the essence," O'Neill added.

"We have set some critical timelines to ensure this event will be every bit as good as people expect. There is no looking back now - we must roll up our sleeves and get on with it.

"Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia will be the best ever. We have the track record, we've made the commitment and we will put our hearts into it."

New Zealand rugby officials though, can now only lick their wounds and accept the IRB decision, painful as that might be.