Without wanting to cast the slightest doubt over the accuracy of the assessment, it would certainly seem remarkable in the extreme if an event that attracted minuscule crowds could return such an impressive return.

All right, the final drew a decent attendance, but what about the pool games where there were thousands of empty seats?

Surely these would have been absolute fizzers at the turnstiles - and there appeared no shortage of them.

As much as the RLWC had its supporters - and those prepared to put on the most positive of spins on the worst scenarios - there were also notable detractors other than The Notebook.

Many questioned why there was any need for so many second-string, over-the-hill or "retired" NRL players to be dragged out for the tournament.

The simple answer was to fill the gaping holes in the "international" teams.

As my esteemed former Sydney colleague Phil Rothfield wrote recently, some of the players had never been to the country they were representing.

The RLWC was a joke from start to finish.

The seemingly endless preliminary games were completely lacking in interest and must have been as boring for the highly-paid players as they were for the sparse spectators.

Ultimately, the ridiculous lead-up campaign led to the only possible conclusion - Australian playing New Zealand in the final.

And, unsurprisingly, Australia whipped New Zealand by 30-2, which is probably a fair indication of the divide between the best and second-best "international" rugby league teams on the planet.

Continue down to the list to the 10th, 11th or 271st "best" team and the gulf would be a score of cricket proportions.

For those suggesting people in Italy took even the slightest of notice of the efforts of "their" team at the RLWC, The Notebook says they need to consult a psychiatrist.

Same goes for the idea that little more than a handful in the USA, Ireland or even France, where rugby league is a minority sport like roque is in Wagga, paid any attention to the event.

To suggest otherwise is stupid.

The Notebook spent no time watching RLWC games in the middle of the night, but caught glimpses on TV news bulletins and highlight packages.

Generally there seemed to be more vacant seats than those occupied by diehards fans, especially at games involving the third-rate teams.

All this would indicate is that even the English rugby league population could not be duped into thinking the RLWC was all that important.

The best that can be said for the entire episode is that insomniacs in NSW and Queensland had something to watch on telly.

Naturally, the sports tragics who relish the opportunity to cheer for Botswana in a ODI against Nepal also probably dragged themselves out of bed at an ungodly hour to catch the games.

The TV ratings for the tournament were apparently "off the dial" (exaggeration) - so someone must have watched it.

Obviously the RLWC television rights were not cheap, and would have chipped in a share of the overall "profit".

Still, it is hard to fathom how something that surely cost an arm and a leg to put on - and attracted such an unimposing response - could finish $5 million in front.

However, just suppose there actually is $5 million left over after all expenses are paid etc.

Where will it go?

The fact that the tournament was mainly played in England would mean that all the cash will stay in England.

Only seems fair I suppose, as obviously the ARLC or NRL or someone would collect the prizemoney for Australia winning the final.

Presumably the other countries, including America, Italy, Tonga etc, all managed to square their books � costs were covered by their return.

And, miraculously, the tournament still managed to make a $5 million profit.

In the circumstances, the bean-counter in charge deserves to give himself a decent bonus.

Just don't think about spreading any of the "wealth" into the bush where it is most desperately needed.

Last week two prominent officials from Group Nine clubs decried the cost of trying to secure a captain-coach for 2014 - and there has been others before them.

They all claim it is becoming increasingly more expensive to attract decent candidates for the top job at a bush club.

Money up front is not the greatest obstacle - finding employment in a dwindling market is the gravest concern.

So, while the RLWC banks $5 million, clubs in Group Nine, Group 20 and anywhere else in the bush have to literally bankroll a coach on chook raffles - and also find some kindly benefactor prepared to come up with a job.

In this day and age, employment in small towns - and not so small towns - is increasingly hard to get.

Without the proper skills or training, a prospective captain-coach will not walk into a position that will be supplement their football salary.

Down the track, football clubs of all persuasions will all be scrimping to make ends meet - and survive.

Thank goodness the RLWC will be around when they are gone.