 However , independent reviews have called into question the methodology of those growth estimates , pointing to factual inconsistencies . The event 's supposed drawing power outside of a handful of rugby strongholds was also downplayed significantly , with an estimated 97 percent of the 33 million average audience produced by the 2007 final coming from Australasia , South Africa , the British Isles and France . Other sports have been accused of exaggerating their television reach over the years ; such claims are not exclusive to the Rugby World Cup . 
