Rugby League World Cup boss Andrew Hill says Andrew Fifita's high-profile defection from Australia to Tonga shouldn't stop him from playing State of Origin next year.

Hill adds Canberra's set to reap the rewards of the rule change that allowed Fifita to jump off the Kangaroos ship, with the "most recognised rugby league player in the world" Jarryd Hayne to go head-to-head with the Rugby League Players Association player-of-the-year James Tedesco.

The World Cup chief executive was reaping the benefits of Fifita's and Jason Taumalolo's defections with ticket sales for Tonga games some of the strongest for the tournament.

Hill said the Cronulla and North Queensland forwards respectively had chosen to represent their heritage for the 2017 World Cup.

But he said that shouldn't stop either of them from pulling on the jerseys from teams they've played for in the past.

That included Fifita being part of the NSW Blues' Origin campaign next year.

"We've created rule changes to allow players to make the choice. Andrew Fifita in this case has said he would like to represent his heritage and his family in this tournament, but that shouldn't rule him out for future representation in Australia or Origin," Hill told Fairfax Media on Wednesday.

"That's why the rule has been introduced so it doesn't rule them out."

Hill encouraged Canberrans to get behind the three games at Canberra Stadium, for which he said ticket sales had been "strong".

He said big crowds would help their cause for not only future events in Canberra, but also for stadium improvements.

The soccer Asian Cup in 2015 saw huge numbers of expat populations travel from Sydney for games and Hill thought a similar thing could happen for the Rugby League World Cup - especially the Lebanese community.

Lebanon plays France, then France takes on the Kangaroos before Fiji and Italy face off in the final game at Canberra Stadium for the tournament.

Not only could the Italy-Fiji game shape as a farewell for former Canberra Raiders captain Terry Campese, but it will also pit Hayne and Tedesco against each other.

"This is what a World Cup's about, it's not just about the sport of rugby league, it's about celebrating culture and heritage and community," Hill said.

"The opportunity Canberra has is to show the rest of Australia and the world that Canberra loves their sport and will support sport when a significant event like the Rugby League World Cup comes to town."

RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP at Canberra Stadium

October 29: France v Lebanon, 4pm.

November 3: Australia v France, 8pm.

November 10: Fiji v Italy, 7.40pm.

Tickets available from Ticketek. Adults from $20, concession from $10 and family of four from $45.