France took to RL c 1934 and by the outbreak of WW II, were a top international team. That couldn't happen today. Looking at some of the rules (many before my time) showed what a different game it was. I'm not a rules nerd but try to keep up. So as I see it:
After the war the game had zero to five yard defensive lines, depending on rule changes over time. No replacements became two for injuries. There was no limit on tackles, you only lost possession for rule breaches. The game was slower, the impacts less intense.
Over the years ten metre defensive lines, limited tackle, four rotating replacements, six again calls. The game is super fast, players need to be fit, muscled and think very quickly. It works in a pro comp but doesn't work when sides are mismatched as evidenced in WC internationals. Pitting full time athletes against part time and amateur players is producing one sided score lines and few if any upsets.
The solution: In horse racing they have a handicap system but I can't see that being adopted in RL. So I'd propose two WC divisions, each of eight teams with promotion / relegation between them. Putting Jamaica up against NZ or Greece against Samoa isn't right.
Summary: RL rules have evolved over time to suit a pro comp. They are then used in internationals but they are not designed for such uneven playing rosters. Even a moderate difference in standard can quickly blow out a to huge, lopsided score line. The WC was once played by fewer sides with closer matches. The desire to bring more teams in like other codes is good, but it doesn't work in a game which rewards superiority to an extreme degree.
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