AP – Australia will open their Rugby League World Cup campaign against England at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in October 2013.

The Kangaroos played in Wales last year during the Four Nations campaign at Wrexham’s modest Racecourse Ground, but will face the co-hosts at the 80,000-seat state-of-the-art venue in the Welsh capital.

Australia’s second match will be against Fiji at St Helens’ new Langtree Park before Tim Sheens’ side close out their Group A matches against Ireland at Thomond Park rugby stadium.

That was the scene of the Wallabies’ shock loss to Munster in atrocious conditions during the 2010 spring tour.

However, mystery still surrounds the location of the semi-finals and final, but Wembley Stadium is believed to be the likely location for both last-four matches.

Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium is favourite to host the decider, as it did when the Kangaroos won the 2000 competition.

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and tournament chairman Richard Lewis on Thursday announced 19 of the venues across England, Wales, Ireland and France for all but three of the tournament’s 28 matches.

“We’re delighted that Wales will join our neighbours England in hosting the Rugby League World Cup final this year,” said Jones.

“It’s wonderful that our capital city, Cardiff, will host participating countries before the tournament — the only time these nations will all unite during the World Cup.”

Holders New Zealand will play group B games in Warrington and Leeds, two of English rugby league’s traditional northern heartlands, as well as one of two fixtures in France.

Quarter-finals are due to take place at Wrexham, Wigan, Headingley – the home of world club champions Leeds – and Warrington.