Australia prevail over New Zealand in dramatic World Cup opener in Sydney
Australia edged New Zealand in the opening match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Sydney on 15 October 2026, the defending champions prevailing after a late finish.
The contest drew more than 40,000 spectators, the biggest Test match crowd in Sydney for 50 years, and produced a high-tempo, physical encounter rather than the cautious openers sometimes seen at major tournaments. New Zealand's pack dominated possession and field position for much of the match, but Australia recovered to secure victory in the closing stages. Dolphins winger Jack Bostock marked his Australia debut with a hat-trick of tries, a decisive factor in the result.
Scoring details from the match: Tries — Bostock 3, Tom Trbojevic, Reece Walsh; Goals — Walsh 2. New Zealand: Tries — Casey McLean, Kalyn Ponga 2; Goals — Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Isaako 3; Penalties — Isaako 2.
Casey McLean scored an early try that put New Zealand on the front foot and the visitors led for most of the game, remaining ahead until the final five minutes when Bostock’s third try decided the contest. Despite being comprehensively outplayed for lengthy periods, Australia were level at 10-10 at half-time after two errant New Zealand passes allowed Bostock and Trbojevic to race unopposed from distance to score.
Bostock’s debut try haul included one interception and two tries won from aerial contests against spiralling Cameron Munster kicks, and he combined with Munster in a renewed up-and-under approach inside the closing five minutes. Kalyn Ponga scored twice for New Zealand but left the field injured with a suspected broken arm and was pictured with his left arm in a sling at full time.
The personal duel between Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh drew particular attention: Walsh produced a goal-line tackle on Ponga in the first half that prevented a try, while Ponga later beat Walsh on his way to a second score. Walsh answered with a long-range try and a separate lightning break, and the report notes Walsh worked through visible physical strain, including vomiting during the contest, after recent injury absence.
New Zealand’s forward pack featured strong performances from James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Isaiah Papali'i, repeatedly driving Australia’s forwards back through much of the match. Kevin Walters’ side withstood that pressure and managed to find late scores to open the tournament with a win.
Australia and New Zealand are scheduled to meet again on 15 November, a fixture the Kangaroos will likely need to match this level of resilience in if they are to progress in the competition.