Bostock hat-trick rescues Australia 24-22 over New Zealand in Rugby League World Cup opener in Sydney
Australia edged New Zealand 24-22 in the Rugby League World Cup opener in Sydney on 15 October 2026, with Dolphins debutant Jack Bostock scoring three tries and providing a key assist.
The result came in Pool A on the tournament's first night, played in a chilly, wet Sydney evening, and hinged on a late aerial contest when Bostock wrestled a Cameron Munster kick away from Jamayne Isaako with five minutes remaining to complete his treble. Bostock’s first try was an intercept taken the length of the field midway through the opening half, and he described his haul as "lucky" and that the night was a "dream come true". "Doing it in the fashion we did was pretty cool," he told Channel Seven.
New Zealand’s pack dominated the early phases and Kalyn Ponga emerged as their standout, scoring two tries despite a painful arm injury that later forced his exit. Ponga’s second score came after he brushed off Cameron Munster, stepped around Reece Walsh and crossed with his shorts slipping; the Kiwis led through sustained field position and strong ball-carrying.
Australia responded through a late flurry initiated by Bostock’s playmaking; in the 68th minute Bostock’s flick pass produced a half break that allowed Walsh to sweep home in the corner after forcing a collision involving Jahrome Hughes and Ponga. Reece Walsh praised his team-mate, saying: "Bossy [Bostock] was crazy tonight, and without him making big plays, we wouldn’t be in the position that we were." Bostock’s aerial contest to secure the winning lead followed that sequence.
The opening try of the match came from New Zealand centre Casey McLean, who finished a move that began with a Hughes bomb aimed at Tom Trbojevic; Ronaldo Mulitalo intercepted the falling ball, batted it back to Isaiah Papali’i and McLean touched down. The report noted McLean’s try as a vindication of the State of Origin eligibility changes that allowed him to play for another nation.
Australia struggled for territory early, their attacking field position limited until about the 15-minute mark when a Harry Grant knock-on, confirmed by the video referee, halted a promising set; the article adds that Grant "is considering testing the market next month." A later handling error by Australia and a chase infringement that saw Kotoni Staggs grab Kodi Nikorima resulted in a sin bin and two points that levelled the scores at half-time.
Match statistics underlined New Zealand’s control of the first period with the Kiwis running for more than 1,000 metres — roughly 300 more than Australia — and averaging 49 metres per set to Australia’s 37; tackles were recorded at 195 by Australia and 129 by New Zealand. The second half was more even, but New Zealand missed several chances as Bostock, Walsh and Munster combined to push the hosts over the line.
Ponga’s late exit with an arm injury will be a concern given the final — and a likely rematch against the Kangaroos — is less than a month away.