Australia vs New Zealand Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup | Final
by Alex Sarwar ·
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After opening the tournament with a thrilling end-to-end encounter, Australia and New Zealand now close the Men’s Rugby League World Cup, with the Kangaroos looking to secure a ‘four-peat’ and become world champions for a historic 13th time.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – Premier Player
Tickets: Visit this link to access the latest 2026 Rugby League World Cup tickets
Australia team news: No risks taken
Australia won’t overcomplicate things heading into the final and have named an unchanged squad from the group who defeated Samoa in the last four. Cameron Murray has been named again and is now fully fit following a calf injury suffered in pool play.
Squad: Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock, Kotoni Staggs, Bradman Best, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Ethan Strange, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Latrell Mitchell, Sam Walker, Blayke Brailey, Lindsay Smith, James Tedesco
New Zealand team news: Ponga to be unleashed again
Superstar full-back Kalyn Ponga, who broke his arm when these two nations last collided, made his return in New Zealand’s semi-final victory over Tonga and is available again for the final. Also expected to play is Naufahu Whyte despite picking up an ankle injury last weekend.
Squad: Kalyn Ponga, Jamayne Isaako, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris, Jeremy Marshall-King, Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali'i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine, Te Maire Martin, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison, Keano Kini, Phoenix Crossland, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Scott Sorensen, Leo Thompson
Who will win the 2026 Men's Rugby League World Cup?
Open poll and resultsAustralia vs New Zealand prediction
Australia may be peaking at just the right time when taking into account the way they demolished Samoa in the semi-finals. The Kangaroos were utterly relentless from the start, racking up eight tries in a 44-12 victory. Brisbane Broncos’ star Reece Walsh showed off his incredible try-scoring ability by gaining a hat-trick, and he is one of many Aussie players New Zealand will have to find a way to contain in the final.
If the Kiwis are to win their second Men's Rugby League World Cup since 2008, they will need Kalyn Ponga to put on another incredible show. Before getting injured, Ponga was magnificent against Australia in their Pool A encounter on the opening night of this World Cup, and he didn't miss a beat on his return in the semi-final, as New Zealand overcame Tonga 34-10.
One worry for New Zealand will be them potentially running out of gas against an Aussie side who simply do not stop until the final hooter, which the Kiwis learned to their cost earlier in the competition. Ultimately, though, in big finals such as this, Australia so often winds up being the team who find a way to win. With Tom Trbojevic in their ranks, the Kangaroos are a major threat on every attack, and he boasts eight tries so far in this World Cup, including one against New Zealand. Back him to add to his tally in the final, with Australia ultimately doing enough to overcome their fiercest rivals once more.
Australia vs New Zealand tip: Australia to win and Tom Trbojevic to score a try anytime
