Australia vs New Zealand Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup | Final
by Alex Sarwar ·
Updated
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Australia are one step away from making history by winning their fourth straight Women’s Rugby League World Cup, while New Zealand are out to try and cause the mother of all shocks.
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: Chapman expected to be passed fit
Despite a hamstring scare in the semi-final, serial try-scorer Jaime Chapman has been named in the Jillaroos squad and should play here. However, Julia Robinson won’t be available after having dislocated her wrist in pool play.
Squad: Tamika Upton, Jaime Chapman, Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Abbi Church, Jesse Southwell, Tarryn Aiken, Millie Elliott, Olivia Higgins, Simaima Taufa, Tiana Penitani Gray, Shaylee Bent, Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Keilee Joseph, Kezie Apps, Sariah Paki, Sheridan Gallagher, Sarah Togatuki, Quincy Dodd, Jocelyn Kelleher, Ellie Johnston
New Zealand team news: Unchanged from Samoa triumph
The Kiwi Ferns aren’t planning to make any adjustments to the side who won in the semi-finals, with no players having been moved out of the squad after everyone came through their win over Samoa unscathed.
Squad: Apii Nicholls, Leianne Tufuga, Mele Hufanga, Stacey Waaka, Mackenzie Wiki, Chantay Kiria-Ratu, Raecene McGregor, Alexis Tauaneai, Georgia Hale, Otesa Pule, Shaniece Monschau, Kaiyah Atai, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, Ashleigh Quinlan, Annessa Biddle, Shannon Mato, Ivana Lauitiiti, Brooke Anderson, Zahara Temara, Brianna Clark, Abigail Roache, Tenika Willison
Who will win the 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup Final?
Open poll and resultsAustralia vs New Zealand prediction
Australia have been the gold standard in women's rugby league for many years now, and the three-time champions enter their fourth consecutive World Cup final as huge favourites. Every team they've faced so far this tournament, the Jillaroos have crushed, whether that be Samoa, England, Wales, who they racked up a whopping 124 points against in pool play, or semi-final opponents Fiji, whom Jess Skinner's side took care of in Sydney, winning 30-14, with Parramatta Eels’ Abbi Church scoring a hat-trick of tries.
Awaiting the hosts in Brisbane will be a familiar foe. New Zealand have been losing finalists in each of the last three World Cups, with Australia getting the better of them on each occasion. Indeed, the Kiwi Ferns have won only one of their last 12 Tests against Australia, with the power, precision and attacking potency of the Jillaroos simply proving too strong for their biggest rivals.
That's not expected to change in this latest showdown. This Aussie side is packed with experience, and the occasion certainly won't faze them. Another fast start is likely on the cards, and ultimately another big World Cup triumph for a Jillaroos team that will go down in the record books.
Australia vs New Zealand tip: Australia to win with -20.5 handicap
