Sports · Other Sports · 13 hrs ago
Australia beat New Zealand 24-22 in Rugby League World Cup opener
Australia beat New Zealand 24-22 in a dramatic Rugby League World Cup opener in Sydney.
Debutant Jack Bostock scored three tries for the hosts, including one of two long-range first-half scores that kept Australia in the match.
New Zealand’s Kalyn Ponga scored twice and played strongly, but a broken arm rules him out of the tournament.
The match featured players representing countries linked to their family backgrounds, a practice allowed under new nation-swapping rules for this World Cup.
The tournament has been reduced from 16 teams and 31 matches to 10 teams and 18 matches.
Australia, winners of nine of the previous 10 Cups, survived a strong New Zealand challenge to open the tournament with a win.
The sources do not say what Australia or New Zealand will do next.
Australia beat New Zealand 24-22 in the Rugby League World Cup opener in Sydney.
Debutant Jack Bostock scored a hat-trick as Australia secured a late victory.
New Zealand fullback Kalyn Ponga scored two tries but broke his arm and will miss the rest of the tournament.
The match was played at Allianz Stadium before a sell-out crowd.
The tournament has 10 competing nations and 18 matches, down from 16 nations and 31 matches previously.
- Who
- Australia and New Zealand.
- What
- Australia beat New Zealand 24-22 in the Rugby League World Cup opener.
- When
- Thursday night; the articles were published on 15 October 2026.
- Where
- Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The teams faced each other in the Rugby League World Cup opener at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
New Zealand’s Casey McLean scored a try after an aerial twist.
Australia’s Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic each scored a try.
Kalyn Ponga scored his second try, and Reece Walsh scored for Australia.
Australia won 24-22.
- Final score
- Australia 24, New Zealand 22
- Venue
- Allianz Stadium, Sydney
- Australia try-scorer
- Jack Bostock scored three tries on his Test debut
- New Zealand try-scorer
- Kalyn Ponga scored two tries
- Tournament format
- 10 nations and 18 matches, down from 16 nations and 31 matches