Rugby League World Cup 2026: Australia Edge New Zealand in Epic Opener
BBC Sport
BBC Homepage
Skip to content
Accessibility Help
Your account
Home
News
Sport
Earth
Reel
Worklife
Travel
Culture
Future
Music
TV
Weather
Sounds
More menu
More menu
Search BBC
BBC Sport
Menu
Home
Football
Cricket
Formula 1
Rugby U
Tennis
Golf
Cycling
Athletics
More
A-Z Sports
- American Football
- Athletics
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Cricket
- Cycling
- Darts
- Disability Sport
- Football
- Formula 1
- Gaelic Games
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Horse Racing
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Motorsport
- Netball
- Rugby League
- Rugby Union
- Snooker
- Swimming
- Tennis
Full Sports A-Z
More from Sport
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Quizzes
News Feeds
Help & FAQs
Rugby League
Scores & Fixtures
Tables
All Teams
Australia 10 🆑 24
- Tries: Bostock 3, Trbojevic, Walsh
- Goals: Walsh 2
New Zealand 10 🆚 22
- Tries: McLean, Ponga 2
- Goals: Isaako 3
- Penalties: Isaako 2
Australia (10) fought back from a mauling at the hands of New Zealand's powerful pack to win a thrilling opening match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
By Steve Sutcliffe, BBC Sport journalist
Published 15 October 2026, 12:23 BST
Updated 6 minutes ago
Australia underlined why they are favourites for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup with a stunning comeback victory over New Zealand.
More than 40,000 fans witnessed a match that featured:
- Jack Bostock's sensational debut, scoring a hat-trick.
- Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh's fascinating battle.
- Ponga's injury, leaving his future in doubt.
Matt Newsum, BBC Sport Rugby League journalist, named Reece Walsh as his player of the match.
- Walsh made key tackles and crucial breaks.
- He guided Australia to victory with a long-range try.
- His effort was crucial in securing a dramatic win.