Holders Australia proved why they’re the reigning champions as they edged New Zealand in a thrilling opening game of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

Despite being second-best for the majority of the 80 minutes, it was the Kangaroos who came out on top as they won 24-22 thanks to a hat-trick from debutant Jack Bostock and an incredible Reece Walsh try.

Walsh, who was a standout in the first Ashes Test last year, also made a try-saving tackle on opposite number Kalyn Ponga, who himself starred for the Kiwis before succumbing to a reported broken arm.

Ponga had scored a brace in what was his first game for New Zealand and it looked like his and his teammates’ efforts were enough to secure a famous win, however, Australia persisted and came through to win a thriller to open up the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

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It was New Zealand who opened the scoring as they got off to a fast start thanks to 20-year-old Casey McLean, who scored his ninth try in just five appearances for the national team, with the centre finishing acrobatically despite the best efforts of defender Mitchell Moses.

New Zealand continued to assert themselves for the opening 20 minutes but it was in one of their own phases of attack that Australia landed their first blow, as Jack Bostock intercepted Jahrome Hughes’ pass to run 90 metres and score on his Kangaroos debut.

The Kiwis got back on track and kept turning the screw, forcing a goal line drop out which was then kicked out on the full, leaving Jamayne Isaako a penalty from in front of the sticks to make it 8-4 and keep the scoreboard ticking.

New Zealand were again punished by an intercept but this time it came on the other wing as Tom Trbojevic picked off Casey McLean’s pass to go the distance, just as Jack Bostock had done 12 minutes earlier. Reece Walsh’s conversion handed the hosts a lead but Australia would soon go down to 12 as Kotoni Staggs was sent to the sin bin for pulling back Kodi Nikorima. New Zealand kicked the resulting penalty to level the scores at 10-10 heading into the half.

The second-half continued as in the first half with New Zealand on top but this time they managed to utilise that pressure as Kayln Ponga crossing over to make it 16-10. New Zealand thought they’d extended their lead but Ronaldo Mulitalo’s try was ruled out and in a cruel sucker punch, Australia scored one of their own immediately after as Jack Bostock bagged his second just before the hour mark to again level the scores.

Kalyn Ponga’s sensational debut continued as he crossed over to make it 22-16, however, his opposite number Reece Walsh went and one-upped him with an even better try. The Brisbane full-back rounded Ponga and Hughes to run the distance but Latrell Mitchell’s missed conversion left the Kiwis leading 22-20 with ten minutes to play.

Jack Bostock rounded off his incredible debut for the Kangaroos by completing his hat-trick in the 75th minute as the Australians took the lead and proved that the very best teams don’t have to play at their best to win.

Australia: 24

Tries: Jack Bostock (20, 56, 75), Tom Trbojevic (32), Reece Walsh (68), Goals: Reece Walsh 2/4, Latrell Mitchell 0/1

Australia XIII: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c)

Interchanges: 14. Tom Dearden 15. Cameron Murray 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Keaon Koloamatangi 18. David Fifita 19. Bradman Best

New Zealand: 22

Tries: Casey McLean (4), Kayln Ponga (47, 59), Goals: Jamayne Isaako 5/5

New Zealand XIII: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Dane Gagai 4. Casey McLean 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. James Fisher-Harris (c) 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Moses Leota 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Briton Nikora 13. Joseph Tapine

Interchanges: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Erin Clark 17. Xavier Willison 18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 19. Keano Kini

WHAT A GAME 🤯

#RLWC26 https://t.co/CVapJ3lBuH

— Rugby League World Cup 2026 (@rugbyleaguewcup) October 15, 2026

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