Australia vs New Zealand Rugby League World Cup Verdict
Rivals Australia and New Zealand get the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in a huge game and there's value on the Kiwis to cover with a +3.5 point start. A tight game also points to under 38.5 points.
Key Stats
- New Zealand won all three matches in their 2025 Pacific Championship campaign.
- The Kiwis defeated Australia 30-0 in the 2023 Pacific Championship final.
- Three of the last four meetings have finished under 38.5 points.
- Jamayne Isaako scored 23 tries in 26 NRL appearances in 2026.
- Ronaldo Mulitalo scored 13 tries in 17 games for Cronulla.
Head to Head
Australia have won three of the last four meetings, although New Zealand produced a stunning 30-0 victory in the 2023 Pacific Championship final.
Three of those four matches have finished under 38.5 points, with an average of 36.5 points per game.
Australia Kangaroos Form
Australia's most recent meeting with New Zealand ended in a 22-10 victory in October 2024, bouncing back from their heavy defeat in the 2023 Pacific Championship final.
Reece Walsh returns to competitive football after an ankle injury sidelined him in August, while Mitchell Moses takes the halfback jersey ahead of Sam Walker.
Tom Trbojevic scored eight tries in 14 NRL appearances in 2026, while debutant Jack Bostock crossed six times in 16 matches.
The Kangaroos retain plenty of experience through Harry Grant, Isaah Yeo and Cameron Murray, alongside the attacking threat of Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Munster.
New Zealand Kiwis Form
New Zealand won all three matches in their 2025 Pacific Championship campaign and have claimed four victories in their last five internationals.
Kalyn Ponga and Naufahu Whyte arrive fresh from the NRL Grand Final, while Jahrome Hughes returns to the international stage for the first time since 2023.
Jamayne Isaako scored 23 tries in 26 NRL appearances for the Dolphins, with Ronaldo Mulitalo adding 13 tries in 17 games for Cronulla.
Casey McLean has also impressed internationally, scoring seven tries in his first four Tests for the Kiwis.
Team News
Kevin Walters has selected Reece Walsh at fullback, with Cameron Munster and Mitchell Moses forming Australia's halves combination. James Tedesco and Sam Walker have been left outside the matchday 17.
New Zealand have named Kalyn Ponga at fullback for his Kiwis debut, with Jahrome Hughes returning alongside Kodi Nikorima in the halves.
Jamayne Isaako and Ronaldo Mulitalo start on the wings, while James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Joseph Tapine lead the forward pack.