Rugby League World Cup Final Preview: Walsh and Ponga Lead the Teams for Australia v New Zealand at Suncorp
The Kangaroos meet the Kiwis in Brisbane on Sunday for a fourth straight title, with the women's final earlier in the day. Here are the named sides, the kick-off times and the road to the decider.
Thursday, November 12, 2026/2 min read
Three days before the Rugby League World Cup final, both sides are named and the picture is clear. Defending champions Australia, unbeaten in the tournament, meet New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November, with the men's kick-off at 6:35 p.m. local time (7:35 p.m. in Sydney and Melbourne), according to CompareTV.
The Kangaroos beat Samoa 44-12 in their semi-final on 8 November, with fullback Reece Walsh scoring a hat-trick, IBTimes Australia reported. New Zealand reached the decider by beating Tonga 34-10, with halfback Jahrome Hughes running the game, CompareTV said.
Who is in the Australia and New Zealand teams for the final?
The named sides, as listed by Zero Tackle on Tuesday, have Walsh at fullback for Australia, with Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic on the wings, Kotoni Staggs and Bradman Best in the centres, Cameron Munster at five-eighth and Tom Dearden at halfback. Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui form the front row and Isaah Yeo, the captain, plays lock. Latrell Mitchell is among the six interchange players.
New Zealand name Kalyn Ponga at fullback, Jamayne Isaako and Ronaldo Mulitalo on the wings, Dane Gagai and Casey McLean in the centres, and Kodi Nikorima and Hughes in the halves. James Fisher-Harris, Jeremy Marshall-King and Moses Leota start in the pack with Isaiah Papali'i, Briton Nikora and Joseph Tapine. CompareTV says Ponga returned 23 days after breaking his arm in the tournament opener, and he is again in the starting side.
How did the opening match between the two sides finish?
Australia won the opener 24-22 at Allianz Stadium on 15 October, with Bostock scoring three tries on debut and the clinching one in the 76th minute, according to NBC Sports. Ponga scored twice before leaving the field with a suspected broken left arm. The Kiwis led 22-16 on the hour and lost by two points.
Fisher-Harris said after that match the Kiwis had been right in the contest, NBC Sports noted. Kevin Walters coaches Australia and Stacey Jones New Zealand, CompareTV noted.
What time is the women's final and how can I watch?
The women's final, the Jillaroos against the Kiwi Ferns, kicks off at 4:10 p.m. AEDT, about three hours and 25 minutes before the men's match, and one ticket covers both games, per CompareTV. Seven and 7plus hold exclusive Australian rights, so the tournament is not on Kayo, Foxtel or Stan Sport. The Jillaroos reached the decider by beating Fiji 30-14 and the Kiwi Ferns by beating Samoa 32-0.
The first meeting was settled in the 76th minute, and a title is now at stake. Any late change to either list would come before Sunday's kick-off.
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