Australia face New Zealand in men's Rugby League World Cup final in Brisbane
Australia and New Zealand meet in the 2026 men’s Rugby League World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with kick-off at 6.35pm local time (7.35pm AEDT / 8.35am BST). After 17 matches involving 10 nations across three countries, the Kangaroos and Kiwis contest the title in a rematch of the tournament opener five weeks earlier.
Kevin Walters has made one late change to the semi-final squad: James Tedesco starts at fullback in place of Latrell Mitchell, who was named earlier in the week but withdrawn on Saturday with illness. Walters had settled his main selections before the third pool match, and Australia have played at a steadily higher level since as players have grown into those roles.
New Zealand name the same starting XIII that faced Australia in the opening game. The only alteration is on the bench, where Phoenix Crossland, then serving a suspension, comes in for Keano Kini. Kini was on the interchange last week but drops out of the matchday squad as Ronaldo Mulitalo returns from suspension.
Continue in the app — vote & join in ➔