Sports

Australia 24-22 New Zealand: men’s Rugby League World Cup – as it happened

The Guardian Australia - Sport · 15 October 2026 at 10:33 pm

Australia 24-22 New Zealand: men’s Rugby League World Cup – as it happened

Updates as the Kangaroos and Kiwis open the tournament in Sydney Kick-off time is 8.05pm AEDT/10.05pm NZDT/10.05am BST Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of the opening match of the 2026 men’s Rugby League World Cup.

It’s the two favourites to kick us off with Australia meeting New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Sydney from 8.05pm local time (10.05am BST / 10.05pm NZDT).

Skills have never been sharper, play has never been faster, and the strength in depth of Super League and the NRL makes for compelling sport on a weekly basis.

The Vegas experiment has come up trumps.

Expansion into Papua New Guinea is imminent.

By almost every metric rugby league is flying.

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Australia 24-22 New Zealand: men’s Rugby League World Cup – as it happened

This story in other outlets

Rugby League World Cup live: Bostock, Walsh star as Australia beat New Zealand 24-22

Rookie bags three tries as Australia and New Zealand deliver World Cup classic opener

Rugby League World Cup: Australia edge New Zealand 24-22 in thrilling start to tournament

Less can be more for Rugby League World Cup

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