Australia defeated New Zealand 24-22 in a Rugby League World Cup opening match in Sydney, featuring a hat-trick from Jack Bostock, a suspected broken arm for Kalyn Ponga, and an exhausted, vomiting display by Reece Walsh.
The 17th edition of the Rugby League World Cup began at the Sydney Football Stadium as Australia edged New Zealand 24-22. The tournament opener delivered intense physical drama, highlighted by a match-winning hat-trick from debutant Jack Bostock and a duel between fullbacks Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh.
Jack Bostock Secures Victory With a Hat-Trick for Australia
Australia’s victory rested heavily on the shoulders of winger Jack Bostock, whose three-try performance sealed the result. Bostock opened his account in the first half with a 90-metre intercept try, snatching a looping pass out of the air from Kiwi halfback Jahrome Hughes.
He struck again in the 57th minute, soaring to collect a pinpoint kick from five-eighth Cam Munster and beating Dolphins teammate Jamayne Isaako in the air to level the scores. With less than four minutes remaining and Australia trailing by two points, Munster launched another high kick. Though Isaako appeared positioned to make the catch, Bostock ripped the ball directly from his arms to score the match-winning try.
Reece Walsh Battles Illness and Kalyn Ponga Suffers a Suspected Broken Arm
The duel between opposing fullbacks lived up to its billing. Kalyn Ponga dazzled on the left side during the first half, scoring two tries including one 40-metre effort. However, Ponga’s night ended prematurely with a suspected broken arm after playing on for roughly 20 minutes following a collision with Cameron Munster.
On the other side, Reece Walsh returned from an eight-week absence due to an ankle injury. After executing a try-saver on Ponga in the first half—earning comparisons to Scott Sattler’s 2003 grand final tackle—Walsh scored a 60-metre try to keep the Kangaroos in the contest. The intense effort left the fullback physically depleted.
Walshy was very good tonight having not played for eight weeks… He’s cramping and vomiting and all sorts of things. He didn’t have the energy to kick the goal. He’s a chucker. People get nicknames and his nickname is ‘Chucker’.
Kevin Walters, Australia head coach
Walsh dry retched on the field and handed over kicking duties to Latrell Mitchell, but he managed to stay on the pitch to see out the victory. Australia captain Isaah Yeo, who delayed surgery on his injured pectoral muscle to play in the tournament, praised his teammate’s endurance.
For Reece to come back in a contest like that with some of those plays is a massive effort after not playing for eight weeks. It won’t get spoken about enough but it is really hard to do at this level.
Isaah Yeo, Australia captain
Kiwis Dominate Statistics as Casey McLean Defies Gravity
New Zealand controlled large portions of the match, dominating the first half with 59 per cent of the ball, gaining 300 more running metres, and recording 66 fewer tackles. The Kiwis also produced an early contender for try of the tournament just four minutes into the game. Following a towering bomb from Jahrome Hughes batted back by Ronaldo Mulitalo, Isaiah Papali’i threw a one-handed offload to Casey McLean on the blind side.
As Kangaroos halfback Mitchell Moses smothered him toward the touchline, McLean launched himself airborne, hovering horizontally over the sideline to ground the ball in the corner. ABC Sport expert Luke Lewis called the play one of the best finishes you will see in this game
.
Tournament Implications and Injury Concerns for New Zealand
The physical cost of the opener leaves New Zealand facing hurdles as the tournament continues. Coach Stacey Jones confirmed that Ponga would undergo medical scans to assess the severity of his injury. A confirmed absence for Ponga would deal a major setback to New Zealand’s campaign to claim a second World Cup title, 18 years after their first.
Meanwhile, Australia managed to survive a grueling opening night that also saw halfback Mitchell Moses leave the field following the break due to a calf issue. With medical evaluations pending for key personnel across both squads, the opening match has established a physical standard for the remainder of the 2026 tournament.
Keep reading
