{"id":2200148,"date":"2026-10-15T11:23:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T08:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2200148"},"modified":"2026-10-15T11:23:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T08:23:58","slug":"rugby-league-world-cup-2026-australia-edge-new-zealand-in-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2200148","title":{"rendered":"Rugby League World Cup 2026: Australia edge New Zealand in opener"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/6f95\/live\/593307a0-c888-11f1-a2e8-f71844f8002e.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"ssrcss-2fe4mx-ArticleWrapper e1nh2i2l0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div data-block=\"headline\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<header data-testid=\"headline\">\n<h1 id=\"main-heading\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-8zqj65-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Australia edge New Zealand in epic World Cup opener<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-19v1kpx-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6f95\/live\/593307a0-c888-11f1-a2e8-f71844f8002e.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6f95\/live\/593307a0-c888-11f1-a2e8-f71844f8002e.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6f95\/live\/593307a0-c888-11f1-a2e8-f71844f8002e.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/6f95\/live\/593307a0-c888-11f1-a2e8-f71844f8002e.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6f95\/live\/593307a0-c888-11f1-a2e8-f71844f8002e.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/6f95\/live\/593307a0-c888-11f1-a2e8-f71844f8002e.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Dolphins winger Jack Bostock marked his Australia debut with a hat-trick of tries<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"byline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"single-byline\" class=\"ssrcss-sevsa1-ContributorContainer ee66fvo3\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dt4z-ContributorInfo ee66fvo0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">By<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-nsjd43-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Steve Sutcliffe<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dqo7s5-ContributorDetails ee66fvo2\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1m5444d-Text ee66fvo4\">BBC Sport journalist<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"metadata\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"metadata\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-10-15T11:23:58.360Z\">15 October 2026, 12:23 BST<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1ey53kj-MetadataSnippetWrapper exhp0uq0\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-10-15T11:32:50.991Z\">Updated 1 hour ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b>Australia<\/b> (10) <b>24<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b>Tries<\/b>:Bostock 3, Trbojevic, Walsh <b>Goals<\/b>:Walsh 2<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b>New Zealand<\/b> (10) <b>22<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b>Tries<\/b>:McLean, Ponga 2  <b>Goals<\/b>: Isaako 3 <b>Penalties<\/b>: Isaako 2<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b>Opening games of World Cups can often be cautious and reserved non-events. Someone forgot to tell Australia and New Zealand.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">This was as good as this sport gets. As good as any sport gets. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">These two old foes traded blows &#8211; in every sense &#8211; for 80 pulsating minutes in a game of staggering skill, brutal intensity and relentless drama.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">New Zealand&#8217;s formidable pack served up a mauling to Australia&#8217;s forwards for the majority of this opening match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup but the defending champions did what champions do and somehow chiselled out a victory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">This was scintillating international rugby league, with more than 40,000 fans &#8211; the biggest Test match crowd in Sydney for 50 years &#8211; witnessing the ultimate smash-and-grab victory by Kevin Walters&#8217; side. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Casey McLean&#8217;s stunning early try gave New Zealand the impetus and they were on top until the final five minutes, when Jack Bostock marked a stunning Kangaroos debut with his third try to decide an epic match. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Kangaroos were 6-0, 16-10 and 22-16 down &#8211; with the Kiwis pounding their line to go another score ahead &#8211; but late tries from Reece Walsh and then Bostock turned the match around.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Bostock&#8217;s dream debut &#8211; which included one interception try and two by winning aerial battles to claim spiralling Cameron Munster kicks &#8211; was one of many fascinating sub plots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Kalyn Ponga&#8217;s match-up against his Australia counterpart Walsh, arguably the sport&#8217;s biggest star, was another. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Kiwi full-back scored twice and looked to be coming out on top in their personal battle until Walsh conjured up a superb long-range try to lay the platform for the Kangaroos&#8217; last-gasp triumph. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Ponga left the field injured with a suspected broken arm prior to Munster and Bostock reprising their up-and-under show with less than five minutes on the clock and had his left arm in a sling at full time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Quite how new Queensland coach Darius Boyd selects between the star duo at Origin level next year is anyone&#8217;s guess. How do you separate arguably the two best full-backs in the game? <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">While Walsh&#8217;s superb tackle on Ponga prevented a try in the first-half, the Newcastle Knights man replied by dancing past his Australia counterpart on his way to the second of his tries. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But back came Walsh, delivering a stunning attacking riposte of his own eight minutes later to bring Australia to within two points at 20-22.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Ponga had been the beneficiary of New Zealand&#8217;s powerhouse pack getting on the front foot for the majority of the match.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">As a result, the dash and swagger exhibited by Australia in their Ashes triumph of 12 months ago was largely replaced through necessity by a staunch defence of their line.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Yet somehow, largely thanks to two errant New Zealand passes that allowed Bostock and Tom Trbojevic to race unopposed from distance to score &#8211; they were level at 10-10 at the break having been comprehensively outplayed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">When Trobojevic scored, only 18% of the game was played in New Zealand territory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The second half followed a similar script and as a result this will be a result New Zealand will find hard to stomach. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It was a game for the ages and while England and other side will hope to have their say, many will expect Australia will have to repeat this performance against New Zealand in the final on 15 November if they are to lift the trophy for a 13th time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"Matts-player-of-the-match-Reece-Walsh\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Matt&#8217;s player of the match &#8211; Reece Walsh<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pflr6j-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/cbff\/live\/94fbd390-c895-11f1-9a39-31b474234113.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/cbff\/live\/94fbd390-c895-11f1-9a39-31b474234113.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/cbff\/live\/94fbd390-c895-11f1-9a39-31b474234113.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/cbff\/live\/94fbd390-c895-11f1-9a39-31b474234113.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/cbff\/live\/94fbd390-c895-11f1-9a39-31b474234113.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/cbff\/live\/94fbd390-c895-11f1-9a39-31b474234113.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Reece Walsh was playing his first match since August, having recovered from an ankle injury<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"byline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"single-byline\" class=\"ssrcss-sevsa1-ContributorContainer ee66fvo3\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dt4z-ContributorInfo ee66fvo0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">By<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-nsjd43-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Matt Newsum<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dqo7s5-ContributorDetails ee66fvo2\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1m5444d-Text ee66fvo4\">BBC Sport Rugby League journalist<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">There were plenty of candidates for this &#8211; hat-trick hero Jack Bostock, Kiwi full-back Kalyn Ponga and his packmen James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Isaiah Papali&#8217;i, but if it is down to deciding moments then Reece Walsh had ample fingerprints on the victory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">There was a huge defensive effort on Ponga in the first-half when he guided his fellow full-back to the outside and then monstered him with a ball-and-all tackle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He then showed the fleetfooted magic in his game with a lightning break to torch the Kiwis and deliver a try that just tipped the balance in the Kangaroos&#8217; favour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Given his recent injury absence, Walsh&#8217;s calves and lungs were burning at times while a vomiting spout just outlined the lengths he was willing to go to help his team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Knowing you&#8217;ve got a matchwinner in the ranks helps Australia deal with being under the pump as they were on significant occasions in this, and Walsh delivered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"topicList\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"topic-list\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nj9heb-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pfbb52-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-w8zanw-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>Rugby League<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/rugby-league\/articles\/crn8w411gj1yo&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/6f95\/live\/593307a0-c888-11f1-a2e8-f71844f8002e.jpg&#8221;] Australia edge New Zealand in epic World Cup opener Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Dolphins winger Jack Bostock marked his Australia debut with a hat-trick of tries BySteve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist Published 15 October 2026, 12:23 BST Updated 1 hour ago Australia (10) 24 Tries:Bostock 3, Trbojevic, Walsh Goals:Walsh 2 New [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[35,226],"class_list":["post-2200148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-bbc-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2200148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2200148"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2200148\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2200148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2200148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2200148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}