Rugby League World Cup 2026 Finals Preview: Australia vs New Zealand Showdown
Australia and New Zealand will clash in finals for both men's and women's Rugby League World Cups this Sunday in Brisbane.
Exciting Finals Ahead for Rugby League World Cup 2026
The Rugby League World Cup 2026 is reaching its thrilling conclusion, with Australia and New Zealand set to meet in the finals for both the women's and men's tournaments this Sunday in Brisbane. A weekend of intense semi-finals has paved the way for what promises to be an unforgettable finale.
Broadcasting Details
Fans can catch all the action live and free on Channel 7, 7mate, and 7plus. The final week kicks off with wheelchair rugby league semi-finals on Tuesday, followed by the wheelchair final on Friday. The spotlight will then shift to the men's and women's finals at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Men's Rugby League World Cup Semi-Finals Recap
In an impressive return, Kalyn Ponga played a pivotal role for New Zealand less than a month after suffering a broken arm, helping his team secure a 34-10 victory over Tonga. This win guaranteed the Kiwis a spot in the men's final.
Australia showcased a dominant performance against Samoa, with Reece Walsh leading the charge by scoring three tries, resulting in a convincing 44-12 win that sent the Kangaroos through to the final.
Women's Rugby League World Cup Semi-Finals Recap
The women’s semi-finals were equally thrilling. New Zealand delivered a stellar performance, shutting out Samoa with a 32-0 scoreline. Stacey Waaka shone bright, scoring three tries to propel the Kiwi Ferns into the final.
The Jillaroos faced a tougher challenge against Fiji, with the first half ending in a stalemate at 8-8. However, Australia surged ahead in the second half thanks to four tries from Abbi Church, securing their place in another final against New Zealand.
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Highlights
In wheelchair rugby league, France dealt Australia its first loss of the tournament, defeating them 69-34 and finishing atop Pool B. England triumphed over Ireland with a score of 68-32, while Scotland celebrated its first World Cup victory in 13 years by overcoming New Zealand 62-18. Wales made a statement by scoring 17 tries to annihilate the United States 92-18.
Upcoming Wheelchair Semi-Finals
- France vs Ireland
- England vs Australia
Jelisa Apps will host both semi-finals scheduled for Tuesday, November 10.
Wheelchair Final
The wheelchair final is set for Friday, November 13, featuring hosts Katie Brown, Brad Grove, Kyle Amor, and Jono Farr calling the match.
Women's Final Coverage
The final clash between Australia and New Zealand will be in the spotlight on Sunday afternoon, with hosts Matt Shirvington, Matt White, and Mel McLaughlin leading the coverage. The match commentary will be managed by Andrew Voss, Emma Verran, and Brett Kimmorley, while analysis will include insights from Corey Parker and Ali Brigginshaw.
Men's Final Coverage
As for the men's showdown, Mel McLaughlin, Matt White, and Matt Shirvington will also host this significant match. The commentary team will include Andrew Voss, Luke Keary, and Trent Robinson, while Shaun Johnson provides sideline reports alongside experts Corey Parker, Jelisa Apps, and Peter Badel offering analysis.
Don’t miss any of the action as the Rugby League World Cup 2026 reaches its climax, and catch all the live coverage on 7plus Sport.