We have reached the finals of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with the four best teams left to fight it out for the men's and women's titles.
Can New Zealand upset Australia's dominance in both games?
Sunday, November 15
Women's
Australia vs. New Zealand
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 4:10pm (AEDT)
Australia: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Jaime Chapman 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly (c) 5. Abbi Church 6. Jesse Southwell 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Simaima Taufa 11. Tiana Penitani 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Olivia Kernick Bench: 14. Keeley Nizza 15. Keilee Joseph 16. Kezie Apps 17. Sariah Paki Reserves: 18. Sheridan Gallagher 19. Sarah Togatuki 20. Quincy Dodd 21. Jocelyn Kelleher 22. Ellie Johnston
New Zealand: 1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor (c) 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale (c) 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 14. Ash Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison
Officials
Referee: Belinda Sharpe Touchies: Karra-Lee Nolan, Tara Jones
Bunker: Todd Smith
Prediction: Australia started slowly against Fiji last week, trailing 8-0 in the first half as they faced an onslaught of hard hitting, hard running forwards. After weathering the storm they started putting their attack together, finding weaknesses in the Fiji defence and letting Abi Church cut loose. Eventually they proved to be too good for Fiji, who were unable to maintain the intensity over the full journey.
New Zealand were completely dominant in their defeat of Samoa, running in 32 unanswered points. Stacey Waaka scored a hat trick which showcased her elusiveness and pure speed out wide. In defence the Kiwis Ferns smothered any attempt by Samoa to unleash their backline. Up the middle New Zealand carved a path to allow their halves the space to take control.
The Kiwi Ferns will have to do all of that and more, if they are to threaten the Jillaroos' dominance. There is something inevitable about the Australians, across the park are stars of the game and at fullback one of the finest in Tamika Upton. They can be put on the back foot momentarily, but eventually the machine fires up and proves all but unstoppable.
Tip: Australia by 24
PointsBet odds: Australia $1.08 New Zealand $8
Men's
Australia vs. New Zealand
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Australia: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c) Bench: 14. Ethan Strange 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 16. Cameron Murray 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Latrell Mitchell 19. Sam Walker Reserves: 20. Blayke Brailey 21. Lindsay Smith 22. James Tedesco
New Zealand: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Dane Gagai 4. Casey McLean 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. James Fisher-Harris (c) 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Moses Leota 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Briton Nikora 13. Joseph Tapine Bench: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Erin Clark 17. Xavier Willison 18. Keano Kini 19. Phoenix Crossland Reserves: 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 21. Scott Sorensen 22. Leo Thompson
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Matt Noyen, Tyson Brough
Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
Prediction: The final that everyone expected sees a clash of two teams who have improved markedly through the tournament. Australia had its best game last week against Samoa with everything coming together in both attack and defence. Some of the set plays were masterpieces of deception and execution.
The first try to Tom Dearden came from a scrum 10 metres out, and 10 metres in from the left sideline, with Australia setting up a complex array of backline threats to the right. The Samoan defence seemed so mesmerised by what was in front of them, that the last thing they expected was a dummy and a step of his right foot to see halfback Dearden clean through. As the game progressed those backline threats were put to work in similar patterns and Samoa had very few answers.
Kevin Walters has settled on Reece Walsh at fullback and although he had a mixed game defensively against Samoa, his attacking spark was undeniable. Cameron Munster was inspirational in directing the team, and taking the hard hits when plays broke down. The much-maligned forward pack really stood up, with Pat Carrigan much more effective coming off the bench and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui having his best game of the tournament.
In the back row, Liam Martin, Jacob Preston and captain Isaah Yeo were among the best players on the field. Cameron Murray provided plenty of spark when he came on and Harry Grant had the kind of quiet game which can only mean he has a blinder up his sleeve for the final. The Australian forwards will have to be at their very best to overcome the Kiwis.
Last week New Zealand welcomed Kalyn Ponga back after his three-week recovery from a broken arm, and he was masterful in dismantling the Tongan defence. He and Jahrome Hughes were a class above and will be a constant threat to the Australians, particularly if they are playing behind a dominant pack.
James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Naufahu Whyte are three wrecking balls, and together they had Australia on the back foot for most of the night in the opening game of the tournament. Australia were only able to win that one thanks to an intercept try and some aerial work by Jack Bostock. New Zealand have improved enough with the ball to take better advantage of any forward momentum in the final.
This should be a cracking final, with both teams peaking at the right time. My head is suggesting that the Kiwis will be too strong, but my heart is saying Australia always seem to get the job done.
Tip: Australia by 8
PointsBet odds: Australia $1.62 (-2.5 $1.86) New Zealand $2.20 (+2.5 $1.86)
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.