Australia and New Zealand kicked the 2026 Rugby League World Cup off in spectacular style in Sydney, producing one of the great Test matches. Origin-like intensity, drama and quality, laced with huge moments. But ultimately the Kiwis will be ruing a 24-22 loss after dictating the majority of the contest, while a potential tournament-ending injury could have a catastrophic impact on their title hopes.
The Kiwis were relentless from the outset and grabbed a sensational early try through Casey McLean. But despite utter physical dominance throughout the first half, the teams went to the sheds 10-all thanks to two coast-to-coast intercept tries to the Kangaroos.
The momentum swung back somewhat in the second stanza as errors crept into the visitors’ game, but the Kiwis twice pushed out to six-point leads via tries to magnificent international debutant Kalyn Ponga — the second a mind-blowing solo effort.
But with the fullback eventually succumbing to an arm injury and a couple of crucial missteps counting against New Zealand, Australia finished with a wet sail. Reece Walsh squared the ledger in his absorbing duel with Ponga by scoring a scorching 70-metre try, before wing newcomer Jack Bostock climbed over Dolphins clubmate Jamayne Isaako for the second time to snatch the 76th-minute match-winner.
The Kiwis had 52 percent possession, made almost 300 more run metres as their forward pack lived up to the pre-game hype, and they finished with five line-breaks to one. There were myriad positives to take out of the performance that would otherwise shift the tournament favouritism needed towards Stacey Jones’ side.
But failing to get the job done when they were in the box seat and being unable to convert their overwhelming ascendancy into points against the reeling world champs may foster some mental demons.
Meanwhile, the sight of Ponga in a sling — with a fracture suspected — arguably dents their chances of lifting the Paul Barrière Trophy more than the positives of the night enhanced them.
Here’s your first edition of Rugby League World Cup Kingz Container Crew player ratings.
1 KALYN PONGA: Perhaps the greatest Kiwis debut of all time and the most exhilarating individual performance in the black-and-white jersey since Shaun Johnson tore up the 2014 Four Nations. Looked dangerous from his first touch, made a searing first-half line-break and kept the Kangaroos on their toes with his ball-playing. His support play netted the first try of the second half, while that vintage solo effort on the hour mark will be replayed ad nauseum for decades. Still finished with a game-high 253 metres despite leaving the field with 10 minutes left…but will that be his last on-field contribution in this tournament? 9
2 JAMAYNE ISAAKO: Dutifully made his yardage carries (15 runs for 139 metres) and didn’t do a lot wrong — the handling error that the Bunker refused to overturn was highly dubious — but got few chances to shine. Meanwhile, he was schooled in the air by lanky clubmate Bostock for two second-half tries that effectively decided the result. 6
3 DANE GAGAI: A solid display from the oldest Kiwis debutant since 1910, though he was burgled one-on-one by Bostock in the first half and had another handling error. Had 13 runs for 122 metres but New Zealand’s attack concentrated on the left side. Kept Latrell Mitchell in check in a big defensive shift, making 26 tackles. 7
4 CASEY McLEAN: Astounding early try and overcame a shoulder problem from that airborne effort to tear the Kangaroos apart on several other occasions, making a second-half line-break and racking up seven tackle-breaks along with 14 runs for 175 metres. Not quite perfect with an intercept pass for Trbojevic’s try and another loose speculator after a long run that didn’t need to be thrown, plus a couple of handling errors. Very sound defensively. A special player. 8
5 RONALDO MULITALO: A memorable night for the abrasive Sharks flyer. His aerial ability set up McLean’s try, he had two line-break assists to go with 14 runs for 178 metres and seven tackle-breaks, and a big night on D was highlighted by a couple of crunching tackles on Kotoni Staggs. Built for this arena. 8
6 KODI NIKORIMA: A fairly conservative first half included a forced line dropout with a clever grubber, while he offered more spark after the break and had a key hand in Ponga’s first try. Had a line-break assist, 10 runs for 75 metres and made 21 tackles, standing up impressively after typically having plenty of traffic sent his way. 6.5
7 JAHROME HUGHES: First-half kicking game was particularly good, setting up the early try and keeping the Kangaroos hemmed down their end. Organisation and control got a bit ragged after the break, while a terrible kick that gave away a seven-tackle set late in the game proved disastrous. Nine runs for 92 metres and 15 tackles with five misses, plus a high tackle penalty. Great to see him back for the first time since 2023 but he’d like to redo that second half. 6
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Barnstorming first stint and finished the night with 142 metres on 13 carries, along with 25 tackles. A play-the-ball gaffe in the second half was a regrettable moment. 7.5
9 JEREMY MARSHALL-KING: Played the full 80 minutes — something of a rarity for JMK in 2026 — and was decent, but lacked a bit of zip with his running game never really getting going. Topped the tackle count with 40…but where was he when the Kiwis didn’t have a dummy-half on the last in the dying minutes?! 5.5
10 MOSES LEOTA: Justified his contentious retention in the starting side with an authoritative opening stint, popping a couple of good offloads, shortening up some Aussie ball-runners and making some strong charges. Less noticeable when he returned in the second half. Ten runs for 76 metres and 15 tackles. 7
11 ISAIAH PAPALI’I: A man-of-the-match contender with arguably his best display at Test level. Threw the last pass for two tries among six offloads for the night, made 125 metres from a game-high 19 runs, reeled off 37 tackles without a miss and superbly defused a bomb in-goal during the second half. A couple of penalties and a ruck infringement conceded were the only marks against the ex-Warrior’s name. 8.5
12 BRITON NIKORA: Ran some nice lines and looked dangerous without getting a highlight reel moment. Ten runs for 73 metres, 25 tackles with five misses, an error and a penalty. 6
13 JOSEPH TAPINE: Looked a cut above the Kangaroos during a rousing opening stint, playing a big role in Kiwis’ early dominance. Finished with 108 metres on 14 runs and 23 tackles in 39 minutes — perhaps not enough gametime for a player of his quality and leadership. Gallant chase on a runaway Walsh saved two points. 8
15 NAUFAHU WHYTE: This guy is operating on another Haas-like plane. An absolute monster with 13 runs for 160 metres (70 post-contact) in 43 minutes, as well as 15 tackles. Despite Leota’s solid showing, there’s still a case to be made for Whyte to start in the big games, such is his current level. 8
16 ERIN CLARK: A hand in Ponga’s first try in a handy ball-playing shift, 26 tackles without a miss, but only seven runs for 65 metres in 39 metres. Did nothing wrong but perhaps could have stood out more. 6.5
17 XAVIER WILLISON: Especially strong running the ball with 74 metres on seven carries in just 28 minutes, though a handling error was a rough moment. Overall enhanced his claims for a spot in a first-choice 17 despite a host of strong contenders. 7
19 KEANO KINI: Pitched into the action for the last 10 minutes and did everything he could to spark things from the back, making 56 metres from five runs. Could now have a massive role to play in the tournament. 6