Australia and New Zealand will meet in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup Final for the second consecutive tournament, with both nations chasing a fourth world title. The Jillaroos have been the dominant force in the women’s game for over a decade, while the Kiwi Ferns have quietly built momentum throughout the tournament and arrive at Suncorp Stadium having conceded just 16 points in four matches.
History favours Australia, which has won 11 of the past 12 meetings between the two rivals, including a commanding victory in the 2022 World Cup Final. However, New Zealand knows what it takes to win on the biggest stage and will be aiming to spoil Australia’s bid for a fourth straight title.
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Women’s Rugby League World Cup Final
- Australia vs New Zealand → australia-vs-new-zealand-womens-rlwc-final-preview-2026
Men’s Rugby League World Cup Final
- Australia vs New Zealand → australia-vs-new-zealand-rlwc-final-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Sunday, November 15, 4:10pm AEDT at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Belinda Sharpe | Senior Review Official: Todd Smith
Australia: 1. Tamika Upton, 2. Jaime Chapman, 3. Jessica Sergis, 4. Isabelle Kelly, 5. Abbi Church, 6. Jesse Southwell, 7. Tarryn Aiken, 8. Millie Elliott, 9. Olivia Higgins, 10. Simaima Taufa, 11. Tiana Penitani Gray, 12. Shaylee Bent, 13. Olivia Kernick, 14. Keeley Nizza, 15. Keilee Joseph, 16. Kezie Apps, 17. Sariah Paki, 18. Sheridan Gallagher, R. Sarah Togatuki, R. Quincy Dodd, R. Jocelyn Kelleher, R. 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, 8. Alexis Tauaneai, 9. Georgia Hale, 10. Otesa Pule, 11. Shaniece Monschau, 12. Kaiyah Atai, 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, 14. Ashleigh Quinlan, 15. Annessa Biddle, 16. Shannon Mato, 17. Ivana Lauitiiti, 18. Brooke Anderson, R. Zahara Temara, R. Brianna Clark, R. Abigail Roache, R. Tenika Willison
Match Preview
Australia have made one change to their squad going into their fourth straight World Cup Final. Jesse Southwell comes back into the squad at five-eighth, replacing Jocelyn Kelleher, who drops down to the reserves. There are seven members of the 2022 World Cup-winning side that have kept their places: Jess Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Tarryn Aiken, Keeley Nizza, Kezie Apps, Simaima Taufa, and Shaylee Bent.
New Zealand have kept the same 17 that beat Samoa on Saturday and they have kept six players from the 2022 World Cup Final: Apii Nicholls, Mele Hufanga, Raecene McGregor, Brianna Clark, Abigail Roache, and Otesa Pule.
Both sides have won three World Cup titles and both have won three in a row. New Zealand won the competition in 2000, 2003, and 2008 and Australia won in 2013, 2017, and 2022.
Australia have won the last four fixtures between the two and have won 11 of the last 12 meetings. In the last four meetings, New Zealand have scored 16 points and Australia have scored 88 points in response.
The 2022 World Cup Final wasn’t much of a contest as the Green and Gold brushed past the Kiwi Ferns 54-4. Australia led 20-0 at half-time and never looked threatened.
Unfortunately, this game won’t be any different, and Australia should claim their fourth World Cup title in a row. Hopefully it will be a closer contest, but I’m afraid it is over before it has begun.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Australia by 36.
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