Australia Beat New Zealand 32-12 to Win Fourth Straight Rugby League World Cup

Australia have done the double. Hours after the Jillaroos retained the women’s crown, the Kangaroos beat New Zealand 32-12 in the men’s Rugby League World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday night to win the trophy for a fourth straight tournament.

Winger Jack Bostock and second-rower Liam Martin each scored twice in a five-try performance. A crowd of 52,461 watched Australia take charge early and never lose control.

A disastrous start for the Kiwis

New Zealand’s problems began before a tackle had been made. Jamayne Isaako’s opening kick-off flew dead on the full, giving Australia a penalty at halfway.

The Kangaroos needed barely two minutes to score from it. Hooker Harry Grant dummied one way from the ruck and fed Martin, who drove over Kodi Nikorima to touch down. NRL.com called it the quickest try in World Cup history. Cameron Munster, not usually Australia’s first-choice goalkicker, converted for 6-0.

McLean replies, then Australia pull away

The Kiwis responded on 12 minutes. Casey McLean finished a move built by Isaiah Papali’i and Nikorima for his ninth try of the tournament. Isaako’s conversion lifted him to 227 Test points, passing Shaun Johnson’s 225 as New Zealand’s all-time record.

That was as close as it got. Bostock restored the lead midway through the half, gathering a tap-on from Bradman Best for his eighth try of the World Cup. A Munster penalty, after Ronaldo Mulitalo was pulled up for an escort, made it 12-6 on 23 minutes.

Best then turned the half. He chased down Kiwi halfback Jahrome Hughes from behind and knocked the ball loose near halfway, and in the very next set he stepped past Dane Gagai to score himself. It was 18-6.

New Zealand wasted a chance to reply when Erin Clark was held up on the last tackle 10 metres out. In the 38th minute Jacob Preston ripped the ball from Naufahu Whyte, and Martin finished the set off a short ball from Tom Dearden for his second try. Australia went in 24-6 up.

Walsh magic kills the contest

Any hope of a Kiwi fightback ended within two minutes of the restart. Gagai made an error, and fullback Reece Walsh slipped past three defenders before sending Tom Trbojevic over for 28-6.

New Zealand thought they had pulled one back with 22 minutes left when Mulitalo came down with a high ball over the line. Replays showed he had lost the ball in the air before regathering, and the try was not given. Papali’i did score in the 66th minute, following up a Nikorima grubber kick, and Isaako’s goal made it 28-12. Briton Nikora’s error straight from the restart ended the momentum.

Bostock had the final say. Best’s flick pass sent him in at the left corner for his second try and a 32-12 lead late on. He was named player of the match.

Tedesco’s farewell

There was a final moment for James Tedesco. Coach Kevin Walters sent the veteran fullback on with six minutes left. He captained Australia to the 2021 World Cup title, which was played in 2022, and this is expected to be his last Test.

“Well done, Kevvy,” Tedesco’s Roosters coach Trent Robinson said on the Seven broadcast.

Captain Isaah Yeo lifted the trophy about 100 days after rupturing a pectoral muscle, an injury that put his place in the final in doubt. Up front he, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Cameron Murray gave Australia control of the middle, which let Grant and Dearden take over.

An extended dynasty

Australia’s grip on the competition is now tighter than ever. The Kangaroos have won 23 World Cup matches in a row and four straight titles: in Manchester in 2013, Brisbane in 2017, Manchester again in 2022 and now Brisbane once more. New Zealand remain the last side to beat them in a final, back in 2008.

Sunday was a sweep for Australia. Earlier at the same ground, the Jillaroos beat the Kiwi Ferns 34-10 to win a fourth straight women’s title.

Sources: NRL.com match report by Martin Lenehan, Nine and Sydney Morning Herald coverage of the Rugby League World Cup final, Australia v New Zealand (November 15, 2026).