Kiwis’ forward pack holds key to World Cup opening clash against Australia, expert says

New Zealand’s forward pack could be the difference when the Kiwis meet Australia in Thursday night’s Rugby League World Cup opener.

Pacific Huddle host Tuilagi William Leolahi is backing the visitors to challenge the reigning champions.

The Kiwis face the Kangaroos at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium in a match that will offer an early test of both teams’ title hopes.

Leolahi says the Kangaroos deserve respect as defending champions but believes New Zealand has the talent to match them, particularly through the middle.

“For me right now, I think the Kiwis can really do a job on them,” Tuilagi told William Terite on Pacific Mornings. “Absolutely. They’ve got plenty of talent across the Kiwi side. I mean, they’re posing one of the best forward packs ever to go to a Rugby League World Cup.”

At a media briefing, captain James Fisher-Harris, who will lead New Zealand into the tournament, says the squad’s connection is helping build confidence ahead of the opening test.

Listen to Tuilagi William Leolahi break it down for us below.

“The boys just can’t stop smiling, just that connection we have with each other.

The Kiwis have brought together experienced campaigners and new faces, including veteran outside back Dane Gagai. Fisher-Harris says the new arrivals have settled into the group as they prepare for the tournament.

“I think it’s a sense of belonging,” he says of players choosing to represent New Zealand. “I’ll let them talk about it, but I think it’s a lot to do with their whakapapa and roots and things like that. It’s just been a sense of calling to them.”

Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris says the squad’s strong bond is helping build confidence ahead of the World Cup opener against Australia. Photo/AAP/Robbie Stephenson/Photosport

Building combinations before the big test

Halfback Kodi Nikorima knows the scale of the challenge awaiting New Zealand.

“They’re the reigning champs, world number one, and it’s going to be a good test for us,” he says.

Nikorima says the team is concentrating on its own preparation rather than getting caught up in talk about which side is favoured to win the tournament.

“Obviously, we have full belief within our four walls of what we can achieve,” he says. “I guess all that outside noise doesn’t really matter.”

Forward Joseph Tapine also points to the importance of building combinations and making the most of the squad’s depth.

“Yeah, I think we’ve got a bit of depth. We’ve got a bit of mindset,” he says. “We’ve beat Australia since then as well, so that’ll help us with a bit of our confidence as a team.”

Tapine says New Zealand has plenty of quality across the squad, but the team must turn that potential into a performance on the field.

epresenting their nations and the hopes of players and supporters back home. Photo/AAP/Robbie Stephenson/Photosport

Pacific teams chasing their own history

The tournament is also a major opportunity for Pacific nations, with Sāmoa, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands joining the Kiwis in the men’s competition. The women’s tournament will feature New Zealand and several Pacific sides as well.

Leolahi believes Samoa and Tonga have the ability to reach the semi-finals, while a Pacific nation lifting the trophy is becoming a realistic prospect.

“Both sides now have access to their best players,” he says, referring to Samoa and Tonga. There’s so much talent now that’s available to them.”

For the Kiwis, though, the immediate focus is Australia. Fisher-Harris says the team is ready to test itself against the defending champions.

“I think this is probably the most competitive World Cup ever,” he says. “We’re not looking too far ahead. We’ve got Australia on Thursday, so I’m just excited for that match.”

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicks off on 15 October and ends on 15 November. Games will be held across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Elton Lonaratha Jnr, a journalism student at Wintec, is currently completing a six-week internship at PMN News.