Kiwis’ forward pack holds key to World Cup opening clash against Australia, experts say

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.

Tuilagi 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,” he 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.”

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

Australia have named Reece Walsh at fullback ahead of James Tedesco for the World Cup opener with Mitch Moses chosen at halfback and Jack Bostock set for his Test debut.

The Kiwis welcome Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai into the backline, with Jahrome Hughes returning for his first Test since 2023 and Kodi Nikorima at five-eighth.

Captain James Fisher-Harris leads a powerful forward pack featuring Joseph Tapine and Naufahu Whyte. At a media briefing, Fisher-Harris said the squad’s connection is helping build confidence ahead of the opening test. “The boys just can’t stop smiling, just that connection we have with each other.

The New Zealand Kiwis go through their final preparations at the captains’ run at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday ahead of their Rugby League World Cup opener against Australia. Photo/AAP/Robbie Stephenson/Photosport

The Kiwis have brought together experienced campaigners and new faces like 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.”

Building combinations before the big test

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.”

Watch the Kiwis captain's run in Sydney on Wednesday.

Head coach Stacey Jones says the Kiwis will need to get the basics right against Australia.

“The team that comes out on top’s the team that’s probably going to do the little things really well,” he said. “You defend well and you run hard with the footy, you generally come out on top.”

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.”

Jones says the Kiwis’ familiarity with one another is a strength, with much of the forward pack returning from last year’s campaign. “They know each other’s game really well,” he said.

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

Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones and captain James Fisher-Harris at the team’s captains’ run at Allianz Stadium in Sydney ahead of their Rugby League World Cup opener against Australia. 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.

Tuilagi believes Toa Sāmoa 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 Sāmoa 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 15 October and ends on 15 November. Games will be held across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The Kiwis face Australia in their Rugby League World Cup opener at 10.05pm New Zealand time.

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

TEAMS

New Zealand Kiwis: Kalyn Ponga, Jamayne Isaako, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris (captain), Jeremy Marshall-King, Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali’i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine. Interchange: Te Maire Martin, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison. Reserves: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Keano Kini, Scott Sorensen.

Australia Kangaroos: Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock, Latrell Mitchell, Kotoni Staggs, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Mitchell Moses, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo. Interchange: Tom Dearden, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Keaon Koloamatangi. Reserves: David Fifita, Bradman Best, Blayke Brailey.

Interchange rules: The World Cup will be played under NRL rules, with six players named on the interchange bench. Teams can use a maximum of four interchange players during a match.

Match officials: Referee Adam Gee, touch judges Matt Noyen and Tyson Brough, and senior review official Chris Butler.

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