Rugby League World Cup final New Zealand Australia, Digi Mart USA News: The men’s Rugby League World Cup final in Brisbane will see defending champions Australia face New Zealand, the first time the two nations have contested the final since 2013. According to a Guardian report, the teams had already produced a close, classic opening match a month earlier, which Australia won 24-22.
Australia’s prop Keaon Koloamatangi said the team had been criticised as the weakest forward pack in the competition, adding that the side had changed since that opener. The report notes that attention in the final is likely to centre on full-backs Reece Walsh of Australia and Kalyn Ponga of New Zealand, with Ponga returning just 23 days after a broken forearm to help New Zealand beat Tonga and then win the Golden Boot.
New Zealand are also seeking to end Australian dominance in the women’s tournament, where the Kiwi Ferns will face the Jillaroos in the women’s final for the fifth consecutive World Cup. Australia are looking for a fourth straight win in that decider, although New Zealand’s 32-0 semi-final win over Samoa was a sign of their progress since a heavy 54-4 defeat in England four years ago.
