Australia edge New Zealand in epic World Cup opener

Jack Bostock scores a hat-trick of tries as Australia fight back to win the opening game of the Rugby League World Cup against New Zealand. Dolphins winger Jack Bostock marked his Australia debut with a hat-trick of tries Australia underlined why they are favourites for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup by fighting back from a mauling at the hands of New Zealand's powerful pack to win a thrilling opening match of the tournament. This was as good as it gets in terms of international rugby league, with more than 40,000 fans – the biggest Test match crowd in Sydney for 50 years – witnessing the ultimate smash-and-grab victory by Kevin Walters' side.

Casey McLean's stunning early try gave New Zealand the impetus and they were on top until the final five minutes, when Jack Bostock marked a stunning Kangaroos debut with his third try to decide an epic match. Bostock's dream debut – which included one interception try and two by winning aerial battles to claim spiralling Cameron Munster kicks – was one of many fascinating sub plots. Kalyn Ponga's match-up against his Australia counterpart Reece Walsh, arguably the sport's biggest star, was another. The Kiwi full-back scored twice and looked to be coming out on top in their personal battle until Walsh conjured up a superb long-range try