IF Australia are favourites, then New Zealand are surely second favourites.
The Kiwis’ last fixture against Australia ended in a 22-10 defeat during the Pacific Championships in 2024, with new head coach Stacey Jones at the helm following the departure of Michael Maguire.
Selected in Pool A alongside Australia, Fiji and the Cook Islands, New Zealand will be chomping at the bit to go up against their antipodean foes once more.
And they won’t have to wait long as Australia and New Zealand meet in the first fixture on 15th October. With that clash being played out in Sydney, the Kiwis face arguably their toughest game of the competition on the first day.
However, on the back of their 2025 Pacific Championships success, Jones’ men will be gunning for back-to-back tournament titles, setting the scene for an interesting pool.
KEY PLAYERS
Kalyn Ponga created a storm earlier in the year when he switched his allegiance from Australia to New Zealand – and he is set to make his debut when the Kiwi’s kick the tournament off against Australia on Thursday.
One Kiwi to keep your eye on is New Zealand Warriors lock Erin Clark, who has impressed greatly with his powerful running game at club level in a superb season for the Warriors, being named in the pack in the Dally M Team of the Year.
Also in that team was Clark’s Warriors team mate James Fisher-Harris, who is never backwards at coming forwards, in whatever team or shirt he is playing in.
COACH
Stacey Jones will lead the Kiwis in his first major tournament as New Zealand boss, having taken over from Michael Maguire in February 2024.
Jones signed a deal until the end of the 2026 World Cup, allowing the former Super League and NRL star the time to make an imprint on the side.
SQUAD
Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors), James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand Warriors), Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights), Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Keano Kini (Gold Coast Titans), Jacob Laban (New Zealand Warriors), Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers), Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins), Te Maire Martin (New Zealand Warriors), Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla Sharks), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (New Zealand Warriors), Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks), Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Isaiah Papali’i (Penrith Panthers), Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights), Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers), Tanner Stowers-Smith (New Zealand Warriors), Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders), Leo Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs), Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters), Xavier Willison (Brisbane Broncos).
