Official team lists and updates for the 2026 Men's Rugby League World Cup Final.
NOTE: The World Cup will be played under NRL rules with six players on the interchange bench. Only four of those players may be used as per NRL rules.
2026 World Cup Final Team Lists
Australia v New Zealand, Sunday 7.35pm AEDT at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Australia is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for New Zealand is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Australia is number 2 Jack BostockWinger for New Zealand is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
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Centre for Australia is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for New Zealand is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Australia is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for New Zealand is number 4 Casey McLean
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Winger for Australia is number 5 Tom TrbojevicWinger for New Zealand is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Australia is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for New Zealand is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
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Halfback for Australia is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for New Zealand is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
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Prop for Australia is number 8 Patrick CarriganProp for New Zealand is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
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Hooker for Australia is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for New Zealand is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Australia is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiProp for New Zealand is number 10 Moses Leota
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2nd Row for Australia is number 11 Jacob Preston2nd Row for New Zealand is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
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2nd Row for Australia is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for New Zealand is number 12 Briton Nikora
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Lock for Australia is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for New Zealand is number 13 Joseph Tapine
Interchange
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Interchange for Australia is number 14 Ethan StrangeInterchange for New Zealand is number 14 Te Maire Martin
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Interchange for Australia is number 15 Keaon KoloamatangiInterchange for New Zealand is number 15 Naufahu Whyte
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Interchange for Australia is number 16 Cameron MurrayInterchange for New Zealand is number 16 Erin Clark
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Interchange for Australia is number 17 Reuben CotterInterchange for New Zealand is number 17 Xavier Willison
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Interchange for Australia is number 18 Latrell MitchellInterchange for New Zealand is number 18 Keano Kini
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Interchange for Australia is number 19 Sam WalkerInterchange for New Zealand is number 19 Phoenix Crossland
Reserves
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Reserve for Australia is number 20 Blayke BraileyReserve for New Zealand is number 20 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Reserve for Australia is number 21 Lindsay SmithReserve for New Zealand is number 21 Scott Sorensen
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Reserve for Australia is number 22 James TedescoReserve for New Zealand is number 22 Leo Thompson
Australia Ins
- Blayke Brailey
- James Tedesco
- Lindsay Smith
New Zealand Ins
- Leo Thompson
- Ronaldo Mulitalo
- Scott Sorensen
Australia Outs
New Zealand Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Tyson Brough
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Australia: Having hit their straps in a big way against Samoa in the semi-final, the Kangaroos stick with the same 19-man squad for the decider. Pat Carrigan is listed to start with Keaon Koloamatangi on the bench although they may swap on game day again as they did last Sunday. After being a late call-up onto the six-man interchange last Sunday, Sam Walker again gets the nod alongside Ethan Strange, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Latrell Mitchell and Koloamatangi. The Australian side contains eight players who were part of the 2022 World Cup Final win over Samoa - Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Murray, Carrigan and Mitchell.
New Zealand: The Kiwis are boosted by the return of winger Ronaldo Mulitalo from a one-game for the high shot on Fiji's Ronald Philitoga at Cbus Super Stadium in Round 3. Mulitalo was sent off and suspended for one match, ruling him out of the semi-final win over Tonga. His return sees Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad drop back to the reserves. Premiership winning Rooster Naufahu Whyte has been named on the bench despite failing to finish the semi-final due to an ankle injury. Should Whyte fail to come up then his replacement would most likely be Leo Thompson.
By the Numbers
- The Kangaroos have won their last 22 World Cup matches.
- The Kiwis have not defeated the Kangaroos on Australian soil since 2015.
- Kangaroos winger Tom Trbojevic has scored eight tries in four games at this year’s World Cup.
- Kiwi centre Casey McLean has scored 16 tries in eight Test appearances.
- Kangaroos fullback Reece Walsh has scored nine tries in six Test appearances.
- Winger Jamayne Isaako requires one point to break Shaun Johnson’s all-time Kiwis’ pointscoring record.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
