Kiwis Face Australia in Rugby League World Cup Final
The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns meet Australia in Sunday's finals at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand
The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns will face Australia in the Rugby League World Cup finals on Sunday, 15 November at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Both New Zealand sides are seeking to end Australia's recent run of World Cup titles.
Why it matters
Australia's Kangaroos and Jillaroos have won the World Cup at the last three tournaments, so a result on Sunday would decide whether that run continues. The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have a long rivalry with Australia that stretches back to 1908.
The Kangaroos have won 108 of 145 meetings with the Kiwis since 1908, while the Kiwis last won a World Cup against Australia 34-20 in Brisbane in 2008. The Kiwi Ferns have not beaten the Jillaroos since 2023, and the outcome of Sunday's finals remains undetermined.
The players
Kiwis
New Zealand's men's national rugby league team, which competes against Australia's Kangaroos in international matches and the Rugby League World Cup.
Kiwi Ferns
New Zealand's women's national rugby league team, which competes against Australia's Jillaroos in international matches and the Rugby League World Cup.
Kangaroos
Australia's men's national rugby league team, which has won the most matches against the Kiwis in their long-running rivalry.
Jillaroos
Australia's women's national rugby league team, which won the 2022 Rugby League World Cup women's final.
The details
The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns will contest the finals against Australia on Sunday, 15 November at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Australia has won the Kangaroos and Jillaroos World Cup titles at the last three tournaments, while the Kiwis last defeated Australia in a World Cup final in 2008.
Timeline
1908: The Kiwis and Kangaroos first met in Sydney, with New Zealand winning 11-10.
2008: The Kiwis beat Australia 34-20 in Brisbane to win the World Cup.
2022: The Jillaroos beat the Kiwi Ferns 54-4 in the World Cup final.
2023: The Kiwi Ferns ended their losing run against the Jillaroos with a win.
Sunday, 15 November: Rugby League World Cup finals at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
Season Trajectory
The 2008 World Cup, when the Kiwis beat Australia 34-20 in Brisbane to end Australia's run of six consecutive titles, set the precedent for this Sunday's rematch. Australia's recent three straight World Cup wins now put pressure on the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns to repeat that result.
Fans travelling to Brisbane for Sunday's finals will be attending the Rugby League World Cup decider at Suncorp Stadium. A Kiwi win would end Australia's three-tournament run of World Cup titles across both the men's and women's competitions.
The takeaway
The finals on Sunday will decide whether Australia extends its recent World Cup dominance or the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns reclaim the title. Travellers planning to attend should allow time for travel to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane ahead of the match.
What happens next
The Rugby League World Cup finals are scheduled for Sunday, 15 November at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Further reading
For more on the rivalry, explore Australia and New Zealand travel coverage.
