Kiwis v Kangaroos live updates: Rugby League World Cup final

Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh will square off once again in the Rugby League World Cup final. Photo / Photosport

Rugby League World Cup semi-final, 9.35pm, Sunday, November 15, at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

It’s the final many predicted before a ball was kicked. And if the tournament opener was anything to go by, strap yourself in for another thrilling Rugby League World Cup match.

The Kiwis are aiming to win just their second World Cup in their fifth final. Their lone success came in 2008, while they haven’t been in a final since 2013.

For the Kangaroos, they’re looking to continue their dominance on the global stage and capture a 13th crown.

Kiwis coach Stacey Jones says his players are ready to go and create their own piece of history.

“Our boys say that international footy for them, putting on the black and white jersey, is the pinnacle,” Jones said.

“These opportunities don’t come around often and they’re pretty excited about it.”

Jones said they have not reflected much on the 2008 tournament.

“We’ve had some old players come in and present jerseys to the players.

“You can always go back and look at the part of the heritage and the culture of the jersey. We’ve got Stephen Kearney and Adam Blair, part of our staff, who were the coach and a player.”

It could be a double success for either New Zealand or Australia, with the Kiwi Ferns facing the Jillaroos in the Women’s World Cup final. That match kicks off at 6.10pm.

The Kiwis have made one change to their starting side with Ronaldo Mulitalo returning from a one-game suspension.

His return sees Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad drop back to the reserves.

Premiership-winning Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte has been named on the bench despite failing to finish the semi-final due to an ankle injury, however, Jones insists he will play.

Kiwis: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine.

Interchange (from): 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison, 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson.

Australia have named an unchanged side from the one that demolished Samoa in their semi-final.

Kangaroos: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Jacob Preston, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo.

Interchange (from): 14. Ethan Strange, 15. Keaon Koloamatangi, 16. Cameron Murray, 17. Reuben Cotter, 18. Latrell Mitchell, 19. Sam Walker, 20. Blayke Brailey, 21. Lindsay Smith, 22. James Tedesco.

Referee: Grant Atkins.

Touch judges: Matt Noyen, Tyson Brough.

Bunker official: Wyatt Raymond.

When the two teams met last month, the Kiwis were more clinical, but lacked the execution which allowed Australia back into the match and ultimately snatch victory.

The Kiwis dominated the middle of the field in that match, running for 300m more, while making more post-contact metres and line breaks, but Australia pounced on the mistakes, scoring two tries from intercepts, while the game-winner came off the back of a seven-tackle set.

Expect the Kiwis’ locomotive-esque props to keep bashing through the middle, and it would be a shock if they throw two more intercepts.

But Australia will head into the contest off the back of their best performance under coach Kevin Walters. Their pack was strong and Reece Walsh was unstoppable from the back.

The Kangaroos have the edge in the outside back, and expect them to get into attacking positions and use their fast outside back, particularly Jack Bostock, to break the Kiwis defence.

Both teams have had a fairly cruisy run towards the final, having met in a tense tournament opener on October 15, which was won by the Kangaroos 24-22 thanks to a late try from Jack Bostock.

The Kiwis responded to the defeat with an 82-16 win over the Cook Islands, and a 78-0 win over Fiji before beating Tonga 34-10 in their semi-final.

Australia meanwhile were pushed, but overcame Fiji 36-22 before cruising past the Cook Islands 66-6 and then producing their best performance to date with a 44-12 win over Samoa in their semi-final.

The final will be the 147th meeting between New Zealand and Australia dating back to 1908.

History is against the Kiwis though, who have only won 35 times, while there have been three draws and 108 defeats.

Australia have won eight of the last 10 meetings between the two sides, however you could argue the Kiwis won the one that matters most, by claiming a 30-0 win in the Pacific Championships final in 2023.

While history is against the Kiwis, they have won four of their last five matches against the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium, although it has been 11 years since the teams last met there.

The wins there have been significant, including the finals of the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations.

The Kangaroos have won their last 22 World Cup matches, with their last defeat in the tournament coming in the 2008 World Cup final.

The Kiwis have not defeated the Kangaroos on Australian soil since 2015; however, that match was played at Suncorp Stadium.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is one point away from becoming the Kiwis’ all-time points scorer, which is currently held by Shaun Johnson. Earlier this tournament, he broke the record for most points in a test by a New Zealand player with 38 in the win over the Cook Islands.

Kiwis $2.15 Kangaroos $1.70

You can watch the game on Sky Sport 3 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now, from 8.30pm. There will be te reo commentary on Sky Sport Select from 9.20pm.

You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.