2013 Rugby League World Cup finalists Australia and New Zealand will meet in Sydney on Thursday evening, 15th October, in the opening group game of the 2026 IRL Rugby League World Cup (8:05pm KO local time).

As the Kangaroos look to secure a fourth successive World Cup tournament win, coach Kevin Walters has gone with Ashes hero Reece Walsh over reigning Clive Churchill Medalist James Tedesco in the coveted No.1 jersey for Australia's blockbuster World Cup opener against the Kiwis.

Walsh's last game was on August 15 against the Warriors when he suffered a syndesmosis injury that looked set to end his season.

The Roosters marched on to NRL glory, winning in the Grand Final, and Tedesco came to the fore with a magnificent grand final display but Walsh has been given the nod in a backline that includes Test debutant Jack Bostock on one wing and Tom Trbojevic on the other.

Mitch Moses has beaten Sam Walker to the halfback role while Jacob Preston makes his international debut in the back row with David Fifita set for his Kangaroos debut off the interchange after previously representing Tonga at the 2022 World Cup.

The Kiwis, meanwhile, have Knights superstars Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai pulling on the black jersey for the first time in a backline that also features Jahrome Hughes at halfback in his first Test since 2023 and Dolphins livewire Kodi Nikorima at five-eighth.

James Fisher-Harris captains the side and leads a formidable forward pack that includes Joseph Tapine in his 26th Test match and powerhouse Rooster Naufahu Whyte in his seventh Test.

Australia (squad): Reece WALSH, Kotoni STAGGS, Mitchell MOSES, Patrick CARRIGAN, Harry GRANT, Tino FA'ASUAMALEAUI, Jacob PRESTON, Liam MARTIN, Isaah YEO, Tom DEARDEN, Reuben COTTER, Keaon KOLOAMATANGI, Brad BEST, Blayke BRAILEY, Samuel WALKER, Lindsay SMITH, Jack BOSTOCK, Latrell MITCHELL, Tom TRBOJEVIC, Cameron MUNSTER, James TEDESCO, Cameron MURRAY

New Zealand (squad): Kalyn PONGA, Ronaldo MULITALO, Kodi NIKORIMA, Jahrome HUGHES, James FISHER HARRIS, Jeremy MARSHALL-KING, Moses LEOTA, Isaiah PAPALI'I, Briton NIKORA, Joseph TAPINE, Te Maire MARTIN, Naufahu WHYTE, Erin CLARK, Xavier WILLISON, Charnze NICOLL-KLOKSTAD, Keano KINI, Scott SORENSEN, Leo THOMPSON, Jacob LABAN, Dane GAGAI, Jamayne ISAAKO, Casey MCLEAN