2025 National Secondary Schools Champions Crowned

Position available: New Zealand Rugby League National Coach Development Manager

Rugby league has played a significant part in New Zealand sport for over 100 years. Formed in 1910, New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in New Zealand.

NZRL is divided into seven zones that service the grassroots needs of the game. These zones compete in the National Premiership/Championship, as well as women’s, youth and schools’ competitions. NZRLmanages the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns, who play regular international fixtures and compete in the Rugby League World Cup every four years.

Through our “More Than A Game” philosophy, NZRL aspires to transform lives and community wellbeing through Rugby League. 

Underpinning this philosophy is The Kiwi Way.  We are diverse, we call New Zealand home and therefore we are all Kiwis. We live and play The Kiwi Way – all day/every day:

• We are inclusive, respectful and humble
• We are responsible
• We are innovative and courageous
• We are family first

OUR GOALS

• Rugby league enjoyed by more people
• A financially sustainable NZ Game
• Women’s game thriving and enhanced opportunities for women in the game
• Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns inspirational & aspirational
• NZRL to be a model modern sports organisation

PURPOSE

The National Coach Development Manager is responsible for the overall implementation of the NZRL coaching plan and working with coaching and development staff within Zones/Districts to deliver the plan.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Delivery of NZRL Coaching Strategy

·  Research to identify best practice coaching models.

·  Review, refine and implement NZRL’s coaching strategy in conjunction with relevant NZRL and Zone/District personnel.

·  Monitor the achievement of NZRL coaching objectives and outcomes identified in the NZRL Coach Development and High Performance plans.

·  Assist Zones/Districts with performance management of their coaching and development staff in line with national and Zonal/District objectives.

·  Manage the training and development of the coach educator network nationally.

2. Implement NZRL Coach Accreditation Scheme

• Responsible for the overall development and implementation of the NZRL coach development programmes in line with the NZRL Football Calendar

• Continually review and evaluate existing programmes and conduct research and benchmarking to identify best practice in coaching and game development.

• Implement sustainable best practice processes to increase overall quality of rugby league coaching.

• Liaise with relevant NZRL personnel to ensure all coaching programmes are fully integrated with High Performance, Football, Commercial and Brand strategies.

• Continuously work with appropriate Zone/District personnel to inform and maintain national alignment and consistency across all NZRL High Performance, Football, and coaching programmes.

• Continuous and in-depth communication across all Zones and districts to maintain a clear overview of our coaching and development programmes and to remain ‘in touch’ with our communities.

• Assist NZRL Executive and Board with other tasks/projects as and when reasonably required, in consultation with the GM of Football & High Performance.

3. Resource Development

·   Develop literature/resources to support NZRL coach accreditation programmes.

·   Develop, in consultation with the GM of Football & High Performance, a Core Competency, technical, tactical, and mental skills matrix.

·  Develop and produce literature/resources to enhance and support coaching recruitment and retention programmes.

·  Disseminate information relevant to education and assessment processes in a timely and accurate manner.

·  Utilise the NZRL website to improve accessibility of resources and to enhance education and assessment programmes where appropriate.

4. Planning and Reporting

Weekly work in progress meetings with relevant NZRL staff as per NZRL’s management. The NZRL Football & High-Performance department is connected to and works with all areas of the organisation and the wider rugby league community; therefore, a motivated team player who can also work independently is required.

PLANNING AND REPORTING

• Meeting NZRL KPIs for coach development tasks.
• Delivering on tasks as directed and requested by the NZRL General Manager of Football & High Performance.
• Working with other departments and teams to ensure communication, alignment and the delivery of coaching courses and upskilling opportunities, competitions and tournaments.

GENERAL DUTIES &RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be punctual and work the hours and times specified.
• Prioritise workload to ensure work of the greatest importance to the business is undertaken with urgency and to a high standard.
• Support and help develop a positive workplace culture.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Responsibly manage all business resources within accountability levels.
• Undertake all duties and responsibilities outlined in this Job Description and all other duties as required by the business.
• Comply with all employment obligations.
• Promptly undertake to complete all reasonable and lawful instructions and directions given.
• Serve the business in good faith, promoting and protecting the business' best interests.
• During work time, and such other times as may be reasonably required, dedicate all effort to the execution and fulfilment of the duties, responsibilities, obligations and instructions related to employment.
• Demonstrate through own actions a commitment to Health and Safety at work when undertaking work or observing others in the workplace.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION 

• Demonstrated experience in leading coach development in a national sporting organisation.
• Sound MS Office and database management skills.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills; and
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

HOW TO APPLY

This role can be based at the New Zealand Rugby League Head Office in Penrose, Auckland, or outside Auckland.

To apply for this role, please send in a covering letter accompanied with your CV to: football.operations@nzrl.co.nz

 Applications will close on Sunday 18^th January 2026.

The Kiwis have powered into the shortlist for Team of the Year for the 2025 Halberg Awards, New Zealand’s premier honours recognising the top sporting achievements of the year.

The Kiwis’ remarkable 2025 campaign saw them produce a 100% win record, secure both the Sir Peter Leitch Challenge Cup, contested between New Zealand and Pacific nations, and the coveted Pacific Cup.

Competing in the top tier of the Pacific Championships, the Kiwis faced world-class Tonga and Toa Samoa sides, strengthened by a wave of elite players pledging allegiance to the Pacific nations. They delivered dominant pool-stage performances, beating Samoa 24-18, before a commanding 40-14 win over Tonga.

The Kiwis went on to face Toa Samoa again in the final at Sydney’s Commbank Stadium. Trailing at halftime, they produced a stunning second-half comeback, scoring 30 unanswered points to storm home 36-14. The win secured their second Pacific Cup title in three years and their first under head coach Stacey Jones. The result also cemented New Zealand’s place at number two in the World Rankings.

Rugby league continues to grow in Aotearoa and around the world, with more than 50 nations now participating in the game. The same growth can be seen amongst fans, with all three Kiwis matches drawing over one million television viewers. The clash with Tonga at Eden Park attracted the largest rugby league crowd in New Zealand in over a decade, setting the stage for what is shaping up to be a blockbuster World Cup in 2026.

Also shortlisted for Team of the Year are Auckland FC (football), Black Ferns Sevens, (rugby sevens), New Zealand Black Sox (softball), the Men’s Team Pursuit (track cycling), and rowing duo Ben Taylor and Oliver Welch.  

Winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony at Spark Arena in Auckland on Monday 16 February 2026. The evening will also crown the Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award, Sport New Zealand’s Leadership Award, and the only publicly voted honour - New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and free-to-air on Sky Open from 8:00pm.

See the full list of nominees here: halberg.co.nz

We sadly mourn the passing of Kiwi great Garry Maxwell John Smith, New Zealand Kiwi #448, at age 84.

Smith's early years were spent representing the small town of Runanga and the West Coast region. Later moving to Wellington, Smith joined Marist and won two premierships with the club in 1965 and later in 1971. In 1965, he also featured in the North Island representative team before earning selection for the Kiwis the following year.

A talented second rower and prop, Smith played his debut campaign for the Kiwis in 1966, playing in two losses to Australia in what was the start of a six-year tenure for the Kiwis. In 1967, he toured Australia, playing in one Test and 10 of the 17 tour games. The following year, Smith played in the 1968 World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, as well as the following 1970 World Cup in Great Britain.

In 1971, his final season for New Zealand, he was a vital member of the historic 'Grand Slam Kiwis' squad. Across 86 days, the New Zealanders played 26 matches across Britain and France, six of them Tests, and achieved the feat of winning the series against Great Britain 2-0 and earning a 2-0 result against France. Smith and the 1971 Kiwis were the first official New Zealand team to win a series in the United Kingdom.

He retired from international duties with 16 Test caps for New Zealand, three Test tries, and 39 additional non-Test games for the Kiwis.

Towards the back end of his rugby league career, Smith became a Kapiti Bears Rugby League Club loyal, and was a pillar forward for Wellington's representative side.

We extend our heartfelt condolences and thoughts to Garry’s family, friends, teammates, and all whose lives he touched throughout his community. Garry will be sorely missed, but he leaves behind his contributions to the black and white jersey and the game of rugby league, that will be remembered forever.

The Trillian Trust Māori Sports Awards was hosted by Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia on Saturday 29 November. This prestigious event celebrates Māori sporting excellence and recognises the achievements of Māori athletes, coaches, referees, and administrators across various sports codes.

Now in its 35th year, we would like to congratulate the three rugby league participants who took home awards and scholarships. Kiwis enforcer Joseph Tapine won Senior Māori Sportsman of the Year, after an outstanding year captaining the Canberra Raiders to an NRL minor premiership and being instrumental in the Kiwis’ Pacific Cup victory.

Congratulations also to Waikato referee Epiha Muru-Kete, who was awarded the Skills Active Aotearoa Māori Sports Awards Scholarship, and Te Maia Sweetman, a Mid Central Vipers and Aotearoa Whaanui representative, who received the Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa Massey University Scholarship. We also recognise renowned Waikato referee Paki Parkinson, who was a finalist for the Māori Sports Umpire/Referee of the Year award.

See the full list of winners here maorisportsawards.co.nz

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TE TAMA-Ā-TANENUIĀRANGI | Senior Māori Sportsman of the Year
Joseph Tapine (Ngāi Tūhoe), Ahitereiria | Australia – rīki | rugby league ‍

SKILLS ACTIVE AOTEAROA | Māori Sports Awards Scholarship
Epiha Ricky Muru-Kete (Waikato Tainui), Rāhui-Pōkeka | Huntly – rīki | rugby league ‍

TE KUNENGA KI PŪREHUROA | Massey University Scholarship
Te Maia Sweetman (Rangitāne ki Tāmaki Nui a Rua), Te Papaioea | Palmerston North – whutupōro | rugby, rīki | rugby league

TE ARATIATIA | Māori Sports Umpire/Referee of the Year (finalist)‍

Paki Parkinson (Waikato Tainui) – rīki | rugby league

A new generation of New Zealand stars is determined to create their own legacy as they look to replicate the heroics of the 2008 World Cup triumph.

It will be 18 long years between drinks by the time the tournament rolls around next October, with many of the current squad too young to remember the historic victory at Suncorp Stadium.

Building towards the World Cup was a key theme throughout the Kiwis' successful Pacific Championships campaign, with coach Stacey Jones bringing in a number of the 2008 champions to shed light on a stunning upset over the Kangaroos.

Star winger Casey McLean was just two at the time and said the speeches inspired the current squad to create their own piece of history.

"We've had the old boys come into camp and talk about their journeys," McLean told NRL.com. "There were a couple of times that World Cup came up and when it did the hunger crept into the room. The boys are hungry and want that feeling again.

"The World Cup is the pinnacle of rugby league. Especially as a Kiwi, we don't play State of Origin so for us we take so much pride any time we're able to put on the Kiwis jersey."

The Kiwis are riding high on the back of a dominant Pacific Championships campaign and have emerged as the primary threat to the Kangaroos stranglehold on the trophy.

The two teams will face off in the opening game of the tournament at Allianz Stadium on October 15.  

The full schedule was unveiled on Sunday, with New Zealand joining Australia, Fiji and the Cook Islands in Pool A.

The Kiwis will host the Aitu in front of an expected sold-out crowd at the new state-of-the-art One NZ Stadium in Christchurch in their second game of the tournament.

After a disappointing semi-final exit in 2022, New Zealand have spent the past few years laying the foundation for redemption in 2026.

The squad features the perfect mix of youth and experience, an imposing forward pack and a blistering backline.

Veteran leaders James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Joe Tapine set the tone up front, while McLean headlines a new generation of exciting talent.

Eight players have made their international debuts in the past two years, with Naufahu Whyte and Keano Kini helping usher in a new era for the team.

Should all go to plan in 2026, the Kiwis will return to the scene of the 2008 triumph for another crack at the title.

Suncorp Stadium will host the decider on November 15 as part of a double-header with the women's final.

Getting there, however, won't be easy.

New Zealand have fallen short at the last two World Cups, losing to Fiji in the quarter-final in 2017 and Australia in the semi-final in 2022.

Samoa and Tonga have emerged as genuine international powerhouses while England are a perennial contender.

Just getting out of the group stages will be a major achievement and McLean recognises the Kiwis can't afford an early slip-up.

"The international game's growing hugely," McLean said. "It's not just the same old countries that are going to win, it's anyone's game now.

"Even Papua New Guinea and Fiji are holding their own. It's cool that the international space is growing immensely and great to be involved from a Kiwis point of view."

Samoa and Tonga's rise has triggered a surge in support for international rugby league, with more than 44,000 fans descending on Suncorp Stadium for their clash last month.

A sell out is expected at the ground for next year's World Cup final and would break the record set during the 2008 decider for an international match at the ground.

McLean had a taste of the Suncorp atmosphere during the NRL finals series, when more than 52,000 fans packed into the stadium to watch Brisbane stun Penrith in the preliminary final.

The 19-year-old is determined to return to write new memories at the venue next November.

"The prelim was an unreal experience," McLean said. "I expected it going up to Suncorp. It was a packed crowd that was loud and it was super exciting to play there and put on a show in front of all those people.

"The atmosphere is loud, it's like an echo. It's never quiet, you can never hear a pin drop so it'll will be unreal to experience again if we get there."

For tickets and more information head to RLWC2026.com

As seen on nrl.com

We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Selwyn “Sel” Shanks.

Sel’s contribution to rugby league over more than 70 years was immeasurable. He was fondly known by many in the community as a humble, hard worker who helped shape the domestic game into what it is today, particularly within Auckland.

Sel wore many hats from once playing, to coaching, going on to manage the New Zealand Kiwis, and serving as the Auckland Rugby League Chairman for several years.

He will be remembered for his generosity, humility, service, and love for the game, as he joins his beloved wife, the late Cherie Steele-Shanks, another renowned pioneer of the game whose contribution remains legendary.

His legacy will live on through every player, volunteer, and person he supported over his seven decades as a rugby league stalwart. To Sel and Cherie’s whānau, friends, and all those whose lives he impacted, we offer our deepest sympathies and thoughts. Moe mai rā Sel, thank you for everything you gave to our game.

The Wheel Kiwis are hoping their inclusion at next year’s Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup will bring more eyes to one of the most inclusive and diverse sports there is.

The team are fairly new, having played their first match just 13 months ago against Australia’s Wheelaroos, but New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) boss Greg Peters has ambitious ideas for the sport, which has surged in popularity since the last World Cup in 2022.

That was because more people were watching the sport as it ran alongside the men’s and women’s tournaments for the first time in England, forcing the International Rugby League to do the same for next year’s tournament in Australia.

But the uniqueness of the sport is also captivating. It pits disabled and non-disabled, male and female, on the same teams, while it’s an adaptation of the running game with many of the same rules, where tackles are made by removing tags from the opponents’ shoulders, and play-the-balls involve tapping it on the ground.

Each game is made up of two 40-minute halves and generally played on a 46m x 20m court, with five players on each team and tries – worth four points – are scored by grounding a smaller version of a league ball in the opponent’s goal area. There are no forward passes and plenty of hard hits at lightning speed, while kicks are performed with an AFL-style pass.

Out of the five players on the court at any given time, two can be non-disabled.

In terms of a sport, it’s relatively young, having been devised in 2000 in France, but after seeing the success of the last World Cup, Peters knew it was time New Zealand got involved.

“I think we saw how it exploded on to the scene, really, and now it’s a full-blown World Cup alongside men’s and women’s,” Peters told the Herald.

“We knew we needed to be part of that because, as a high-capability rugby league nation, we should be fielding a team in all World Cups that are available for us to do so.

“The game is unique in that you can have able-bodied people playing with disabled people on the same court, which makes it fully inclusive, plus the physicality and the nature of it ... [makes it] a great entertainment spectacle too.”

New Zealand’s participation in the wheelchair sport was 16 years in the making, after plans for them to participate in the inaugural 2008 tournament fell through.

But after seeing the World Cup, the Warriors Community Foundation joined forces with the NZRL, Auckland Rugby League, Counties Manukau Rugby League and Disability Sport Auckland for a have-a-go day, and the wheels in motion have been in place since.

That led to the creation of the Wheel Kiwis, and Edie George was tasked with coaching the squad, after initially just reaching out to offer a helping hand.

George has been involved in the sport since 2013, which began while working at a rehab centre in Sydney. He began playing before moving up the ranks, eventually, serving as an assistant for Australia at the last World Cup.

It was a tough start at the beginning, with George having to teach the basics to all the players, because most of the squad had never played the sport before.

They took to the court for the first time on November 1, 2024, on Auckland’s North Shore, going down 98-4 to the Wheelaroos and again 110-8 days later.

But 12 months later, they’ve progressed in leaps and bounds – the team won three of their six matches at the NRL’s Wheelchair championship against Australian states.

George said he’s grateful for the opportunities the sport has given him.

“I never thought I’d be in this position, ever,” George said. “Once I started coaching, I fell in love, and it’s a huge honour to be able to coach a team into the World Cup.

“I’ll be proud of it for the rest of my life, and [it’s] something that I’ll always cherish and appreciate.

“We want to grow the participation at grassroots level in New Zealand, and to be competitive as we can in the World Cup.”

George said he’s always blown away by the skills of the players involved.

“In rugby league, when you take a hit-up, you’re running, focusing on catching the ball and hitting the gap,” George said. “In wheelchair rugby league, it’s completely different.

“You’re pushing with your arms, the ball’s coming toward you, and you have to let go of the chair, manoeuvre it as you catch the ball, then secure it in your lap and keep pushing all while avoiding contact.

“We’re starting to showcase that despite the sport being played in a wheelchair, you can still showcase talents of rugby league skills.

“These are athletes, and they should be treated as athletes as well. So, by having men’s, women’s, wheelchair all together, that’s, you know, will be a huge boost for the game.”

Plans are in place to stage an open tournament in New Zealand next year for anybody who wants to try the sport, and possibly put their hand up for future representation of the Wheel Kiwis.

Peters admits they are in the early stages of developing the sport in New Zealand, but says they are on the right track for future success.

He’s ambitious about where he would love to see the sport in five years with the hope of having a domestic league across New Zealand, aligned with local clubs.

Countries like England and France have already established domestic competitions, with some Super League clubs entering their own sides, players earning MBEs for their services to the sport, and thousands of fans turning out to watch.

But there is one goal Peters would love to tick off.

“I’d love to sell out Spark Arena for a wheelchair rugby league spectacle,” Peters said.

“I think it’s just an amazing entertainment sport, and it has the ability to wrap other things around it, like music, and make it a real entertainment spectacle.

“I’d encourage anyone that hasn’t seen it, have a look on YouTube and see what it’s like, because it’s an amazing sport.

“We want the sport to be as accessible to as many people as possible, and adding the Wheel Kiwis to the teams that represent New Zealand overseas and at World Cups and internationally is a really important part of that.”

New Zealand have been drawn in Pool B, alongside Australia, France and Scotland for the World Cup, with all matches taking place in Wollongong.

As seen on nzherald.co.nz

The end of the 2025 season brings the curtain down on a remarkable group of Kiwis players whose international and professional careers will be long remembered. Each has left a lasting mark on New Zealand rugby league and the Black and White jersey, having made major contributions to our great game throughout their careers.

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Jared Waerea-Hargreaves #755

33 Kiwis Tests  

8 Points (2 tries)

340 professional matches (NRL and Super League)

Rotorua native Waerea-Hargreaves made his Kiwis debut in 2009, going on to become New Zealand’s veteran enforcer in the middle. He played 33 Test matches, with his last appearance coming at the 2022 World Cup. He enjoyed a long and decorated professional career, reaching 310 NRL games for the Sydney Roosters and finishing with 340 professional appearances following a move to the Super League in 2025.

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Kieran Foran #757

34 Kiwis Tests

16 Points (1 try, 6 goals)

318 NRL matches

Foran made his NRL debut in 2009 as a 19-year-old, before earning selection in the New Zealand Four Nations squad and making his international debut in a loss to England. This marked the beginning of an NRL and international career spanning 17 seasons from 2009 to 2025 - the longest Test career in Kiwis history. The Ellerslie Eagles junior was a key figure in major tournament wins, including the 2014 Four Nations, the 2023 Pacific Cup, and the 2025 Pacific Cup.  

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Elijah Taylor #770

11 Kiwis Tests

8 points (2 tries)

279 professional matches (NRL, Super League & Championship)

Taylor made his NRL debut in 2011 for the New Zealand Warriors, later that same year debuting for the Kiwis in the Four Nations. He played 10 additional Tests fthrough to 2013, while continuing a strong NRL career of 186 matches through to 2020. He then moved to the United Kingdom, competing in the Super League and Championship until the end of 2025.

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Martin Taupau #785

24 Kiwis Tests

256 NRL matches

Martin “Marty” Taupau made his NRL debut in 2010 for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, captaining the Junior Kiwis that same year. He debuted for the Kiwis in the 2014 ANZAC Test and played every match of the Four Nations Series later that year. Taupau played 24 Kiwis Tests over 4 years before switching international allegiance to Samoa. He retires in 2025 with 256 NRL appearances.

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Kenny Bromwich #796

15 Kiwis Tests

12 points (3 tries)

260 NRL matches

Bromwich began his professional career in 2013 when he debuted for the Melbourne Storm at age 22. The Manurewa native and junior would became a Melbourne stalwart, playing 216 matches before moving to Redcliffe in 2023. He made his Kiwis debut in the 2016 ANZAC Test, going on to play 15 Tests through to his final international appearance at the 2022 World Cup. He now retires with 260 NRL games.

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Jordan Rapana #798

16 Kiwis Tests

82 points (11 tries, 19 goals)

242 professional matches (NRL and Super League)

Rapana made his NRL debut in 2008 for the Gold Coast Titans against the Sydney Roosters. After a hiatus from rugby league, he joined the Canberra Raiders in 2014 where he would play for a decade until 2024. He debuted for the Kiwis in the 2016 Four Nations, playing 16 Tests through to 2022. Rapana’s final professional season was with Hull F.C. in the Super League this year.

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David Fusitu’a #799

2 Kiwis Tests

8 points (2 tries)

151 professional matches (NRL and Super League)

A Warriors junior throughout his youth, Fusitu’a made his first-grade debut in 2014. The winger debuted for the Kiwis in 2016, playing two Tests in the Four Nations before switching allegiance to Tonga the following year. He continued at the Warriors before moving to the Super League’s Leeds Rhinos in 2022, retiring with 151 professional appearances across a ten-year career.

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Ken Maumalo #810

9 Kiwis Tests

20 points (5 tries)

135 NRL matches

A South Auckland local and Warriors junior, Maumalo made his first-grade debut in 2015. He made his Kiwis debut later in 2018, playing nine Tests across 2018-2019. The winger continued his try-scoring form for the Warriors until 2021, before a mid-season move to the Wests Tigers. He played his final first-grade match in 2023 and continued in the Queensland Cup until his retiring in 2025.

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Fa'amanu Brown #835

3 Kiwis Tests

4 points (1 try)

97 professional matches (NRL and Super League)

Born in Christchurch, Brown became a Sharks junior after moving to Australia in his youth. He made his NRL debut for the Sharks in 2014, later joining the Bulldogs in 2018. After successful stints in both the NRL and Super League, he made his Kiwis debut in 2023, playing three Tests including the historic 30-0 victory over Australia in the Pacific Cup final.

See the official New Zealand Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns draws for the 2026 IRL Rugby League World Cup, with their matches to be played across Australia and New Zealand. The Wheelchair World Cup will be played entirely at Wollongong, Australia's WIN Entertainment Centre.

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Tickets on sale via the Rugby League World Cup website here rlwc2026.com/home

Kangaroos stars Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary have predicted the 2026 World Cup will be the most competitive ever as the Ashes winners prepare to face Pacific Cup champions New Zealand in the opening match.

Yeo’s Australian team completed a 3-0 series clean sweep of England in the first Ashes series since 2003, while the Kiwis triumphed in the Pacific Championships against Toa Samoa and Tonga to ensure a mouthwatering start to the World Cup.

And with the Kiwis forced to overcome a 14-6 half-time deficit to defeat Samoa in the final and Tonga's narrow 20-14 loss to the Kangaroos in the 2024 Pacific Cup decider, there are at least five nations capable of winning the World Cup.

“It’s certainly going to be the strongest World Cup there’s ever been, and that’s great for international rugby league,” Yeo said.

The Kangaroos and Kiwis have been drawn in Pool A, along with Fiji and the Cook Islands, who claimed the last RLWC26 berth by beating South Africa in a qualifying match on November 9 at CommBank Stadium.

New Zealand star Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad said the Kiwis were looking forward to testing themselves against Australia in the opening match at Allianz Stadium on October 15 after a successful Pacific Championships campaign.

“That is a massive game and it is definitely one we will have circled in the calendar," Nicoll-Klokstad said.

"It is a game that you all want to be a part of so it will be cool to kick off such a prestigious competition like the World Cup with a big game against Australia."

England, Samoa and Lebanon are in Pool B and will play the teams in Pool C – Tonga, Papua New Guinea and France – rather than those in their own pool, and vice-versa.

The top two teams in Pool A and the top two teams in a combined Pool B and Pool C will qualify for the semi-finals, with play-off positions to be determined by:

• for-and-against if two teams from the same pool finish on the same competition points;
• the head-to-head result between a team in Pool B and a team in Pool C if they finish on the same competition points.

Tonga, who are in Pool C, will start their World Cup campaign against England in Perth on Saturday, October 17 and finish with an eagerly awaited clash with Samoa at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 3.

A win in either of those matches could ensure Tonga a semi-final berth on head-to-head over the team they beat.

Samoa and Tonga drew a crowd of more than 44,000 for October’s Pacific Cup match at Suncorp Stadium, while nearly 40,000 fans turned out for Tonga’s match against New Zealand at Eden Park.

Despite being in England with the Kangaroos, Cleary said he had followed the Pacific Championships closely and was impressed by the Kiwis, as well as Samoa and Tonga.

“The international game is in the best place it’s ever been, and that’s only going to grow and get better so it’s an exciting time for international rugby league with the World Cup coming up,” Cleary said.

“I’ve got a lot of good mates who were playing in the Pacific Championships, so I was keeping a keen eye on them. All three teams are stacked so it’s exciting to watch as a fan.

“It’s super close and it’s such a great thing with the international game at the moment. England’s team is the best it’s been in a long time. They’ve got a lot of talent, then you’ve got Australia and the Pacific teams have great lineups so it’s exciting to watch.”

Nicoll-Klokstad said many of the New Zealand players were still hurting from their 16-14 loss to Australia at Elland Road in the semi-final of the last World Cup in 2022.

The Kiwis bounced back to inflict a record 30-0 defeat of the Kangaroos in the final of the 2023 Pacific Cup and after being stunned by Tonga in 2024 they will head into the World Cup buoyed by a successful Pacific Championships.

“We have got to feel confident, we have got a lot of young boys coming through and a lot of old heads now," Nicoll-Klokstad said.

"It feels like yesterday that the last World Cup happened so there are going to be a lot of us who want to make that right by beating Australia.

“The first game is very important, there are other teams that are doing their nations proud and really flying up through the ranks by beating big teams in big games, so it is really important that we get our preparations right for the World Cup and make sure we come up with a win."

See the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns draws for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup here.

Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns players have welcomed the opportunity to play a double-header at Christchurch’s new indoor stadium during next year’s IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026.

The Kiwis will begin their World Cup campaign in a blockbuster tournament opener against Australia at Allianz Stadium on October 15, while the Kiwi Ferns meet Fiji Bulikula at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on October 18.

Both New Zealand teams will then travel home to play their Round 2 matches at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, which is due to open in April.

The Kiwis will host the Cook Islands, while the Kiwi Ferns take on France, in the 30,000 roofed stadium – a new experience for many of the players.

“That will be amazing to play a game in Christchurch, let alone in a World Cup,” star fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad said. “There will be a lot of excitement and a real buzz in the air in Christchurch.‍

“Everyone down there loves their rugby league so for us to play a World Cup game in Christchurch will be amazing. It is going to packed out with black-and-white fans, and everyone is going to get behind us.”

Recent matches in Christchurch involving the Kiwis or Warriors, including the 2024 Test double-header against Australia, have attracted capacity crowds at the 17,000 seat Apollo Projects Stadium.

Kiwis second-rower Isaiah Papali’i said that playing a pool match in Christchurch would be a boost for New Zealand’s World Cup campaign.

“Playing a game at home, in our country, is what every Kiwi looks forward to and I love playing down there,” Papali’i said.

“It is going to be in the new stadium, so I am looking forward to that. I have never played in an indoor stadium so it will be something different but just being at home is a big advantage, so I am looking forward to that game.”

Both New Zealand teams will also feature in a Round 3 double-header at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast, with the Kiwis to meet Fiji Bati and the Kiwi Ferns playing the PNG Orchids.

Kiwi Ferns forward Alexis Tauaneai said she was excited about the chance to play against France in Christchurch, as well as the Bulikula and Orchids, ahead of the semi-finals and final.

"To play in the World Cup is on my bucket list," Tauaneai said. "I am looking forward to seeing all of the other countries, as well, to see how they go on the world stage.

"I reckon it will be very exciting and a different type of footy, especially with the way they play compared to how we play.

Prop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa said the World Cup was an opportunity to showcase the development of women's rugby league and the talent and skill within the Kiwis Ferns squad.

"I think the game has already gone leaps and bounds and for us Kiwi Ferns we just want to put on a good product and show what we can do as a footy team," Teakaraanga-Katoa said.

"I know the girls have been building over the last couple of World Cup campaigns to win one so if we could do that it would be awesome."    

See the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns draws for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup here.

The Kiwis' Dylan Brown and Joseph Tapine, and Kiwi Ferns' Apii Nicholls have been named as finalists for the 2025 IRL Golden Boot awards following the Pacific Championships.

Dylan Brown, who will join Newcastle next season on a 10-year contract, was a standout for the Kiwis in their successful Pacific Cup campaign, winning the tournament for the second time in three years by beating Samoa in the final with Brown earning Player of the Match.

Tapine, the Canberra Raiders captain, was consistently one of the Kiwis' best forwards and has again made the Golden Boot shortlist after being narrowly edged out by team-mate James Fisher-Harris for the award in 2023 when the Kiwis inflicted a record 30-0 defeat of Australia in the final.

Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls was one of the best female players on the international stage in 2025, leading the Kiwi Ferns from the back in a stunning comeback win over Fetū Samoa, and two losses to the current world-champion Jillaroos.

Kiwis Joseph Manu and James Fisher-Harris were consecutive Golden Boot winners in 2022 and 2023, alongside Kiwi Ferns co-captains Raecene McGregor in 2022 and Georgia Hale in 2023.

The IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches each year.

As seen on intrl.sport/article