Australia beat New Zealand 32-12 to win fourth straight Rugby League World Cup

Australia beat New Zealand 32-12 in Brisbane on Sunday to win their fourth successive men’s Rugby League World Cup and their 13th title overall.

Liam Martin scored twice as the Kangaroos built a 24-6 half-time lead at Suncorp Stadium. Two further tries after the break put the final beyond New Zealand, whose hopes of repeating their 2008 triumph faded against Australia’s clinical attack.

The victory completed an Australian double after the Jillaroos won the women’s final earlier in the day.

Australia make a flying start in World Cup final

New Zealand’s afternoon began badly when the opening kick-off went out on the full. Australia immediately punished the mistake, with Martin crossing after just 80 seconds.

It was the fastest try in a Rugby League World Cup final, according to ABC’s coverage from Brisbane.

That opening set the tone. Australia took their chances efficiently, with Martin adding a second try as they established an 18-point advantage by the interval.

Casey McLean scored New Zealand’s only first-half try, leaving the Kiwis with a substantial deficit to overturn.

New Zealand cannot find a way back

Australia maintained their grip after the break, adding two more tries to secure another world title.

New Zealand’s attacking threats struggled to find enough space to change the contest. Isaiah Papali’i crossed in the 65th minute, but it was a consolation rather than the start of a comeback.

Jack Bostock also stood out in the Kangaroos’ performance, with Sky Sports highlighting his contribution alongside Martin.

Four straight titles for the Kangaroos

New Zealand remain the last side to beat Australia in a World Cup final, having won the 2008 decider.

The Kangaroos have since claimed the title in 2013, 2017, the delayed 2021 tournament played in 2022, and now 2026. Sunday’s win extends their record to 13 titles from the competition’s 16 editions.

For New Zealand, a promising tournament ended with a final in which they spent almost the entire afternoon chasing the game. Australia’s early advantage gave the defending champions control, and they never surrendered it.

Australia complete World Cup double

The men’s victory followed Australia’s 34-10 win over New Zealand in the women’s final at the same ground.

Jaime Chapman scored a first-half hat-trick as the Jillaroos also secured their fourth successive title. Both Australian teams built commanding leads before half-time to finish the tournament as champions.

Our Rugby League World Cup final guide covered the women’s decider and the Brisbane double-header.