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Live sport on SN this weekendNew Zealand prop's shot at unique World Cup history
Jack Brady, AAP • November 13th, 2026 2:48 pm
Former Jillaroo Shannon Mato is trying to create rugby league history with New Zealand | Photo: Darren Pateman/AAP
The decision to represent her country of birth has provided New Zealand forward Shannon Mato a rare opportunity of achieving a rugby league first: winning consecutive World Cups with different nations.
The Kiwi Ferns prop on Sunday will line up against Australia in the women's World Cup final, four years after winning the tournament with the Jillaroos in their 54-4 thrashing of New Zealand at Old Trafford.
Kiwis centre Dane Gagai, who won the 2017 World Cup with Australia, is gunning for the same double later that night at Suncorp Stadium.
Soccer player Louis Monti narrowly missed the feat when he lost and won successive World Cups, with Argentina and Italy, almost 100 years ago.
Mato, if successful, will be the first to do it in consecutive tournaments in any sport's pinnacle event.
Shannon Mato offloads for Australia in the Pacific Championships final against New Zealand in 2024 | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
Mato, who moved to Australia from New Zealand in her teenage years, was at pains to express her gratitude towards the relaxed eligibility criteria for tier-one nations.
"It's a privilege to be here," Mato told AAP.
"I'm proud and honoured to put on the black and white jersey. I have been crying my heart out during the anthems, and it means more than just a game to me.
"I am so grateful for the opportunity Australia has given myself and my family throughout my life. It was awesome winning the World Cup with them last time.
"I can't take anything away from my experience playing for Australia. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here playing now.
Shannon Mato remains grateful to Australia for providing her big break | Photo: Scott Radford-Chisholm/AAP
"But at the same time, I'm so hungry to get back to the top."
The 28-year-old is confident her team can get the job done.
"There's a connection that people don't see behind the scenes ... there's so much love here," she said.
Mato credits becoming a mother for the first time as her turning point, with the eligibility rules changing five months after the birth of son, Charnze-Pati.
"When you live in Australia, because you're not surrounded by your language and people, it's been somewhat of an identity crisis for me," Mato said.
"I've been a different person since my son was born. I want my son to grow up knowing another tongue and it only made sense for me to come home.
"That's why I was willing to take this next step. It's for our people. It's for my son. It's for myself. For my family, and it's even more special now we're in the final."
Shannon Mato on juggling first-time motherhood & NRLW | The Six Again Podcast
