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Find your Sport Nation frequencyThe Finals Countdown: Can the Kiwis and Ferns topple Australia for World Cup glory?
Sport Nation •  November 11th, 2026 10:03 am
Australia and New Zealand will clash in the women's and men's Rugby League World Cup 2026 finals | Photo: Jason O’Brien/AAP
The 2026 edition of the Rugby League World Cup has reached its boiling point, and it’s a familiar trans-Tasman battle to decide the ultimate champions.
In the latest episode of The Finals Countdown, Sport Nation hosts Sam Ackerman and Mitch James break down a massive double-header with the Kiwis taking on the Kangaroos, and the Kiwi Ferns facing the Jillaroos.
The Kiwis head into the men's final as $2.20 outsiders against a formidable Australian squad with kick-off Sunday 9.35pm (NZT). Despite dominating stretches in recent encounters, New Zealand will need a ruthless edge to convert pressure into points against a Kangaroos lineup boasting the likes of Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs, and Isaah Yeo.
Harry Grant and Jack Bostock of the Australian Kangaroos alongside Jamayne Isaako and Kalyn Ponga of the New Zealand Kiwis | Photo: Jason O’Brien/AAP
The Kiwis are bolstered by the return of Ronaldo Mulitalo from a one-game suspension, adding crucial firepower to a squad desperate to claim the trophy and bounce back from their opening round loss to the Aussies. Plus, Kalyn Ponga once again matches up against Walsh following his speedy 23-day recovery from a broken arm in their previous meeting.
Meanwhile, the Kiwi Ferns face an even steeper mountain in the women's decider.
Echoing the battles of the 2008 World Cup, the Ferns ($7.75) will need to pull off a historic upset against a Jillaroos side currently sitting at staggeringly short $1.09 odds.
Beyond the lineups, Ackerman and James tackled the elephant in the room: officiating.
Following controversial semi-final refereeing, the hosts argued that an Australian referee would actually be preferable to an English official, purely to maintain the natural flow of the game rather than bogging down the final in technicalities.
Watch the full episode via the Sport Nation YouTube below:
All betcha odds are current at the time of publishing - R18, please gamble responsibly.
