The Kiwis will face defending champions Australia in next year’s Rugby League World Cup, drawn together in a tough Group A alongside Fiji and the Cook Islands.
New Zealand will kick off the entire tournament against Australia in Sydney on 15 October 2026, before completing three round-robin matches within the group.
The top two Group A teams will advance directly to the semifinals, putting strong early pressure on the Kiwis to perform.
A home double-header in Christchurch on 25 October will see New Zealand meet the Cook Islands, and the tournament will conclude with the finals in Brisbane on 15 November.
