Rugby League World Cup opens with Australia victory and Pacific dominance

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup has commenced with high competitive intensity and significant viewership in Australia. The tournament opener saw Australia narrowly defeat New Zealand 24–22 at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, highlighted by a late hat-trick from debutant Jack Bostock.

Pacific Island nations have demonstrated significant strength in the opening round. Samoa secured a dominant 78–4 victory over France, while Tonga defeated England 30–12 in Perth. These performances underscore the rising influence of Tier Two nations within the international game.

On the commercial side, the tournament has proven to be a major broadcast success. The Seven Network reported a massive audience of 1.73 million viewers for the Australia–New Zealand match, marking a significant ratings victory and validating the commercial appeal of international rugby league on free-to-air television.