Source: Radio New Zealand
The Kiwis celebrate Phoenix Crossland of the Kiwis try (C) during New Zealand Kiwis v Tonga XIII, round 3 of the Pacific Championships at Eden Park. Photosport
The Kiwis have been drawn with defending champions Australia for next year’s Rugby League World Cup.
They are in a four-team Group A along with Fiji and Cook Islands.
England, Samoa and Lebanon are in Group B, while Tonga, Papua New Guinea and France are in Group C.
Group A teams will each play three matches against the other teams in Group A. Group B and C teams will each play three matches against the teams in the adjacent group.
The top two teams from Group A will progress to the Semi-Finals, while the top two teams from a combined table of Group B and Pool C will progress to the Semi-Finals.
New Zealand and Australia will meet in the tournament opener in Sydney on 15 October, 2026.
The Kiwi Ferns are in Group B of the women’s tournament along with Papua New Guinea, France and Fiji, while Australia, England, Samoa and Wales are in group A.
Each team will play three matches against the other teams in their Group. The top two teams from each Group will progress to the Semi-Finals.
There is a double-header in Christchurch on 25 October with the Kiwis playing Cook Islands and the Kiwi Ferns playing France.
The finals will be played in Brisbane on 15 November.
Kiwis’ World Cup draw
Kiwis v Australia: October 15, Sydney
Kiwis v Cook Islands, October 25, Christchurch
Kiwis v Fiji, October 31, Gold Coast
Kiwi Ferns’ World Cup draw
Kiwi Ferns v Fiji, October 18, Newcastle
Kiwi Ferns v France, October 25, Christchurch
Kiwi Ferns v Papua New Guinea, October 31, Gold Coast
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
