The Japan Times - Holders Australia drawn with New Zealand in Rugby League World Cup

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Holders Australia drawn with New Zealand in Rugby League World Cup / Photo: Oli SCARFF - AFP

Holders Australia drawn with New Zealand in Rugby League World Cup

SPORTS 23.11.2025

Holders Australia were drawn Sunday in the same group as fellow heavyweights New Zealand for next year's Rugby League World Cup, with Brisbane announced as host of both the men's and women's finals.

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The tournament was originally scheduled to be played this year, but host nation France pulled out due to financial constraints.

The International Rugby League (IRL) shifted the event to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea with the action now set for October 15-November 15 in 2026.

It will be a slimmed-down competition featuring 10 men's, eight women's and eight wheelchair teams.

"International rugby league has never been more competitive and there will be genuine superstars across all groups and stages in this tournament," said IRL chairman Troy Grant.

"With the popularity of rugby league soaring to unprecedented heights, the international game is riding a wave of momentum into what will be the biggest global showcase the game has seen."

Twelve-time men's winners Australia are in Group A alongside New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands.

England headline Group B with Samoa and Lebanon, while Tonga, Papua New Guinea and France fill out Group C.

Group A teams will play matches against each other.

Group B and C teams will each play three matches against the teams in the adjacent group, so Group B teams will play against Group C teams only, and vice-versa.

The top two from Group A will make the semi-finals, as will the top two from a combined table of Group B and Group C.

Matches will be played in Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong, Gold Coast and Townsville.

All six women's World Cup titles have been shared between Australia and New Zealand.

They were drawn in opposite groups with Australia alongside England, Samoa and Wales while New Zealand were pitted with Papua New Guinea, France and Fiji.

Each team will play the others in their group with the top two progressing to the semi-finals.

Men's tournament

Group A - Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands

Group B - England, Samoa, Lebanon

Group C - Tonga, Papua New Guinea, France

Women's tournament

Group A - Australia, England, Samoa, Wales

Group B - New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, France, Fiji

M.Matsumoto--JT