Australia has beaten New Zealand in both Rugby League World Cup finals, with the Jillaroos and the Kangaroos winning at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November 2026.
The women’s final was played first, in hot weather, with the Jillaroos beating the Kiwi Ferns 34-10. Later that night, the Kangaroos beat the Kiwis 32-12 in front of a huge crowd.
Women’s final: Jillaroos 34, Kiwi Ferns 10
Jillaroos winger Jaime Chapman scored just over two minutes into the game, and went on to score a hat-trick (three tries) in the first half. She was named player of the match, and her 13 tries at the tournament equalled the record for the most tries at a single World Cup.
Australia scored all of its points before half-time. The Kiwi Ferns played better in the second half, but the gap was too big to close.
It was the Jillaroos’ fourth World Cup title in a row, and a happy farewell for prop Millie Elliott, who played her last ever game of rugby league. The Kiwi Ferns last won the World Cup in 2008, 18 years ago.
Men’s final: Kangaroos 32, Kiwis 12
It was a tough night for the Kiwis. Australia’s Liam Martin scored a try after just two minutes, the fastest try ever scored in a World Cup final.
Jack Bostock was the star for Australia, crossing the try-line twice. It was his eighth try of the tournament, and he was named player of the match.
New Zealand’s Casey McLean also had something to cheer about, scoring his ninth try of the tournament. Kiwis goal-kicker Jamayne Isaako made history too. His conversion took him to 227 Test points, a new New Zealand record that beats Shaun Johnson’s old mark of 225.
The Kangaroos have now won the World Cup four times in a row, and 13 times in total. They have also won their last 23 World Cup matches in a row.
It was a special, if bittersweet, night for Australian veteran James Tedesco, who played the final six minutes of what was announced as his last ever Test match.
Both Kiwi teams can hold their heads high. The Kiwis reached their first World Cup final since 2013, the Kiwi Ferns made their seventh final in a row, and both will be looking to go one better next time.
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