Hello and welcome to the final of the Rugby League World Cup! It feels like it’s been going for most of this year at least, but at last here we are at its conclusion. I don’t think you’ll find too many people are surprised with the fact that we have ended up with an Australia v New Zealand final.
The Jillaroos are naturally the favourites, having only lost one of their previous 12 matches to the Kiwi Ferns, the loss taking place in 2023 – so it’s been a long time between drinks.
The last three World Cup finals have featured these two teams and the Jillaroos have won all three. The last time the Kiwi Ferns won a World Cup final was 2008, when they had a dominant 34-0 win against the Jillaroos at Lang Park, Brisbane – coincidentally the same venue where today’s final is being played. Fun fact – when the Kiwi Ferns last won a World Cup final, Jillaroos’ five-eighth Jesse Southwell was just three years old.
However, while the Jillaroos go in as the favourites, don’t discount the Kiwi Ferns, who will be determined to create an upset. Stacey Waaka has her sights on becoming the first ever player to win both a rugby union 15s and a rugby league world cup, which will be quite the achievement if she manages it. Kiwi Ferns’ halfback Raecene McGregor is also an extremely smart and talented player, who will certainly have some plans to try to undo the Jillaroos’ dominance.
There’s plenty to discuss, so let’s get into it!
