How to watch Australia vs New Zealand for FREE: Live Streams & TV Channels for RLWC opener
Watch Australia vs New Zealand FREE on 7Plus (Australia) Unlock your stream with NordVPN (save up to 75%) Australia vs New Zealand kick-off: Thu, Oct 15 — 5.05am ET / 10.05am BST / 8.05pm AEDT Australia vs New Zealand is the biggest international fixture in the sport and – barring an upset somewhere along the way – will likely serve as the Rugby League World Cup final in a month's time, so it's quite a show of confidence for Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters to rest some of his big guns for the blockbuster curtain-raiser.
He's gone with Reece Walsh over reigning Clive Churchill Medalist James Tedesco in the No.1 shirt, Mitchell Moses over Sam Walker at halfback and Kotoni Staggs over Bradman Best at centre, Tedesco, Walker and Best having featured in the 2026 NRL Grand Final at the start of the month.
It's a move that also illustrates Australia's enviable strength in depth.
Walsh, Moses and Staggs might not be the very best that Walters has to offer, but they'd walk into most of the other teams in the tournament.
Stacey Jones hasn't been able to find a spot in the Kiwi starting lineup for Erin Clark, despite the Warriors man winning the Dally M Lock of the Year award two seasons running.
That's because skipper James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota are two of the first names on the Kiwi teamsheet.
They've won just one of their past five meetings with their trans-Tasman rivals, and key to their gameplan at Sydney Football Stadium will be the power of their forward pack.
Read on as we explain how to watch Australia vs New Zealand for free in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Watch Australia vs New Zealand for FREE Yes .
Australia vs New Zealand is being shown on free-to-air Seven Network and 7Plus in Australia.
ThreeNow in New Zealand will also show the RLWC opener for free.
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Don't forget.
You will need an Australian postcode (e.g.
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