Australia and New Zealand battle in World Cup opener featuring Walsh and Ponga

In their 2026 Rugby League World Cup opener on October 15, Australia faced New Zealand in a tightly contested match, ultimately winning 24-22. The game showcased a notable performance by Australian fullback Reece Walsh, who was instrumental in Australia's success, facing off against New Zealand's Kalyn Ponga. The contest saw Ponga score two tries but unfortunately exit the match with a suspected injury after a tackle. The fullback duel between Walsh and Ponga drew significant attention, highlighting their respective impacts on the game.

• 2:30 AMZero Tackle NRL — Why Walsh vs Ponga was one of the greatest fullback battles of all-time