Kangaroos vs Kiwis: Why history points to only one outcome in the Rugby League World Cup opener

Key points

• The Kangaroos face New Zealand in tonight's 2026 Rugby League World Cup opener in Sydney, with history strongly in their favour. Australia is chasing an 18-year World Cup run and has won its last 18 tournament matches.
• New Zealand has not beaten Australia on Australian soil since 2015.
• The Kangaroos have not lost in Sydney since 2006, and have won all seven Tests between the two nations at the Sydney Football Stadium.