Australia v New Zealand in Both World Cup Finals: Kick-Off Times, the 2008 Upset and What to Know
Australia will play New Zealand in both Rugby League World Cup finals at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November. The Kangaroos face the Kiwis in the men’s final, and the Jillaroos face the Kiwi Ferns in the women’s.
Australia won both of their semi-finals on Sunday: the Kangaroos beat Samoa 44-12 and the Jillaroos beat Fiji 30-14. New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 and Samoa 32-0 on Saturday.
Kick-off times
BBC Sport gives the women’s final at 05:10 GMT and the men’s at 08:35 GMT. In local times:
| Where | Women’s final | Men’s final |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane (AEST) | 3.10pm | 6.35pm |
| Sydney, Melbourne (AEDT) | 4.10pm | 7.35pm |
| New Zealand (NZDT) | 6.10pm | 9.35pm |
| UK (GMT) | 5.10am | 8.35am |
Our guide to watching the World Cup lists the broadcasters in each country.
The men’s final
Australia have won the last three men’s World Cups and are in their 16th final in a row. They beat New Zealand 24-22 in the opening game of this tournament, in Sydney on 15 October, the night Kalyn Ponga broke his arm.
The two sides met in the finals of 2000, 2008 and 2013. The 2008 final was also at Suncorp Stadium, and the Kiwis won it 34-20, one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, NRL.com reported. It is still New Zealand’s only men’s title.
Both sides arrive in form. Reece Walsh scored a hat-trick against Samoa, and Ponga had a hand in four of New Zealand’s six tries against Tonga. New Zealand’s one injury worry is prop Naufahu Whyte’s ankle.
The women’s final
The Jillaroos are chasing a fourth title in a row. They beat the Kiwi Ferns 54-4 in the 2022 final at Old Trafford. New Zealand won the first three women’s World Cups, between 2000 and 2008, and this is their seventh final in a row.
The Kiwi Ferns have not lost at this tournament and conceded 24 points in their three group games before keeping Samoa scoreless. Australia were pushed hard by Fiji, who led 8-0, before Abbi Church’s four tries took them through.
The last time New Zealand had both teams in the finals on Australian soil was 2008, and they won both. Every result from the tournament is on our World Cup table.
