Australia beat New Zealand 24-22 in Rugby League World Cup opener; Bostock scores hat-trick

Australia beat New Zealand 24-22 in the opening match of the Rugby League World Cup in Sydney on Thursday.

Jack Bostock, making his debut for Australia, scored three tries. Australia full-back Reece Walsh made a try-saving tackle on Kalyn Ponga in the first half. He later scored a long-range solo try. It was Walsh's first match in about eight weeks after a spell on the sidelines.

Ponga, a Newcastle Knights player, scored two tries for New Zealand. He sustained an arm injury during the match.

Match details

According to BBC Sport, Bostock scored the winning try late in the match. The Guardian reported that the match was played at a sold-out Allianz Stadium, which holds more than 40,000 people. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include an official attendance figure.

According to The Guardian, Casey McLean scored New Zealand's opening try. Bostock and Tom Trbojevic scored Australia's first-half tries, Trbojevic after a run of about 90 metres. The Guardian placed Walsh's tackle on Ponga in the 36th minute. The reports do not include a full scoring breakdown.

BBC Sport reported that Walsh had been recovering from an ankle injury and was seen vomiting during the match. It also reported that Mitchell Moses left the field shortly after half-time with a calf issue. The reports do not describe the severity of that injury.

According to BBC Sport, Ponga was hurt in a tackle with Cameron Munster. He played on for about 20 minutes before leaving shortly before Bostock's winning try. The Guardian reported that it was Ponga's international debut for New Zealand, made through his Maori descent.

What is disputed

The two outlets describe Ponga's injury differently. BBC Sport reported a suspected or possible fracture, with scans due and no decision yet on his status. The Guardian reported that Ponga has a broken arm that will rule him out of the tournament. The reports do not include scan results or an official New Zealand team statement.

What each side says

BBC Sport quoted Australia head coach Kevin Walters as saying: "Walshy was very good tonight, having not played for eight weeks." Walters added: "He's cramping and vomiting and all sorts of things. He didn't have the energy to kick the goal."

Australia captain Isaah Yeo was quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "For Reece to come back in a contest like that with some of those plays is a massive effort after not playing for eight weeks."

New Zealand coach Stacey Jones was quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "It's a possible fracture of the arm, but he's going to go for scans and we're not going to make a call on him right now where he's at." He added: "He couldn't catch the ball or anything like that. He was in a lot of discomfort."

Tournament context

According to The Guardian, the tournament has been reduced from 16 to 10 nations. Australia stepped in as hosts after France was originally due to stage it in 2025. Australia have won nine of the last 10 World Cups. Their next match is against Fiji on Sunday week.

Analysis

The narrow margin suggests the opener was closely contested, though one match offers limited evidence about either team's prospects. The key open question is Ponga's fitness. If scans confirm a fracture, New Zealand may need to reorganise their back line. If the injury proves less serious, his status could change. The two outlets' accounts differ, and an official update from New Zealand would clarify the situation. For Australia, Walsh's return after about eight weeks out and Bostock's debut add selection options. Their fitness and form in later matches remain to be seen.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.