Oh my, what a let off for Australia!

New Zealand earn back-to-back sets and captain James Fisher-Harris puts in another big carry before Kodi Nikorima pokes a kick through.

Fancy footwork from Casey McLean keeps the ball out of Australian hands but he's pinged for offside.

Much better from Australia.

Reece Walsh's dancing feet earn a penalty for the home side within 10 metres. Mitchell Moses sees space on the right but his kick is just out of reach of Tom Trbojevic and punted behind by New Zealand.

But wait... there was a knock-on from Australia's Harry Grant in the build-up. New Zealand will have it.

Andrew Henderson
Former Scotland international on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Australia are looking a little clunky in their attack. It's almost hitting and hoping. I'm not going to say 'rattled' but they certainly look disrupted at the moment, Australia.

That will give Australia a bit of confidence, debutant Jack Bostock stripping Dane Gagai.

Try-scorer Casey McLean is receiving more treatment from the New Zealand medical team.

Australia make a rare foray into New Zealand's half but Harry Grant kicks it away on the fourth.

Yup, knock on. No try. A sigh of relief for Australia.

New Zealand are proving a nuisance in contesting kicks on the try line. Ronaldo Mulitalo dots down but the referee wants to send it upstairs.

No try on the field.

My word, New Zealand are so fluid. It's captain James Fisher-Harris who barrels up the middle of the park before releasing Jamayne Isaako down the right.

Australia, scrambling in defence, are penalised, so New Zealand will have another set of six. They're 12 metres out.

Australia are just starting to chuck it about a bit but it's all sideways. Stuck behind their 40-metre line on the last, Jacob Preston sends a speculative kick along the floor.

New Zealand come again.

Andrew Henderson
Former Scotland international on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

There's a lot of talk about the New Zealand forward pack, that it's the strongest in the competition. I feel they'll play a direct game through the middle third. But Australia have an abundance of skill and speed. We've got some great match-ups tonight. The full-back one is the pick for me - Ponga and Walsh.

Image source, EPA

Australia full-back Reece Walsh, playing for the first time since August, is safely into the action, making good metres under pressure with his first involvement.

Both sides are happy to trade tidy completed sets in these opening few minutes.

A calm first set from Australia. Kalyn Ponga collects the kick on his 10-metre line and booms forward. An impactful start to his New Zealand debut.

Rain is falling in Sydney as Jamayne Isaako puts boot to ball to get the Rugby League World Cup under way.

It's safely pouched by Australia.

Indulge me. Thumbs up for an Australia win, thumbs down for New Zealand.

There's a huge ovation following the Australian anthem. Reece Walsh, picked ahead of James Tedesco at full-back, waves to the crowd.

New Zealand form a huddle around captain James Fisher-Harris as they prepare for the haka. Australia stand arm in arm.

Andrew Henderson
Former Scotland international on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

With it being a 10-team World Cup, the organisers have felt it's going to create a more competitive tournament. There's an abundance of NRL talent across these nations. There are four or five nations that genuinely believe they can win this World Cup. There are fewer easy fixtures and there's less margin for error.

Image source, Getty Images

The players emerge through the flames and the Sydney crowd erupts.

Time for the pre-match ceremony and anthems.

A huge crowd is expected for this fixture with more than 40,000 fans set to be present for a battle between two World Cup heavyweights in Sydney.