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Commentary of Australia v New Zealand is available on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

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Australia have won 107 of their previous 144 meetings with New Zealand and 18 from 20 at World Cups.

The Kangaroos ended New Zealand's hopes of capturing a second World Cup title in the semi-finals in 2022, edging a 16-14 thriller at Elland Road.

Since then, the teams have faced each other on three occasions. Australia won in Melbourne in 2023 and Christchurch in 2024 either side of a 30-0 victory for New Zealand in a Pacific Championship match in Hamilton - Australia's only defeat in 15 matches since the start of 2022.

New Zealand have not won against Australia on their travels since 2015.

Image source, Getty Images

Dane Gagai, who turns 36 next January, becomes the second-oldest Test debutant in New Zealand history today.

A World Cup winner with Australia in 2017, he was cleared to switch his international allegiance prior to the NRL Grand Final earlier this month.

His Newcastle Knights team-mate Kalyn Ponga will line up at full-back against the Kangaroos, capping his ambition to play for the Kiwis after representing the Maori All Stars.

But if New Zealand are going to deliver a statement victory in the opening match of the World Cup, you'd imagine their forwards will have plenty to do with it.

With Naufahu Whyte, captain James Fisher-Harris, Erin Clark - all named in the Dally M team of the year, Joseph Tapine, and Moses Leota in their ranks, the Kiwis have arguably the best forward pack in the international game. In a display of their strength, Whyte and Clark only make the interchange bench.

“I have full confidence and belief that this forward pack can dominate any forward pack in this game," Whyte said.

“We just have to go out there and do what we’ve been doing this whole year individually, and then bring it together as a pack. I would love to see who goes toe-to-toe with us.”

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport

Rugby league players are tough aren't they? When you talk about commitment to the cause it is exemplified by Isaah Yeo.

The Australia captain will almost certainly miss the start of the next NRL season after electing to delay surgery on his injured pectoral muscle in order play in this year’s World Cup.

And along with Pat Carrigan and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Yeo will be a key man for Australia to front up New Zealand's powerhouse pack.

Image source, Getty Images

When you can pick between Reece Walsh and James Tedesco at full-back and can call upon the likes of Cameron Munster, Mitchell Moses, Tom Dearden and Sam Walker in the halves, with Nathan Cleary out injured, Australia boss Kevin Walters has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal.

And the St Helens-bound coach is intent on using the group games as an audition to get his team right for the semi-finals.

Walsh - who hasn't played since mid-August through injury - gets the nod at full-back here, while debutant Jack Bostock is on one wing and Tom Trbojevic on the other.

Moses has also beaten Walker to the number seven role while Jacob Preston makes his international debut in the back row.

"To be honest, I haven't decided on that (full-back) position yet; that's why we're here, and they'll both get an opportunity," Walters said.

"They're both Clive Churchill medallists, the last two, so I look at it that way. I'm very fortunate to have both of them in the team.

"They're different players, but I love what they both bring to the team. Teddy's the more experienced custodian and Reece is on the way up as such."

Australia: Walsh; Bostock, Mitchell, Staggs, Trbojevic; Munster, Moses; Carrigan, Grant, Fa'asuamaleaui, Preston, Martin, Yeo (c).

Interchanges: Dearden, Murray, Cotter, Koloamatangi, Fifita, Best.

New Zealand: Ponga; Isaako, Gagai; McLean, Mulitalo, Nikorima, Hughes; Fisher-Harris (c), Marshall-King, Leota, Papali'i, Nikora, Tapine.

Interchanges: Martin, Whyte, Clark, Willison, Nicoll-Klokstad, Kini.

Image source, Getty Images

Only three teams have won the Men's Rugby League World Cup - Australia, Great Britain, and New Zealand.

Australia are eyeing a record-extending 13th title and their fourth in a row, having lifted the trophy in 2013, 2017, and 2022 (postponed from 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic).

The Kangaroos are unbeaten in their past 18 World Cup matches.

The last team to beat them? New Zealand, who completed a 34-20 victory in the 2008 final in Brisbane to capture their first - and to date, only - World Cup crown.

Image source, Getty Images

But now it's time to turn our attention to today's tournament opener in Sydney and the meeting of pre-tournament favourites Australia and New Zealand.

• 17 October - England v Tonga (10:05 BST, Perth)
• 24 October - England v France (07:35, Perth)
• 30 October - England v Papua New Guinea (09:05, Wollongong)

Although England are the only home nation in action in the men's competition, there's plenty of interest elsewhere.

England and Wales are competing in the Women's Rugby League World Cup and meet in Perth on Saturday.

Defending champions England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland are among the eight teams in the wheelchair competition, which gets under way on 30 October, while England will also be represented in the Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup.

You can find all of the fixtures here.

Okay, strap in.

10 teams are competing for the men's trophy.

Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, and New Zealand make up Pool A, with each team playing three matches. So far, so simple.

Pool B/C is a little more complicated. It contains six teams - England (B), France (C), Lebanon (B), Papua New Guinea (C), Samoa (B), and Tonga (C). Each Pool B nation will play three teams from Pool C, with results put into a combined table.

The top two teams in Pool A and Pool B/C advance to the semi-finals.

Yes, hello and welcome to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

There are more than 50 matches across four competitions (men's, women's wheelchair, and physical disability) for you to enjoy over the next four weeks or so.

We're kicking things off in style in the men's competition with a blockbuster meeting between 12-time champions Australia and fellow hosts New Zealand - the only other side to get their hands on the trophy this century.

Kick-off in Sydney is a little over 30 minutes away.