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Pacific strength set to make Rugby League World Cup 'most competitive' yet

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Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 15 Oct 2026, 8:45am
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(L-R) Kurt Donoghoe of Fiji, Benjamin Garcia of France, Ben Currie of England, Junior Paulo of Samoa, Sam Walker of Australia, James Fisher-Harris of New Zealand, Addin Fonua-Blake of Tonga, Jack de Belin of PNG, Jason Saab of Lebanon and KL Iro of the Cook Islands pose for a photo during the Rugby League World Cup 2026 Official Launch at Allianz Stadium on October 10, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Former Kiwis captain Richie Barnett has rolled out the red carpet for the 17th edition of rugby league's World Cup starting tonight in Sydney. 

The 10-team men's tournament begins with defending champions Australia hosting New Zealand in Group A. 

Barnett told Mike Hosking the emergence of Samoa and Tonga as genuine contenders has been a coup for the international game. 

He says based on what they're seeing on paper, those two teams are incredible, as are the Kiwis, so he's very optimistic. 

He says it's going to be the best and most competitive World Cup he's ever seen. 

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