Kiwis Rugby League Next Game: Rugby League World Cup 2026 Fixtures
When do the Kiwis play next at the Rugby League World Cup 2026, and where can you watch them?
They play just three pool games, so every date and kick-off time matters.
The Kiwis’ next game is against the Cook Islands on Sunday 25 October 2026 at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, kicking off at 6:05pm NZ time.
They lost their opener 24-22 to Australia in Sydney, and finish the pool against Fiji on the Gold Coast on 31 October.
Below, you’ll find every Kiwis fixture in NZ, Sydney and UK time, the TV channels, and the path to the final.
We update this page after every match, so it always shows their next game.
Quick Answer: Kiwis Rugby League Next Game
- Next game: Kiwis v Cook Islands, Sunday 25 October 2026
- Kick-off: 6:05pm NZ time (4:05pm Sydney, 5:05am UK)
- Venue: One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
- Watch in NZ: Sky Sport and Sky Sport Now
- Group: Group A with Australia, Fiji and the Cook Islands
- Last updated: 15 October 2026
When Do the Kiwis Play Next?
The Kiwis play the Cook Islands on Sunday 25 October at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, kicking off at 6:05pm NZ time.
They lost a thrilling opener 24-22 to Australia in Sydney, despite two tries from debut fullback Kalyn Ponga.
Ponga left the field with a suspected broken arm. The Christchurch game is the Kiwis’ only home match of the tournament.
Kiwis Fixtures 2026
| Date | Match | Venue | NZ time | Sydney | UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 15 Oct | Kiwis v Australia | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 10:05pm | 8:05pm | 10:05am |
| Sun 25 Oct | Kiwis v Cook Islands | One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch | 6:05pm | 4:05pm | 5:05am |
| Sat 31 Oct | Kiwis v Fiji | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | 5:30pm | 3:30pm | 4:30am |
For every other match in your time zone, see our Rugby League World Cup 2026 kick-off times guide.
What Time Do the Kiwis Play Australia?
Kiwis v Australia kicks off at 10:05pm NZ time on Thursday 15 October, which is 8:05pm in Sydney and 10:05am in the UK.
Fans in Tonga and Samoa watch at 10:05pm and 8:05pm local time. See the full schedule on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 schedule page.
What Channel Are the Kiwis On?
- New Zealand: Sky Sport, with streaming on Sky Sport Now
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports
Kiwi fans travelling to Australia can keep using Sky Sport Now with a VPN like NordVPN, which also protects you on public Wi-Fi. (We may earn a commission.)
For other countries, see our guide to watching the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Kiwis v Australia Rugby League: Head to Head
The Kiwis’ biggest World Cup moment against Australia came in the 2008 final in Brisbane, when they won 34–20.
They are the top two world-ranked teams, and Australia go in as favourites. See our who will win predictions.
Kiwis v Cook Islands and Kiwis v Fiji
The Cook Islands match at the new One New Zealand Stadium is the Kiwis’ only home game. It’s a double-header with the Kiwi Ferns v France.
The Fiji game on the Gold Coast is the one to watch. Fiji eliminated the Kiwis in a 2017 play-off, and their 2022 meeting was decided by a late Joey Manu try.
Kiwis Team List v Australia
Stacey Jones named the Kiwis’ team for the opener on Tuesday 13 October, as published on NRL.com.
| No. | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalyn Ponga | Fullback |
| 2 | Jamayne Isaako | Wing |
| 3 | Dane Gagai | Centre |
| 4 | Casey McLean | Centre |
| 5 | Ronaldo Mulitalo | Wing |
| 6 | Kodi Nikorima | Five-eighth |
| 7 | Jahrome Hughes | Halfback |
| 8 | James Fisher-Harris | Prop |
| 9 | Jeremy Marshall-King | Hooker |
| 10 | Moses Leota | Prop |
| 11 | Isaiah Papali’i | Second row |
| 12 | Briton Nikora | Second row |
| 13 | Joseph Tapine | Lock |
| 14 | Te Maire Martin | Bench |
| 15 | Naufahu Whyte | Bench |
| 16 | Erin Clark | Bench |
| 17 | Xavier Willison | Bench |
Kalyn Ponga makes his Kiwis debut at fullback, and Dane Gagai debuts in the centres.
Kodi Nikorima partners Jahrome Hughes in the halves, with Te Maire Martin on the bench.
James Fisher-Harris captains the side. See the Kangaroos’ team in our Australia vs New Zealand preview.
Kiwis Rugby League World Cup 2026 Squad
Coach Stacey Jones named a 23-man squad on 6 October, captained by James Fisher-Harris. Four players could debut: Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai, Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith.
See every player on our New Zealand Kiwis squad page. Phoenix Crossland is suspended for all three pool games. See the injury list.
Kiwi Ferns Fixtures at the Rugby League World Cup 2026
| Date | Match | City |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 18 Oct | Kiwi Ferns v Fiji | Newcastle |
| Sun 25 Oct | Kiwi Ferns v France | Christchurch |
| Sat 31 Oct | Kiwi Ferns v PNG | Gold Coast |
See their squad on our Kiwi Ferns World Cup squad page.
Wheel Kiwis Fixtures at the Wheelchair World Cup
The Wheel Kiwis make their World Cup debut in Pool B, playing Australia on 31 October, France on 3 November and Scotland on 6 November.
All matches are at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong. See our Wheelchair World Cup guide.
Can the Kiwis Reach the Rugby League World Cup 2026 Final?
Yes. The top two teams in Group A reach the semi-finals on 7 and 8 November, in Newcastle and Sydney.
The Final is on Sunday 15 November at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. See our Rugby League World Cup final guide.
Kiwis Rugby League World Cup 2026 Results
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Kiwis v Australia | 15 October, Australia 24-22 New Zealand |
| Kiwis v Cook Islands | 25 October, to be played |
| Kiwis v Fiji | 31 October, to be played |
Kiwis Rugby League World Cup Tickets
Tickets start from $19 AUD, and Ticketmaster is the only authorised seller. See our tickets guide for how to buy safely.
Heading to Sydney or the Gold Coast? An Australia eSIM from Airalo keeps your phone working from the moment you land.
Kiwis Rugby League Next Game: FAQ
When do the Kiwis play next?
The Kiwis play the Cook Islands on Sunday 25 October 2026 at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, kicking off at 6:05pm NZ time.
Who do the Kiwis play at the Rugby League World Cup 2026?
Australia on 15 October, the Cook Islands on 25 October and Fiji on 31 October, all in Group A.
What time do the Kiwis play Australia?
10:05pm NZ time on Thursday 15 October, which is 8:05pm in Sydney and 10:05am in the UK.
Where can I watch the Kiwis in New Zealand?
Every Kiwis match is live on Sky Sport and streams on Sky Sport Now.
Are the Kiwis playing at home at the World Cup?
Yes, once. The Kiwis play the Cook Islands at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on 25 October 2026.
Conclusion
The Kiwis’ World Cup is short and sharp: Australia in Sydney on 15 October, the Cook Islands at home on 25 October, and Fiji on the Gold Coast on 31 October.
Bookmark this page, because we update the next game and results after every match.
For official tournament news, visit rlwc2026.com and NRL.com.
Kiwis Schedule Updates
- 15 October 2026: Added the 24-22 loss to Australia. Next game updated to the Cook Islands on 25 October.
- 8 October 2026: Page published with the Kiwis’ three pool fixtures and kick-off times.
