Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has gone with Ashes hero Reece Walsh over reigning Clive Churchill Medalist James Tedesco in the coveted No.1 jersey for Australia's blockbuster World Cup opener against the Kiwis.

Walsh's last game was on August 15 against the Warriors when he suffered a syndesmosis injury that looked set to end his season.

The Roosters marched on to premiership glory and Tedesco came to the fore with a magnificent grand final display but Walsh has been given the nod in a backline that includes Test debutant Jack Bostock on one wing and Tom Trbojevic on the other.

Mitch Moses has beaten Sam Walker to the halfback role while Jacob Preston makes his international debut in the back row with David Fifita set for his Kangaroos debut off the interchange after previously representing Tonga at the 2022 World Cup.

The Kiwis, meanwhile, have Knights superstars Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai pulling on the black jersey for the first time in a backline that also features Jahrome Hughes at halfback in his first Test since 2023 and Dolphins livewire Kodi Nikorima at five-eighth.

James Fisher-Harris captains the side and leads a formidable forward pack that includes Joseph Tapine in his 26th Test match and powerhouse Rooster Naufahu Whyte in his seventh Test.

Wests Tigers skipper Api Koroisau will captain the Fiji Bati in their tournament opener against Cook Islands as he lines up at a fourth World Cup.

Knights prop Jacob Saifiti has served his four-game suspension and will play his eighth Test for the Bati while Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe and Sea Eagle Brandon Wakeham combine in the halves.

After riding a rollercoaster of emotions in 2026, Jarome Luai will co-captain Samoa along with Junior Paulo as they open their campaign against France in Sydney.

Paulo and Luai are among six survivors from the Samoa side that lost the 2022 World Cup Final to the Kangaroos along with Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Chanel Harris-Tavita.

Knights edge forwards Jermaine McEwen and Francis Manuleleua will cap off their stunning 2026 season by making their Test debuts at CommBank Stadium.

Playing at his fourth World Cup, Jason Taumalolo leads a powerhouse Tonga outfit that includes premiership-winning Rooster Rob Toia, Manly flyers Tolu Koula and Lehi Hopoate and Warriors stars Leka Halasima, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Demitric Vaimauga. Dolphins superstar Isaiya Katoa calls the shots alongside rising Tiger Latu Fainu at the scrumbase. Tonga open their campaign against England in Perth.
Roosters premiership winners Hugo Savala and Victor Radley join Herbie Farnworth, Dom Young, AJ Brimson, Morgan Knowles and Kai Pearce-Paul in Brian McDermott's squad for the opener. Dream Team winger Zach Eckersley and his Wigan teammate Sam Walters make their Test debut along with Savala and Bulldog Max King.
Ben Garcia lines up at his fourth World Cup as he skippers a France outfit that includes Souths flyer Latrell Siegwalt in the centres and Hull KR's Arthur Morgue at fullback. Five-eighth Cesar Rouge scored 20 points in France's World Cup qualifying win over Wales in Perpignan in 2024 thanks to two tries and six goals.
NRL stars Jacob Kiraz, Jason Saab, Alex Twal and Jordan Samrani will lead the Cedars into battle against the Kumuls in Port Moresby. Twal captains the side at his second World Cup after playing in 2017 while Kiraz represented Lebanon at the 2022 World Cup. Eels flyer Jordan Samrani and Wests Tigers forward Tony Sukkar make their Test debuts. Bulldogs youngster Alex Conti will steer the ship from halfback in the absence of Mitch Moses, who is representing Australia.
The PNG Kumuls are led by the evergreen Rhyse Martin at his third World Cup while centre Nene MacDonald takes part in his fourth World Cup. Cowboys speedsters Zac Laybutt and Rob Derby will look to light it up out wide while Eels forwards Luca Moretti makes his Kumuls debut having represented Italy in 2022.
Sharks centre KL Iro captains the Cook Islands side that also includes fellow NRL stars Davvy Moale, Mason Teague and Makahesi Makatoa. The backline features Toulouse flyers Paul Ulberg and Reubenn Rennie. Experienced playmaker Esan Marsters wears the No.7 jersey at his second World Cup while 37-year-old Brad Takairangi comes off the bench as he lines up at a fourth World Cup.

Australia v New Zealand

Thursday, October 15, 8.05pm AEDT at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Match Centre: Australia vs New Zealand - 15-Oct-2026

Samoa v France

Friday, October 16, 5.45pm AEDT at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Match Centre: Samoa vs France - 16-Oct-2026

PNG v Lebanon

Saturday, October 17, 3.25pm AEDT at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Match Centre: Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon - 17-Oct-2026

England v Tonga

Saturday, October 17, 8.05pm AEDT at HBF Park, Perth

Match Centre: England vs Tonga XIII - 17-Oct-2026

Fiji v Cook Islands

Sunday, October 18, 4.05pm AEDT at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Match Centre: Fiji vs Cook Islands - 18-Oct-2026