Official team lists and updates for the 2026 Men's Rugby League World Cup Final.
NOTE: The World Cup will be played under NRL rules with six players on the interchange bench. Only four of those players may be used as per NRL rules.
Australia: Having hit their straps in a big way against Samoa in the semi-final, the Kangaroos stick with the same 19-man squad for the decider. After being a late call-up onto the six-man interchange last Sunday, Sam Walker again gets the nod alongside Ethan Strange, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter and Latrell Mitchell. The Australian side contains eight players who were part of the 2022 World Cup Final win over Samoa - Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Pat Carrigan, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Cameron Murray.
New Zealand: The Kiwis are boosted by the return of winger Ronaldo Mulitalo from a one-game for the high shot on Fiji's Ronald Philitoga at Cbus Super Stadium in Round 3. Mulitalo was sent off and suspended for one match, ruling him out of the semi-final win over Tonga. His return sees Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad drop back to the reserves. Premiership winning Rooster Naufahu Whyte has been named on the bench despite failing to finish the semi-final due to an ankle injury. Should Whyte fail to come up then his replacement would most likely be Leo Thompson.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.