Rugby League
Rugby League World Cup Outright Predictions: 4/5 Kangaroos Set Standard As They Chase Fourth Successive Crown
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup lands with a proper heavyweight feel, because Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are sharing hosting duties.
The opening men’s match is Australia against New Zealand in Sydney, which is about as clean a first statement as this competition could ask for.
That gives the tournament an immediate pressure point: title holders are being tested from day one, and the early fixtures should tell us quickly whether the rugby league betting favourites are as secure as they look on paper.
Australia Still Set the Pace
Australia (4/5) remain the obvious starting point in the men’s draw, even with a few selection questions hanging over them.
Nathan Cleary is missing, Cameron Munster and Mitchell Moses are the new halves pairing, and the squad does not include a specialist winger, with Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic expected to handle wide responsibilities.
Even so, the Kangaroos enter the competition as the team everyone else has to chase.
New Zealand are the cleanest threat to that status because they get the tournament moving in the opening game and have enough class across the field to make that fixture a genuine marker.
Tonga are the most interesting outsider if you want a side with upset potential, because their path depends heavily on the result against England and the power they can bring through the middle.
Betting Angle
A conservative view is to keep Australia onside for the title market and look for match-by-match value elsewhere, especially in games where elite sides face lighter opposition.
Jamayne Isaako is a logical top try scorer pick because New Zealand and Australia both have group fixtures that could turn into score-heavy wins, and tournament try charts often tilt toward players who can cash in during one one-sided outing.
Harry Grant also stands out as a player of the tournament selection. His control from dummy-half matters even more when a side’s spine is still settling, and he arrives with strong form and a reputation as one of the most influential hookers in the game.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
