Holders Australia drawn with New Zealand in Rugby League World Cup / Photo: © AFP
-
Kenyans get creative to join manga cosplay craze
-
Kenyan farmers turn to bugs as organic demand grows
-
Pant, Jurel half-centuries take India past 400 in Sri Lanka Test
-
'His feet are his pillars': Nepal para swimmer gives all for Asian glory
-
Migrants, rescue ships face threats, harassment at sea: aid group
-
New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s
-
UEFA's Ceferin tells Infantino to go, but 'not interested' in replacing him
-
Hyundai union back in wage talks after rare full-day strike
-
Oil falls as Trump pledges economic war on Iran
-
Shein grapples with EU backlash, but clients keep coming
-
Yamashita marches to nine-shot win in LPGA Canadian Women's Open
-
Key facts about Chinese-founded fast-fashion giant Shein
-
Gauff powers past Pegula to win US Open warm-up in Cincinnati
-
Shein to make market debut in Hong Kong in September
-
Japan's Olympic figure skating heroes to wed
-
Fils tops Tiafoe to claim first ATP Masters title in Cincinnati
-
Cummins eyes ODI return ahead of 'big' South Africa Test series
-
Gauff powers past Pegula to win Cincinnati WTA 1000 crown
-
India police used excessive force during protests: Amnesty
-
Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low
-
Rookie La Sasso wins LIV season-ender as tour's future in doubt
-
Syria says Israel talks addressed de-escalation, staying out of Israel-Turkey tensions
-
Fils tops Tiafoe to claim first ATP Masters title in Cincinnati bb/amz
-
Tourism boom pushes limits of Athens air traffic control
-
Clark fends off McIlroy to win BMW Championship
-
Liga holders Barcelona crush Elche, Atletico salvage Villarreal draw
-
Raphinha, Lopez hit braces as Barcelona trounce Elche
-
Spain's World Cup hero Torres saves PSG's blushes at Rennes
-
Macron hosts Saudi crown prince for visit ranging from esports to Mideast
-
Swiss forward Embolo joins Atlanta United
-
Jamieson gets Trump call after ending 14-year golf title drought
-
Former cricket captains appeal to Pakistan over Khan health care
-
Norwegian King Harald's health has 'deteriorated': palace
-
Latest 'Spider-Man' tops American box office for 4th weekend
-
Man City snatch late win in Maresca debut, Iraola's Liverpool rescue dramatic draw
-
Szoboszlai's last-gasp leveller rescues Liverpool in Newcastle draw
-
Trump takes starring role at Washington's IndyCar debut
-
Landfill collapse kills 30 in Guinea
-
Villa boss Emery says it's down to Watkins to explain absence
-
'Unbelievable' Cherki proves his point to Man City boss Maresca
-
Duplantis labours to 'super difficult' pole vault win at Silesia Diamond League
-
10-man Atletico snatch Villarreal draw as Alvarez returns
-
Max smash at zany Zandvoort: Three stories from the Dutch GP
-
Seville, Jefferson-Wooden roar to 100m wins at Silesia Diamond League
-
Brennan sprints to Vuelta stage two victory, Pogacar keeps red
-
VW chief warns carmaker's situation 'more than critical'
-
Duplantis conquers pole vault at Silesia Diamond League
-
England cricketer Carse under investigation after 'nightclub incident'
-
France's badminton gold winners set for obscurity back home
-
McLaren's Norris wins Dutch GP after Verstappen crash
Holders Australia drawn with New Zealand in Rugby League World Cup
Holders Australia were drawn Sunday in the same group as fellow heavyweights New Zealand for next year's Rugby League World Cup, with Brisbane announced as host of both the men's and women's finals.
The tournament was originally scheduled to be played this year, but host nation France pulled out due to financial constraints.
The International Rugby League (IRL) shifted the event to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea with the action now set for October 15-November 15 in 2026.
It will be a slimmed-down competition featuring 10 men's, eight women's and eight wheelchair teams.
"International rugby league has never been more competitive and there will be genuine superstars across all groups and stages in this tournament," said IRL chairman Troy Grant.
"With the popularity of rugby league soaring to unprecedented heights, the international game is riding a wave of momentum into what will be the biggest global showcase the game has seen."
Twelve-time men's winners Australia are in Group A alongside New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands.
England headline Group B with Samoa and Lebanon, while Tonga, Papua New Guinea and France fill out Group C.
Group A teams will play matches against each other.
Group B and C teams will each play three matches against the teams in the adjacent group, so Group B teams will play against Group C teams only, and vice-versa.
The top two from Group A will make the semi-finals, as will the top two from a combined table of Group B and Group C.
Matches will be played in Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong, Gold Coast and Townsville.
All six women's World Cup titles have been shared between Australia and New Zealand.
They were drawn in opposite groups with Australia alongside England, Samoa and Wales while New Zealand were pitted with Papua New Guinea, France and Fiji.
Each team will play the others in their group with the top two progressing to the semi-finals.
Men's tournament
Group A - Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands
Group B - England, Samoa, Lebanon
Group C - Tonga, Papua New Guinea, France
Women's tournament
Group A - Australia, England, Samoa, Wales
Group B - New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, France, Fiji
M.Furrer--BTB
