Australia edge New Zealand in epic World Cup opener

Jack Bostock scores a hat-trick of tries as Australia fight back to win the opening game of the Rugby League World Cup against New Zealand.

Dolphins winger Jack Bostock marked his Australia debut with a hat-trick of tries

Australia underlined why they are favourites for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup by fighting back from a mauling at the hands of New Zealand's powerful pack to win a thrilling opening match of the tournament.

This was as good as it gets in terms of international rugby league, with more than 40,000 fans - the biggest Test match crowd in Sydney for 50 years - witnessing the ultimate smash-and-grab victory by Kevin Walters' side.

Casey McLean's stunning early try gave New Zealand the impetus and they were on top until the final five minutes, when Jack Bostock marked a stunning Kangaroos debut with his third try to decide an epic match.

Bostock's dream debut - which included one interception try and two by winning aerial battles to claim spiralling Cameron Munster kicks - was one of many fascinating sub plots.

Source: BBC Sport