A couple of local Kiwis and a couple of newbies for Kiwi Ferns in their Rugby League World Cup double header on Sunday.

Kiwis backline star Kalyn Ponga has been booked in for surgery after breaking the radius in his left arm in the Kiwis’ 22-24 loss to the Kangaroos in the opening match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Sydney.

New Zealand have lost their opening encounter of the Rugby League World Cup - and perhaps star recruit Kayln Ponga for the rest of the tournament – slipping to a 24-22 defeat against archrivals and defending champions Australian in Sydney.

Thirty-five-year-old Dane Gagai will become the second oldest Test debutant in NZ rugby league history when he takes the field for the Kiwis' against the Kangaroos in the opening game of the Rugby League World Cup on Thursday.

NZ Kiwis coach Stacey Jones has rolled the dice with just one specialist hooker in a 23-man squad to contest the Rugby League World Cup over the next two months.

Anthony Kouremebanas/NRL Photos

New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Greg Peters is stepping down after eight years in charge.

The Kiwis are unchanged for their Pacific Championships final against Samoa, while the Kiwi Ferns have injected some extra finesse for their showdown with the Australia's Jillar

The Kiwis have confirmed their place in the Pacific Championships final with a dominating 40-14 win over Mate Ma'a Tonga at Eden Park.

Are the Kiwis ready to beat Tonga and the Kiwi Ferns the Jillaroos? PHOTO: NRL

Plenty of action as the New Zealand men's and women's rugby league sides line up to take on Samoa at Go Media Stadium on Sunday.

Kiwis Head Coach Stacey Jones has named an experienced 21-man squad for the Pacific Championships campaign against Samoa and Tonga starting this month.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns will play two huge double-headers in Auckland later this year as part of the Pacific Championship

Kiwis close the curtain on a disappointing 2024 Pacific Cup by avoiding relegation to the second-tier.

After defeat in the opening round, the Kiwi Ferns will again face off against the Australian Jillaroos in the Pacific Championship final.

The Kiwis fell agonisingly short in a dramatic Pacific Championships battle against Tonga in Auckland.

Front rower Leo Thompson is returning from suspension to join the Kiwis for Saturday's must-win Pacific Championships game against Tonga

The Kiwis fought hard but fell short against the Kangaroos in a spirited Pacific Championships battle.

Five players have been named to make their Test debuts in the New Zealand Kiwis Pacific Championships clash against the Kangaroos

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns trans-Tasman double-header has sold out Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch at Labour weeked