Rugby League World Cup Wrap #5 - A Full Circle Moment

Next weekend's Rugby League World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand will see the tournament end with the same two teams who kicked off the competition.

In some ways, this World Cup has been a rampant success, with excellent viewing figures, big crowds and Pacific Island nations showing they are not a flash in the pan but consistent players on the international stage.

On the other, for those based in England (as I expect the majority of readers of this post will be), you would be forgiven if the tournament had passed you by, even as a committed follower of the sport. The tournament was broadcast on Premier Sports, a channel with minimal viewership and the tournament did not engage the wider sporting public at all. Not helped by England's blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance.

And despite the perception of greater competitiveness, every match at the men's World Cup was won by the favourites (hat tip to Michael Meehall-Wood on Twitter for that one). If that was to continue for the 23rd match of the tournament, then Australia will collect yet another World Cup.

Want some more stats? Australia have won the past three World Cups. They have won 22 consecutive matches at World Cups. Since being defeated at the 2008 World Cup Final by New Zealand, Australia have not lost a match in this tournament.

By contrast, New Zealand have been a waiting a relatively long time for a World Cup Final appearance. Their last appearance was in 2013. They were stunned by Fiji in the 2017 World Cup Quarter Final and lost to Australia in an enthralling semi final in 2022.

For a side that made three consecutive World Cup Finals from the turn of the century, a 13 year gap will feel too long. 

With the strength of Tonga and Samoa, the feeling that at least one World Cup semi final would be uncompetitive felt like a distant memory. Ironically, the two semi finals in this tournament were less competitive than the previous tournament.

New Zealand and Tonga were neck and neck at half time but as the conditions turned, the Kiwis showed their class.

Australia have been unconvincing by their own standards in this tournament. That was until the semi final stage. Samoa felt aggrieved by refereeing decisions, but when you lost a game by 44-12 and are losing 26-2 at half time, there can be no doubt that you were outclassed. This version of Australia felt different to the one we have seen in previous matches. 

Rugby League in New Zealand is on the rise. New Zealand Warriors' crowds and profile has skyrocketed in recent years. The Kiwi side is full of superstars. You feel a World Cup win could give the sport in the country a real shot in the arm.

But World Cup finals aren't won on vibes and fairytale stories. Whilst Australia's domination of the sport at international level can feel predictable, we also have one of the most consistently successful international teams on the planet. The Kangaroos are not just sporting team but a dynasty. One which we do not celebrate enough.

Your eyes can be drawn in every direction next week when it comes to battles. But sometimes the simple answer is the correct one. Reece Walsh v Kayln Ponga part 2 will be a joy to behold.

Reece Walsh has got it all. The skill, the speed, the toughness but also the charm and charisma which we try and coach out of players so we can just here them say "credit to the boys" on repeat in post match interviews.

If you want to talk about toughness, take a look at Kayln Ponga. A player who played with a broken arm in the tournament's opener, who had surgery on the fracture and returned with a man of the match display in a World Cup Semi Final in a matter of weeks.

It is a tale that makes of a mockery of Rugby League's assertion that it priortises player welfare.

No fan of the sport would want to miss out on these two colossal talents showing us their skills in the biggest game that any sport has. A World Cup Final. 

If the opening game of the tournament was only the dress rehearsal, then you wonder how these players are going to be able to increase that intensity even higher.

What I do know is that there is nothing I would rather be doing next Sunday morning than watching them try.