Reece Walsh's feats to start his career in green and gold continue, and Bradman Best's knack of producing in the representative area extends, as Australia claim a fourth straight men's Rugby League world cup.

The Kangaroos ran over for six tries to two to lift the trophy over Aotearoa / New Zealand with a 32-12 win in front of over 50,000 in the Suncorp Stadium stands in Magandjin / Brisbane on Sunday.

In warm conditions, there an intense ruck speed prevailed across the contest with the contest under high balls off the boot having a major say in the exchange.

Walsh came out on top in his blockbuster matchup with the Kiwis no.1 Kalyn Ponga.

Forcing his way into fullback during last year's Ashes series in England, the 24-year-old appears to have cemented his spot in the position for the time being, helping his side to a world cup triumph a touch over 12 months from his debut.

Fellow First Nations stars Kotoni Staggs and Best locked in their spot in Australia's centres across the tournament.

Reuben Cotter also claims his first World Cup medal.

For the Kiwi's, duel Indigenous and Māori All Star and veteran Dane Gagai's attempt to become the first player to win World Cup titles with two different nations didn't fully come together.

There were signs of which way the final could go from early on.

When the opening kick off went long, the Kangaroos went the length and got the perfect start with Liam Martin crashing over in the opening minute.

New Zealand wrestled back momentum in their favour over the opening 20 minutes, with Casey McLean doing the damage and tying up the scoreboard in the 11th minute.

The Kiwi's control was bookended by Kangaroos tries, though, when eventual player of the match Jack Bostock walking over for his first of two, assisted by a tap-on from Best on the left side.

Walsh began working into the game with his footwork.

When Best spilled it from five out as Australia looked for a third try, he hunted down a Jarome Hughes breaking down the touchline and forced another lost ball with a try-saving effort following a frantic patch of repeated sets at New Zealand's in-goal.

At the end of the resulting set of six he was strolling over in space to make it 16-10, utilising the overlap and getting past former Knights centre pairing Dane Gagai.

BRADMAN BEST 🔥 #RLWC26 https://t.co/fpAYbOWiw1

— Rugby League World Cup 2026 (@rugbyleaguewcup) November 15, 2026

Best made his international debut earlier in the tournament.

The Kangaroos went into half time leading 24-6.

On the restart, Walsh produced some magic dancing through three Kiwi defenders and handing off to Tom Trbojevic for Australia's fifth try, following another error from New Zealand.

Much like the women's final earlier in the day, the bulk of scoring was done before the break.

Jaime Chapman had a hat trick while Shaylee Bent and Tamika Upton got tries of their own in the first half as the Jillaroos' First Nations stars combined for five of the team's six tries on their way to a 34-10 win over the Kiwi Ferns.

In the men's, Ronaldo Mulitalo was denied a second for New Zealand just before the mid-way point of the second half.

Isaiah Papali'i broke a scoreless run for the Kiwi's second, with Bostock icing the Kangaroos triumph late in the contest.

13 years ago, it was New Zealand who ended as victors for the men's team's first World Cup trophy at Suncorp.

Speaking post-match, Walsh said the Kangaroos were coming in to the tournament under plenty of outside noise

"I'm pretty speechless to be honest...everyone wrote us off...I feel like we got disrespected," Walsh told 7's coverage.

"This is something I'm going to remember for such a long time. I'm just speechless now. I love this group."

Reece Walsh doing Reece Walsh things 🤩 #RLWC26 https://t.co/66ZlKj8QiM

— Rugby League World Cup 2026 (@rugbyleaguewcup) November 15, 2026

It's the Kangaroos' 13th success at 17 World Cups.

Last week, the International Rugby League announced the 2020 tournament will be played across USA and Pacific will host the next men's and women's World Cup in a Magic Round format across yet to be decided cities in a co-staging between the IRL and Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC).

This is set to be three pool rounds then finals across five cities.