Australia eyes 13th Rugby League World Cup title despite Pacific challenge

The tournament kicks off Thursday with a highly anticipated match between the two rugby league powerhouses, a fixture that represents the sport's traditional heartland. Australia's stronghold on the competition reflects decades of domestic dominance, though organisers continue efforts to establish rugby league as a genuine international spectacle.

The 17th World Cup represents another chapter in rugby league's complicated global narrative. While the sport commands substantial followings and commercial investment across Australia and New Zealand, it has consistently struggled to gain traction in major rugby union territories and emerging markets beyond the Pacific region.

Pacific island nations have emerged as genuine threats to the traditional order, leveraging growing populations with deep connections to rugby league and increasingly competitive domestic programmes. These emerging challengers have injected fresh momentum into tournament preparations and generated substantial interest across the region.

The competition will test whether rugby league can expand beyond its traditional strongholds or remain a primarily Australasian phenomenon. Australia's quest for a 13th title comes amid broader discussions within the sport about expanding international competitiveness and establishing sustainable pathways for emerging nations.

The opening match between Australia and New Zealand sets the tone for a tournament where both established dominance and emerging talent will compete for rugby league's highest honour.