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Find your Sport Nation frequencyLeague's great entertainers primed for World Cup show
Murray Wenzel, AAP •  November 10th, 2026 2:21 pm
The World Cup final clash between fullbacks Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga promises plenty | Photo: Robert Duong/AAP
Rugby league's great entertainers have pledged to deliver again in the sport's showpiece, Kalyn Ponga admitting more Reece Walsh brilliance is inevitable in the World Cup final.
New Zealand fullback Ponga returned from a broken arm in 23 days to lead his side into Sunday's Brisbane decider against an Australian team powered by electric No. 1 Reece Walsh.
Walsh scored a hat-trick in Sunday's win over Samoa and the pair went toe-to-toe in an enthralling contest to open the tournament last month the hosts won 24-22.
Kalyn Ponga has heaped high praise on Australia's Reece Walsh ahead of a bumper World Cup final | Video: AAP
"It's always all love off the field and then when we get on the field, we aren't friends," Ponga, who broke his arm in that clash with Australia, said of his Queensland State of Origin teammate.
"We can both ... make Sunday night entertaining, but hopefully not too much for him.
"There's always going to be moments of individual brilliance."
Kangaroos hooker Harry Grant tipped his cap to his Origin teammate before hinting they'd spend most of this week planning to silence him.
After beating James Tedesco for the fullback jersey, Reece Walsh starred in Australia's win over NZ | Photo: James Gourley/AAP
"Both incredible players, unique to our game and we should celebrate that at all costs," Grant said, before joking that Ponga had told him his arm was "not 100 per cent" after his return.
"They bring their own style to the game; it's enjoyable to play alongside, play against and I'm sure the fans love that.
"They're in sweet spots with their games at the moment; we can try and maximise the opportunities we give Reece and nullify Kalyn's.
"There is some game plan going into that (to) bring our game to life and understand their strengths."
Both fullbacks, as well as Grant, are contenders to win International Rugby League's Golden Boot on Thursday.
The Kangaroos and Kiwis are armed and almost ready to rumble in the World Cup decider | Photo: Jason O’Brien/AAP
But Ponga, in his first campaign with the Kiwis, has all eyes on Suncorp Stadium days later.
"It'd be a proud moment for myself, obviously, but my family," he said.
"The way my international availability has unfolded over the years, my want to play for this jersey, this this country, my people, waiting for that opportunity, not knowing if it was even going to happen, but knowing that it was the right decision.
"But I'm not a part of this team to win the (award), I'm part of this team to win the World Cup.
"I should thank my forwards if I do get to win it, but yeah, obviously there's a bigger goal than that for me."
