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Running It Straight: Who should start for Kiwis in World Cup opener?
Sport Nation • September 30th, 2026 3:01 pm
The Kiwis perform a haka | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Running it Straight hosts Anthony Gelling and Sam Hewat have named their ideal New Zealand side for the Rugby League World Cup opener against Australia on October 15, selecting from players they believe will be fit and available.
Dylan Brown is unavailable due to an ACL injury, while Phoenix Crossland will miss at least the opening three matches, as he serves a four-match ban for a hip drop on Nathan Cleary during last week’s preliminary final.
Hewat said Brandon Smith could be the back-up specialist hooker, with Wayde Egan not included in the squad submitted by Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones.
Phoenix Crossland will not play for the Kiwis in the first three games of the Rugby League World Cup due to suspension | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
“There was conversation of Wayde Egan, he wasn't in the 40-men roster that Stacey Jones submitted to the International Rugby League, so as far as I'm aware he can't be pulled in, so Brandon Smith is kind of backup specialist hooker,” said Sam Hewat.
He also questioned whether Francis Manuleleua would feature for New Zealand.
"There's players there like (Francis) Manuleleua, who was carrying a Samoan flag around on the park at Eden Park. Is he even gonna play the Kiwi's?”
Starting XIII:
Fullback: Kayln Ponga
Wings: Jamayne Isaako, Ronaldo Mulitalo
Centres: Casey McLean, Sebastian Kris
Halves: Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes
Props: James Fisher-Harris, Naufahu Whyte
Hooker: Jeremy Marshall-King
Second row: Briton Nikora, Isaiah Papali'i
Lock: Joseph Tapine
Interchange: Te Maire Martin, Moses Leota, Jacob Laban and Erin Clark.
The Kangaroos are set to be without Nathan Cleary and could also be missing Dylan Edwards, Isaiah Yeo and Reece Walsh for the tournament.
Listen to the full episode below:
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of Rugby League World Cup 2026 this October and November - download the app today on Google Play and the App Store.
