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Find your Sport Nation frequencySimon Mannering: How ‘a sour taste’ led the Kiwis to 2008 World Cup glory
Sport Nation • November 11th, 2026 2:05 pm
Simon Mannering celebrates winning the 2008 Rugby League World Cup | Photo: Photosport
As New Zealand and Australia prepare to meet in the Rugby League World Cup final, Simon Mannering recalls how the Kiwis turned an opening loss to the Kangaroos into motivation on their way to the 2008 title.
The Kiwis had gathered momentum throughout the tournament, while a dinner in the lead-up to the final added fuel to the fire.
“I know we started the tournament with a heavy loss against Aussie,” Mannering told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy.
“The thing that sticks in my mind is we had a dinner a couple of nights before the World Cup and it was pretty much all about Aussie, how great a team they were, the greatest team ever to assemble.
“I think all of us sort of left that with a bit of a sour taste in our mouth,” he explained.
“We had Wayne Bennett involved and he kind of drummed that up because of him being an Aussie and having the history there, ‘they’re disrespecting you.’”
Simon Mannering playing for the Kiwis in the Rugby League World Cup 2008 | Photo: Renee McKay/Photosport
However, he stressed that wasn’t what won the title for New Zealand, instead it was hard work.
“Things have to go your way during the game and get calls and whatnot, but we just sort of peaked at the right time and I think once we got that sort of sense, ‘hey, we're in this, we can win this’, that we kind of just stayed in it.
“It's the last time the Kiwis have lifted the trophy and very lucky to be a part of history,” Mannering shared.
Now in 2026, the sides prepare to meet each other once again, with a second title for the Kiwis hinging on a strong performance.
“I didn't taste success too many times against them, but I think the Kiwis have always had the talent there to beat them and with the Aussies, they just hang in there, and they're tough. They don't go away. They'll just pick away at you and then as soon as you do the laps, they'll just make you pay.
“You can't switch off at any point because if you do, they'll open up and that first game we played against them in the tournament we looked really good.”
Jack Bostock crossed late to get Australia home over New Zealand in the 2026 World Cup opener | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
The opening match was a reminder of how quickly Australia can turn a game around, he said.
“They didn't look too good, but they picked up a couple of big plays with those intercepts and make you pay so I know the team will be better for that.”
Listen to the full interview below:
