Sportsupdated 1h ago2 min read
Jack Bostock Hat-Trick Inspires Australia 24-22 Victory Over New Zealand in World Cup Opener
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Jack Bostock scored a hat-trick on his Australia debut in a 24-22 win. Match played at Allianz Stadium in Sydney with record crowd.
Bostock seals 24-22 win
Australia opened the Rugby League World Cup with a 24-22 victory over New Zealand in Sydney, with Jack Bostock scoring a hat-trick in his debut and Reece Walsh adding decisive attacking moments.
“He's cramping and vomiting and all sorts of things. He didn't have the energy to kick the goal.”
The match was tied 10-10 at halftime, and Australia then seized the lead late when Bostock scored with four minutes left to keep the Kangaroos on track for a fourth consecutive title.
Reece Walsh doubled up and vomited during the World Cup opener, and Australia head coach Kevin Walters said, "He's cramping and vomiting and all sorts of things. He didn't have the energy to kick the goal."
New Zealand full-back Kalyn Ponga overcame a suspected broken arm to score two tries, and New Zealand skipper James Fisher-Harris said, "Much respect to Australia. Just a few moments went their way, and we fought to the death."
Ponga injury clouds future
New Zealand centre Casey McLean opened the scoring after four minutes, and Jamayne Isaako converted to put the visitors 6-0 ahead before Australia responded with intercept tries. Kalyn Ponga’s night ended with a suspected broken arm, and Stacey Jones said, "It's a possible fracture of the arm, but he's going to go for scans" after Ponga played on for 20 minutes.
Reece Walsh’s physical toll stayed in view as he vomited after scoring, and Flashscore described that he "vomited afterwards and was unable to take the kick". The Guardian framed the contest as a New Zealand chance that slipped away, and it quoted Bostock saying the night was a "dream come true" after his treble decided the opener.
World Cup stakes rise
Australia’s win put the Kangaroos top of Pool A, and Flashscore said the result stretched Australia’s record over New Zealand to 19 wins and just two defeats. The Rugby League World Cup match at Allianz Stadium drew a record crowd of 41,255, and the report said Ponga was forced from the field soon after his second try.
“Ponga's future participation in the World Cup is now in serious doubt.”
Jack Bostock was named man of the match, and the Rugby League World Cup report said he was "the first Kangaroo to score a hat-trick on debut since Campbell Graham against Scotland at the 2022 World Cup." New Zealand’s injury concerns carried forward as the BBC said Ponga’s future participation in the World Cup is now in serious doubt, and the report added that he would have medical checks after playing on for a quarter of the contest.