'Bring on the World Cup'; Focus shifts after epic international season

The recent international fixture month concluded with New Zealand's decisive 36-14 victory over Samoa. Now, the spotlight turns to the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026, set to take place in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

With a minimum of five nations positioned as potential champions for the Paul Barrière Trophy, the excitement surrounding the upcoming World Cup is at an all-time high.

The Kiwis' success in the Pacific Cup was highlighted by Australia's earlier 3-0 Ashes Series triumph in England, creating an exhilarating build-up for an anticipated showdown between these two trans-Tasman rivals at RLWC26.

This raises intriguing questions: Which team displayed greater prowess? Who faced more formidable opponents or challenging conditions? How might England have performed against Samoa or Tonga? Additionally, what about Papua New Guinea, who claimed the Pacific Bowl for a third straight year?

Fans of Samoa and Tonga created an incredible atmosphere at Suncorp Stadium during the tournament, rivaling that of the most prominent international sporting events as they shattered attendance records in international rugby league.

The Pacific Championships, spanning four weeks, attracted a total of 158,041 spectators across Auckland, Brisbane, Port Moresby, and Sydney. In comparison, the three Ashes Tests garnered an impressive combined attendance of 132,418 in London, Everton, and Leeds.