New Zealand confirm squad for World Cup, Origin duo set for debut

Two Origin players are to debut for New Zealand, who likely have the strongest forward pack at the World Cup.

EDITOR | October 6, 2026 - 4:44pm

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New Zealand head coach Stacey Jones has confirmed his 23-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup, with both Dane Gagai and Kalyn Ponga in line for a debut.

The duo have both played for Queensland, but are eligible for New Zealand and have been named as part of a squad that also features Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith as the other potential debutants.

The squad is a strong one, and stable from last year's Pacific Championships, with Matthew Timoko dropped, Phoenix Crossland suspended and Dylan Brown injured.

Crossland could have been picked with three matches - the entirety of the group stage - left to serve in his suspension, before being a chance of playing in the finals, but Jones has looked elsewhere.

Jeremy Marshall-King is the nation's undisputed dummy half, with back-up likely to be provided by Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kodi Nikorima, who will squabble for the right to join Jahrome Hughes, returning to the New Zealand set up for the first time since 2023, in the halves.

James Fisher-Harris captains the side again, with New Zealand possessing arguably the tournament's strongest forward pack, while Keano Kini is also named and could yet play at fullback with Ponga a potential in the halves as well.

New Zealand open their tournament on October 15 against Australia, before playing games across the Tasman against Fiji and the Cook Islands.