Bostock hat-trick lifts Australia past New Zealand in World Cup opener

Jack Bostock scored three tries on his Test debut as Australia beat New Zealand 24-22 in the Rugby League World Cup opener in Sydney on Thursday. ABC Sport reported that the Kangaroos secured victory through the winger's late third try after a match that remained level at half-time.

Watch the highlights:

Bostock won the decisive aerial contest against Jamayne Isaako following a Cameron Munster kick. Earlier, he had supplied the offload for Reece Walsh's long-range try, which cut New Zealand's advantage to two points. Kalyn Ponga scored twice for the Kiwis after the interval, but they could not protect their lead.

Both teams also finished with injury concerns. According to ABC Sport's coverage, Ponga left the field with a suspected broken arm, while Mitchell Moses went off shortly after half-time with a calf injury. The report did not establish a recovery timetable for either player.

The debut followed a rapid rise for the Dolphins player. In an interview published by NRL.com before the tournament, Bostock described how his first State of Origin appearance had helped prepare him for international rugby league. He had been selected for New South Wales in the deciding game at Suncorp Stadium, contributing to the Blues' victory before leaving for a head injury assessment.

Bostock told NRL.com that playing 62 minutes against Queensland gave him confidence he could take into the Australian team. His World Cup selection also came 15 months after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. At the previous tournament in 2022, he was 19, had not yet played in the NRL and had recently moved to Redcliffe, where he watched the competition from home.

That earlier tournament included players who would become his Dolphins teammates. This time, his Australian teammates included established internationals he had watched growing up. Bostock identified James Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic as players whose preparation and experience he wanted to learn from in camp. He told NRL.com he hoped to bring those lessons back to his club after his time with the national side.