# ‘We got disrespected’ – Walsh and Australia make World Cup point

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/we-got-disrespected-walsh-and-australia-make-world-cup-point/
- Published: 2026-11-15T12:50:36+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T13:23:14+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cw808lm89x81o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Sport

## Key points

- Australia beat New Zealand 32-12 in the final.
- The Kangaroos secured a record fourth straight title.
- Reece Walsh said Australia had felt written off.

## Summary

Australia beat New Zealand 32-12 in the men’s Rugby League World Cup final, securing a fourth consecutive title and their 10th in the past 11 tournaments. The emphatic win answered doubts about Australia’s strength and gave Reece Walsh a chance to say the team had felt disrespected by pre-tournament coverage.

Australia had been challenged by New Zealand in the opening match and by Fiji later in the tournament, while Walsh was returning from an ankle injury and eight weeks of rehabilitation. He said he was unfit for the opener but improved as the team built belief. James Tedesco, who came on during the final, announced his international retirement afterwards; New Zealand coach Stacey Jones called his side’s display their worst of the tournament.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.