Rugby World Cup: All Blacks poke fun at omission from Wallabies’ tournament opener in PerthBen SmithThe West AustralianTue, 3 February 2026 12:17PMCommentsCommentsEmail Ben Smith
WA rugby union fans weren’t the only ones surprised by the lack of a Wallabies v New Zealand fixture to open next year’s World Cup, with even the All Blacks themselves poking fun at the shock decision.
The All Blacks appeared to have been prepared to head west for the opening game of next year’s marquee tournament, going as far as mocking up a graphic to promote a potential showdown with their traditional rivals.
Instead, Australia will open proceedings against the third-lowest-ranked team at the tournament – Hong Kong – despite previous confidence the opening match would be a blockbuster worthy of beginning the tournament with a bang.
The Kiwis, who will now face Australia in Sydney in their second match of the tournament, took to social media to joke about the decision from World Cup organisers.
“We thought we had the script…” was the caption, which appears to sum up the frustration of local fans deprived of a potential showdown between the two rivals.
The post appeared to be removed a short time later.
Optus Stadium will host seven matches in total across the tournament, including four other pool matches and two round of 16 games.
New Zealand will play Chile in Perth the day after the opening match and South Africa will meet Romania in WA, while arguably the pick of the Optus Stadium slate is Ireland vs Scotland.
One round of 16 game would likely involved South Africa, and the other England.
Category one tickets for the Wallabies’ clash with Hong Kong are listed at $610 ahead of pre-sales opening this month, with category six $65 for adults and $30 for children.
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