Channel 7's Mel McLaughlin and Andrew Voss lead the RLWC26 Australia v New Zealand broadcast

On 15 October 2026, the Australia v New Zealand fixture of the Rugby League World Cup 2026 goes live, and the broadcast will be carried across a wide range of channels. British audiences can tune into the BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, available via the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport Online in audio format, while Australian viewers are catered for through Fox Sports and the world feed. Two dedicated local channels are also in action: Mel McLaughlin presents Channel 7 Australia (Channel 7plus), with Andrew Voss as the main commentator.

This fixture brings together the two most prominent players of the season, with the world feed and ABC Sport both on hand to capture the action. Whether you prefer the BBC's audio-first Sports Extra or the star-studded Channel 7 lineup, the coverage is extensive and the competition between the Catalans and St. Helens is set to be intense.

The Channel 7 broadcast team

Channel 7 Australia is presenting a star-studded lineup for RLWC26, unveiled back in early September. Mel McLaughlin heads the broadcast as presenter, joined by co-presenters Matt White and Emma Freedman. The commentator roster is led by Andrew Voss, with Luke Keary and Trent Robinson as co-commentators. Rounding out the team are the pundits and reporters, including Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jelisa Apps, Shaun Johnson and David Riccio.

Mel McLaughlin is one of the names flagged in the Channel 7 experts who are set to make the call on the winner of the series, alongside players such as Corey Parker, Matt Shirvington, Steve Roche and Shaun Johnson. The broadcast team was captured in the Seven unveiling of its RLWC26 lineup, with Mel McLaughlin, Matt White and Luke Keary all featured among the group.

Background on the key names

Emma Freedman is an Australian television and radio personality who has worked as a host, presenter and roving reporter across Seven Sport since 2021. She grew up on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne, and her career has seen her diversify across rugby league broadcasting. Her involvement with Channel 7 for this fixture follows the Seven star-studded announcement of the RLWC26 broadcast team.

Andrew Voss is the main commentator for Channel 7, and he has been busy in the lead-up to the World Cup. He recently appeared as a special guest on the League Express Podcast, breaking ahead of the opening fixtures of this year's Rugby League World Cup, and has discussed the NRL expansion and Super League deal. Luke Keary, the Catalans Dragons hero, has likewise been prominent in the run-up, having discussed the NRL/Super League takeover alongside James Graham.

The ABC Sport coverage

Alongside Channel 7, ABC Sport is running its own broadcast for the fixture. Andrew Moore takes the role of main commentator, with Luke Lewis as co-commentator and Michael Carayannis reporting. This gives the Australia v New Zealand match a second Australian-backed channel, complementing the main Channel 7 broadcast.

The BBC and other channels

For British audiences, the BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra provides audio coverage of the fixture, with Matt Newsum acting as main commentator. This is available through the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport Online, offering an audio-first experience for those who prefer to follow the action without the video channels.

The World Cup also features other channels, including LiSTNR / Triple M and SEN / SEN App, each with their own commentator line-ups. With so many channels covering the fixture, both British and Australian readers have plenty of ways to follow who wins out between the Catalans and St. Helens.

For those interested in the full RLWC26 broadcast lineup, the Seven team announcement is worth a look, as is the profile of Emma Freedman, one of this fixture's key presenters.

Article generated: 15 October 2026, 10:06 GMT