Rugby League World Cup 2026: Reece Walsh vomits and Kalyn Ponga plays through pain
Reece Walsh & Kalyn Ponga have both played for Queensland in State of Origin
TL;DR
- Reece Walsh vomited during the World Cup opener between Australia and New Zealand.
- New Zealand full-back Kalyn Ponga played for 20 minutes with a suspected broken arm.
- Mitchell Moses was forced off the field with a calf issue.
- Australia captain Isaah Yeo delayed surgery on an injured pectoral muscle to play.
- Reece Walsh, playing for the first time in eight weeks, made a try-saving tackle and scored a 60-metre try.
- Ponga scored two tries but his injury casts doubt on his future World Cup participation.
- New Zealand coach Stacey Jones confirmed Ponga would undergo medical checks for a possible fractured arm.