Have New Zealand got their forward pack right with Leota starting?

Writer Bella Gillespie assesses New Zealand head coach Stacey Jones's decision to start Moses Leota in the forward pack for the Rugby League World Cup clash against Australia. The choice reunites Leota with former Penrith Panthers teammate James Fisher-Harris in the front row, a combination Gillespie argues offers immediate power, cohesive defense, and early physical momentum against the Kangaroos.

Gillespie notes that while Leota often provides dangerous impact from the bench, starting him alongside Fisher-Harris and moving Joseph Tapine to lock maximizes the Kiwis' front-row strength. Tapine's shift pushes Warriors standout Erin Clark to the bench, where Clark, Naufahu Whyte, and Xavier Willison are set to provide interchange impact.