Two World Cup games for Mount Smart

Mount Smart Stadium will host the Kiwis' pool game against Toa Samoa as well as one of the two semi-finals at Rugby League World Cup 2017.

The Kiwis have again drawn the Samoans in their pool - as they did at the 2013 tournament - while Mate Ma'a Tonga and Scotland join them.

The Stephen Kearney-coached New Zealanders face the Samoans at the Vodafone Warriors' home ground on October 28 while the stadium will host the second semi-final on November 25 (which will involve the Kiwis if they win Pool B and negotiate their quarter-final).

New Zealand will also stage two quarter-finals (in Christchurch and Wellington) as well as the Kiwis' other two pool games against Scotland in Christchurch on November 4 and Tonga in Hamilton on November 11. The other match being played in New Zealand will be the Pool B contest between Tonga and Samoa at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on November 4. 

Rugby League World Cup 2017 is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. 

AAMI Park - known as Melbourne Rectangular Stadium for RLWC purposes - will host a blockbuster opening match when the Kangaroos begin their campaign under lights against England on Friday, October 27. 

Port Moresby will host the PNG Kumuls' three pool matches against two European qualifiers and the United States. 

The World Cup final will be decided at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, December 2.

The draw is family-friendly with all matches to be played across the weekend including Friday night games. There will be three double-headers in Cairns, Perth and Townsville, providing additional value for money for fans. 

When not attending games, fans will experience some of the most iconic sporting destinations in the world.

Sports enthusiasts will be able to explore the diversity of the eight host cities across Australia to New Zealand's compact nature that simplifies travel and makes it easy for visitors to access all venues while experiencing a variety of tourist attractions along the way. 

Tournament Pools 

With 11 teams already confirmed, the final three teams will come from the European qualifying tournament to be played in October and November this year. 

The pool structure reflects that of the successful 2013 tournament. The composition of the pools for RLWC2017 were shaped by a number of considerations, including the final placings from the 2013 World Cup and current world rankings 

Pool A: Australia, England, France, Lebanon 
Pool B: New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga 
Pool C: Papua New Guinea,  European Qualifier 1, European Qualifier 2 
Pool D: Fiji, USA, European Qualifier 3 

World Cup Draw - Pool Matches

World Cup Finals