Australia opens 4 Nations defense vs NZealand

Associated Press

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Australia will open its Four Nations rugby league tournament defense against New Zealand in a doubleheader at Brisbane on Oct. 25.

Tournament officials said Thursday that England will play either Fiji or Samoa in the second game. The two Pacific Island countries will play off on May 2 at Penrith in western Sydney for a place in the tournament.

New Zealand plays Fiji or Samoa in Whangarei, New Zealand on Nov. 1, with Australia taking on England in Melbourne the following day.

New Zealand hosts England in Dunedin, New Zealand on Nov. 8 and Australia plays Fiji or Samoa in Wollongong, Australia on Nov. 9.

The final will be played in Wellington, New Zealand on Nov. 15.