Kiwis chase World Cup title against Australia as Mato seeks historic double
Shannon Mato chases a historic first: winning consecutive World Cups with different nations on Sunday.
Shannon Mato will play for New Zealand against Australia in Sunday's women's rugby league World Cup final. The 28-year-old won the tournament with the Jillaroos four years ago.
The Jillaroos beat New Zealand 54-4 at Old Trafford. If the Kiwis win, Mato would make history in any sport.
She would be the first to win World Cups in a row for different nations. She would do this in back-to-back tournaments.
Dane Gagai, a Kiwis teammate, is chasing the same double in the men's final. Mato moved to Australia as a teenager.
But she chose to represent New Zealand after becoming a mother. She wanted her son to grow up connected to her culture.
- 28 years old
- Mato's age
- Australia defeated New Zealand 54-4
- 2022 World Cup result
- Charnze-Pati
- Mato's son
- 2017 with Australia
- Gagai's previous World Cup
Why it mattersA World Cup final is sport's biggest stage. Mato's possible achievement would be a first in the history of any sport.
AustraliaAustralia's women's rugby league team plays in the World Cup final, a match Australian sports fans closely follow.
