{"id":958386,"date":"2026-11-09T16:56:30","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T16:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/958386\/"},"modified":"2026-11-09T16:56:30","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T16:56:30","slug":"kangaroos-world-cup-final-australia-prepares-for-kiwis-clash-as-players-dismiss-contract-speculation-and-outside-criticism-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/958386\/","title":{"rendered":"Kangaroos World Cup final: Australia prepares for Kiwis clash as players dismiss contract speculation and outside criticism"},"content":{"rendered":"

November 9, 2026 \u2014 7:30pm<\/p>\n

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The Gold Coast Titans might be hunting Harry Grant\u2019s signature, but the Kangaroos hooker says his future can wait as he focuses on leading Australia to World Cup glory on Sunday night.<\/p>\n

While he has a multimillion-dollar deal from the Melbourne Storm on the table, the 28-year-old Grant is one of several Kangaroos stars whose future beyond 2027 is far from clear.<\/p>\n

\"HarryHarry Grant says he\u2019s only focussing on winning this week\u2019s World Cup final.Getty Images<\/p>\n

Titans part owner Matthew Johns has reached out to the Queenslander about a potential move home, believing he can help turn the fortunes of the perennial NRL underachievers \u2013 especially with young stars Zane Harrison, Keano Kini and Jayden Campbell on the books.<\/p>\n

Grant is the latest Kangaroos star whose future has come under the spotlight since the November 1 free agency window<\/a> opened, with Australian teammate Sam Walker linked to both the PNG Chiefs<\/a> and South Sydney after failing to agree terms on a new deal with the Roosters.<\/p>\n

Walker\u2019s management had cast a line out to Australian rugby<\/a>, but sources speaking on the condition of anonymity indicated that any move to Super Rugby was unlikely, with Rugby Australia content with their playmaking stocks ahead of next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n

The future of flying winger Jack Bostock has also been the subject of regular discussion, with the 23-year-old Dolphins star heavily linked to a move to the Dragons, while Penrith\u2019s Liam Martin could be a target to replace PNG-bound second-rower Hudson Young at Canberra.<\/p>\n

\"SamSam Walker\u2019s future beyond 2026 remains far from clear, but the Kangaroos halfback is unlikely to make a code switch.Getty Images<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters following Sunday night\u2019s 44-12 win over Samoa<\/a> in Sydney, Grant said he wasn\u2019t surprised the contract talk was keeping the rumour mill humming, but insisted his attention was solely on taking down the Kiwis this weekend at Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s become a big deal because there\u2019s a lot of attention around it. For us, our attention is on the World Cup,\u201d he said. \u201cAcross the board, I know that you don\u2019t want to miss these opportunities. They don\u2019t come around too often.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019re trying to eliminate distractions and really lock into what\u2019s most important now. For us right now, that\u2019s the World Cup. I think everyone\u2019s professional enough to be able to do that.<\/p>\n

\u201cClubs have been respectful enough to allow that and understand that. There\u2019ll be times to get all that stuff. We\u2019ll have those more mature conversations in the coming weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HarryHarry Grant smiles alongside Queensland and Kangaroos teammate Reuben Cotter.Getty Images<\/p>\n

While the Kangaroos breezed through to another World Cup final, Kevin Walters\u2019 forwards have been accused of failing to muscle up against opposing packs throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n

However that was far from the case on Sunday, when Pat Carrigan continued the fine early onslaught from Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui and Keaon Koloamatangi to stop Samoa dead in their tracks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought they stood up really good,\u201d Walters said after full-time. \u201cThey\u2019ve been questioned and criticised by some people, but not within the group. There\u2019s a lot of respect for what they do and they did a great job tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related Article\"Payne<\/a><\/p>\n

Fa\u2019asuamaleaui said the outside noise had been \u201cextra motivating\u201d, while Carrigan, who ran for a team-high 163 metres off the bench, laughed when asked if he had been keeping receipts.<\/p>\n

The Brisbane powerhouse acknowledged it had been impossible to miss the criticism, but said the Kangaroos were keeping their heads down ahead of Sunday\u2019s final.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn today\u2019s world, with phones \u2026 you see things, but I think all the outside noise doesn\u2019t really affect us,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m really passionate and proud to play with these boys and play for our country. There\u2019s no egos here and whatever job you need to do, you just got to get it done.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got great leaders, guys like Yeoy [captain Isaah Yeo] that keep us calm and collected. I thought the boys did an outstanding job tonight and we just jumped on the back of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, yeah, privileged to go to another World Cup final and [I\u2019m] really excited to play the Kiwis.\u201d<\/p>\n

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