The 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicks off in Sydney with the reigning champion Kangaroos facing their toughest opponents, the Kiwis of New Zealand. We have a full weekend of international rugby league action to get through.
Thursday, October 15
Australia vs. New Zealand
Allianz Stadium, 8:05pm (AEDT)
Australia: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c) Bench: 14. Tom Dearden 15. Cameron Murray 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Keaon Koloamatangi Reserves: 18. David Fifita 19. Bradman Best 20. Blayke Brailey 21. James Tedesco 22. Sam Walker
New Zealand: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Dane Gagai 4. Casey McLean 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. James Fisher-Harris (c) 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Moses Leota 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Briton Nikora 13. Joseph Tapine Bench: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Erin Clark 17. Xavier Willison Reserves: 18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 19. Keano Kini 20. Scott Sorensen 21. Leo Thompson 22. Jacob Laban
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: Matt Noyen, Tyson Brough
Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: The reigning champion Kangaroos have undergone some changes since they last held aloft the World Cup in 2022 in England. There are still familiar names like Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Latrell Mitchell, Patrick Carrigan, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo, but sprinkled in are some new faces including the likes of Jack Bostock and Jacob Preston. This team will have had next to no time to work on combinations, but can rely on some State of Origin familiarities and the occasional club football link.
The biggest question mark for the Kangaroos comes at halfback, where former Lebanon representative Mitchell Moses has been asked to step into the empty boots of Nathan Cleary. It is yet to be seen how well he will combine with Harry Grant and Cameron Munster, but coach Kevin Walters does have Tom Dearden in the No.14 ready to step into the fray should things not work out.
The Kiwis are fielding a very formidable side on paper, with Kalyn Ponga pulling on the black jersey for the first time at fullback, behind a formidable looking forward pack. You could not name a front-row rotation anywhere in the world that was stronger than James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Naufahu Whyte. Add to those three Joseph Tapine at lock as well as some of the most destructive edge forwards in the world in Isaiah Papali'i, Briton Nikora, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison and you can see the enormous task facing Australia.
The Kiwis have a very experienced set of halves and a backline bristling with attacking weapons. If they can put together a sound 80 minute performance, they could upset Australia first up.
Tip: Kiwis by 8
PointsBet odds: Australia $1.65 (-2.5 $1.90) New Zealand $2.25 (+2.5 $1.90)
Friday, October 16
Samoa vs. France
CommBank Stadium, 5:45pm (AEST)
Samoa: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Brian To'o 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Deine Mariner 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Jarome Luai (c) 8. Francis Molo 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Junior Paulo (c) 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Francis Manuleleua Bench: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Shawn Blore 17. Sualauvi Faalogo Reserves: 18. Ata Mariota 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Pasami Saulo 22. Enari Tuala
France: 1. Arthur Mourgue 2. Benjamin Laguerre 3. Latrell Siegwalt 4. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet 5. Léo Darrelatour 7. Théo Fages 8. Romain Navarrete 9. Benjamin Garcia (c) 10. Lambert Belmas 11. Arthur Romano 12. Mathieu Jussaume 13. Julian Bousquet Bench: 14. Amir Bourouh 15. Tiaki Chan 16. Jordan Dezaria 17. Mathieu Cozza Reserves: 18. Thomas Lacans 19. Louis Grossemy 20. Jowasa Drodrolagi 21. Roméo Tropis 22. Fouad Yaha
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein Touchies: Kieren Irons, Daniel Luttringer
Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: Samoa has one of the most impressive teams on paper in the 2026 World Cup. From Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback through Stephen Crichton in the centres and Jarome Luai at halfback, there is plenty of big game experience across the field. Their big forwards will be difficult for any opposition pack to handle.
France has named a team with an absolute minimum of NRL experience, with Rabbitoh Latrell Siegwalt being the only recognisable name. This is great for French rugby league, but they will clearly struggle first up against the might of Samoa.
Tip: Samoa by 44
PointsBet odds: Samoa $1.001 (-44.5 $1.90) France $51 (+48.5 $1.90)
Saturday, October 17
Papua New Guinea vs. Lebanon
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby, 3:25pm (AEDT)
Papua New Guinea: 1. Morea Morea 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Nene Macdonald 5. Dudley Dotoi 6. Gairo Voro 7. Bailey Biondi-Odo 8. Valentine Richard 9. Edwin Ipape 10. Luca Moretti 11. Rhyse Martin 12. Nixon Putt 13. Jack de Belin Bench: 14. Finley Glare 15. Liam Horne 16. Epel Kapinias 17. Sylvester Namo Reserves: 18. Rodrick Tai 19. Sanny Wabo 20. Robert Mathias 21. Khaiya Waiembi 22. Zev John
Lebanon: 1. Jacob Kiraz 2. Tony Francis 3. Michael Gabrael 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Jason Saab 6. Khaled Rajab 7. Alex Conti 8. Jaxson Rahme 9. Yehya Ayache 10. James Roumanos 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Charbel Tasipale 13. Alex Twal Bench: 14. Moustafa Dirani 15. Mikael Ibrahim 16. Jalal Bazzaz 17. Khalil Rahme Reserves: 18. Joseph Nohra 19. Abbas Miski 20. Tupou Francis 21. Mohamed Alameddine 22. Cameron Kanaan
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Michael Wise, Jarrod Cole
Bunker: Liam Kennedy
Prediction: The Kumals will be looking to impress in this tournament, ahead of the NRL debut of the PNG Chiefs in 2028. There will be plenty of players in the squad looking to catch the eye of Chiefs recruiters and the NRL in general. There is also a sprinkling of NRL experience through this line-up, with Zac Laybutt, Nene Macdonald, Rhyse Martin and Jack de Belin among the familiar names. They are heavily backed favourites to win this clash, but with Michael Cheika in charge of the Cedars, I don't think it will be all one way.
Lebanon have some experienced heads in their line-up with Jacob Kiraz at fullback, Jason Saab on the wing and Alex Twal at lock. One to watch is halfback Alex Conti, who has been very impressive in the lower grades at the Bulldogs and is looking to make the step into first grade next season.
Tip: PNG by 6
PointsBet odds: Papua New Guinea $1.17 (-16.5 $1.90) Lebanon $5 (+16.5 $1.90)
England vs. Tonga
HBF Park, Perth, 8:05pm (AEDT)
England: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Dominic Young 3. Hugo Savala 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Zach Eckersley 6. George Williams (c) 7. Harry Smith 8. Max King 9. Brad O'Neill 10. Morgan Knowles 11. Junior Nsemba 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Victor Radley Bench: 14. Jez Litten 15. Luke Thompson 16. Ethan Havard 17. Sam Walters Reserves: 18. Jack Welsby 19. Matty Ashton 20. Ben Currie 21. Mikey Lewis 22. Ben Talty Coach: Brian McDermott
Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Robert Toia 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Latu Fainu 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Soni Luke 10. Jason Taumalolo (c) 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Siua Wong 13. Tyson Frizell Bench: 14. Salesi Foketi 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima Reserves: 18. Tuimoala Lolohea 19. Paul Alamoti 20. Taniela Paseka 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 22. Sione Katoa
Officials
Referee: Gerard Sutton Touchies: David Munro, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Bunker: Ashley Klein
Prediction: This is the second massive clash of the opening weekend, with both of these sides keen on starting well as they hope to challenge for the ultimate prize. England have NRL and Super League stars right across the park, with AJ Brimson at fullback and Herbie Farnworth in the centres two players that are certain to cause Tonga plenty of headaches.
The Tonga side is very familiar, with Robert Toia in the centres and Isaiya Katoa at halfback both finishing off exceptional NRL seasons in 2026. It is in the forwards where I think Tonga have the edge, with Addin Fonua-Blake, Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau'atu, Siua Wong and Tyson Frizell the equal of any NRL starting pack. If they can dominate England up front, their backs might just pile on some points.
Tip: Tonga by 18
PointsBet odds: England $2.25 (+23.5 $1.90) Tonga $1.65 (-2.5 $1.90)
Sunday, October 18
Fiji vs. Cook Islands
McDonald Jones Stadium, 4:05pm (AEDT)
Fiji: 1. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Waqa Blake 4. Solomone Saukuru 5. Semi Valemei 6. Kurt Donoghoe 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Mitchell Prest 11. Taane Milne 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Caleb Navale Bench: 14. Josese Lanyon 15. Emosi Ravosai 16. Elijah Keung 17. Ronald Philitoga Reserves: 18. Apenisa Driti 19. Jordin Leiu 20. Joseph Litidamu 21. Zion Johnson 22. Kylan Mafoa
Cook Islands: 1. Esom Ioka 2. Paul Ulberg 3. KL Iro 4. Reubenn Rennie 5. Cameron Brown 6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio 7. Esan Marsters 8. Davvy Moale 9. Mason Teague 10. Makahesi Makatoa 11. Delahia Wigmore 12. Reuben Porter 13. Pride Petterson-Robati Bench: 14. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 15. K-Ci Newton-Whare 16. Rhys Dakin 17. Brad Takairangi Reserves: 18. Glassie Glassie 19. Chaev Kolone 20. Brody Tamarua 21. David Tuariki
Officials
Referee: Chris Kendall Touchies: Jon Stone, Drew Oultram
Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
Prediction: There is a smattering of NRL-level talent through both teams, with Fiji having the advantage of the highly experienced combination of halfback Brandon Wakeham and hooker Apisai Koroisau. Their craftiness around the ruck should be enough to see Fiji home in this clash.
Tip: Fiji by 10
PointsBet odds: Fiji $1.22 (-14.5 $1.95) Cook Islands $4.30 (+14.5 $1.85)
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.