We enter the final week of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup prior to the semifinals and we have a couple of really competitive games, mixed in with the one-way traffic.
Can England keep their finals hopes alive with a big win over Papua New Guinea? Will New Zealand have as much trouble with Fiji as Australia did? Will Australia find their rhythm against the Cook Islands, with the knock-out games a week away? Will Lebanon or France break their duck? And, in the clash everyone has been waiting for, who will come out on top between Tonga and Samoa?
Friday, October 30
England vs. Papua New Guinea
WIN Stadium, 8:05pm (AEDT)
England: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Dominic Young 3. Hugo Savala 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Matty Ashton 6. George Williams (c) 7. Harry Smith 8. Max King 9. Jez Litten 10. Luke Thompson 11. Junior Nsemba 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Morgan Knowles Bench: 14. Mikey Lewis 15. Sam Walters 16. Ethan Havard 17. Victor Radley 18. Ben Currie 19. Jack Welsby Reserves: 20. Brad O'Neill 21. Zach Eckersley 22. Kallum Watkins
Papua New Guinea: 1. Zac Laybutt 2. Robert Derby 3. Josh Feledy 4. Nene Macdonald 5. Dudley Dotoi 6. Gairo Voro 7. Bailey Biondi-Odo 8. Epel Kapinias 9. Edwin Ipape 10. Luca Moretti 11. Rhyse Martin (c) 12. Nixon Putt 13. Liam Horne Reserves: 14. Finley Glare 15. Jacob Taulani 16. Robert Mathias 17. Sanny Wabo 18. Valentine Richard 19. Zev John Bench: 20. Morea Morea 21. Rodrick Tai 22. Alex Max
Officials
Referee: Touchies:
Bunker:
Prediction: England bounced back from their week 1 loss to Tonga, running riot against France. Their only hope of squeaking into the finals is to increase their for and against tally and hope for a favorable result from the Samoa-Tonga clash.
Papua New Guinea put up some early fight against Samoa last week, before the floodgates opened and they were completely overrun.
England should win this game, before a long wait to see whether or not they advance.
Tip: England by 18
PointsBet odds: England $1.04 Papua New Guinea $11
Saturday, October 31
New Zealand vs. Fiji
Cbus Super Stadium, 3:30pm (AEST)
New Zealand: 1. Keano Kini 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 18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 19. Scott Sorensen Reserves: 20. Leo Thompson 21. Jacob Laban 22. Tanner Stowers-Smith
Fiji: 1. Sunia Turuva 2. Ronald Philitoga 3. Waqa Blake 4. Solomone Saukuru 5. Semi Valemei 6. Kurt Donoghoe 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Apisai Koroisau (c) 10. Emosi Ravosai 11. Taane Milne 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Caleb Navale 14. Josese Lanyon 15. Elijah Keung 16. Jordan Miller 17. Joseph Litidamu 18. Jordin Leiu 19. Apenisa Driti Reserves: 20. Zion Johnson 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Kylan Mafoa
Officials
Referee: Touchies:
Bunker:
Prediction: The Kiwis bounced back from their narrow week 1 loss to Australia, stretching their legs against an outclassed Cook Island team. They started slowly, conceding and early lead, but once they settled in it became a parade of try scorers lining up to cross the stripe.
Fiji took on the Kangaroos last week and put up one hell of a fight, leading in the second half, before succumbing. They muscled up well in the forwards, tackled with intensity and commitment and showed enough skills through their halves to look dangerous with the ball.
They go into this game determined to repeat that effort, but the Kiwis should prove to be too good.
Tip: New Zealand by 32
PointsBet odds: New Zealand $1.02 Fiji $23
Australia vs. Cook Islands
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 8:05pm (AEDT)
Australia: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c) Bench: 14. Ethan Strange 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 16. Cameron Murray 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Lindsay Smith 19. James Tedesco Reserves: 20. Sam Walker 21. Latrell Mitchell 22. David Fifita
Cook Islands: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Paul Ulberg 3. KL Iro (c) 4. Reubenn Rennie 5. Cameron Brown 6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio 17. Brad Takairangi 8. Davvy Moale 9. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 10. Rhys Dakin 11. Amare Milford 12. Delahia Wigmore 13. Mason Teague Bench: 7. Esan Marsters 14. K-Ci Newton-Whare 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. David Tuariki 18. Chaev Kolone 19. Glassie Glassie Reserves: 20. Brody Tamarua 21. Pride Petterson-Robati 22. Esom Ioka 23. Reuben Porter
Officials
Referee: Touchies:
Bunker:
Prediction: Australia were genuinely tested by a fired up Fiji side last week, emphasising some issues which were exposed in the first game against New Zealand. The Kangaroos do not possess a dominant pack, and on the back of that, their halves are struggling to thrive. So far in this tournament they have been saved by their outside backs and fullbacks. Coach Walters has a task ahead of him, to find some grunt up front, and to choose between Reece Walsh and James Tedesco before the knock-out stages.
The Cook Islands started strongly against the Kiwis last week, catching them off guard to run up a lead. Halfway through the first half they ran out of steam and were trampled by New Zealand. This will be their last game of the tournament and they will be keen to go out with their heads held high, but even at their very best and with Australia far from theirs, there will be no upset here.
Tip: Australia by 58
PointsBet odds: Australia $ -- Cook Islands $81
Sunday, November 1
Lebanon vs. France
CommBank Stadium, 4:05pm (AEDT)
Lebanon: 1. Jacob Kiraz 2. Tony Francis 3. Michael Gabrael 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Jason Saab 6. Joseph Nohra 7. Alex Conti 8. Jaxson Rahme 9. Moustafa Dirani 10. James Roumanos 11. Tony Sukkar 12. Abbas Miski 13. Alex Twal (c) Bench: 14. Yehya Ayache 15. Tupou Francis 16. Jalal Bazzaz 17. Khalil Rahme 18. Shadi Hammoud 19. Mikael Ibrahim Reserves: 20. Ibrahim El Labban 21. Cameron Kanaan 22. Mohamed Alameddine
France: 1. Arthur Mourgue 2. Léo Darrelatour 3. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet 4. Roméo Tropis 5. Benjamin Laguerre 6. César Rougé 7. Thomas Lacans 8. Romain Navarrete 9. Alrix Da Costa 10. Julian Bousquet 11. Mathieu Cozza 12. Mathieu Jussaume 13. Benjamin Garcia (c) Bench: 14. Amir Bourouh 15. Lambert Belmas 16. Jordan Dezaria 17. Jowasa Drodrolagi 18. Théo Fages 19. Fouad Yaha Reserves: 20. Tiaki Chan 21. Louis Grossemy 22. Arthur Romano
Officials
Referee: Touchies:
Bunker:
Prediction: Lebanon were courageous last week against a far superior Tonga side. They tackled hard and threw everything they had at the Tongan defence, but just weren't able to crack it. The players were understandably proud of their efforts and they'll be happy that they get to finish the tournament against a more beatable opponent.
France have really struggled this World Cup, crushed by Samoa first up before barely firing a shot against an England side that was keen to improve its for-and-against record. They too will welcome the drop in ability of the team standing opposite them this weekend, but they will still find Lebanon to be more than a challenge.
This could be a fairly even clash, but Lebanon should still send France home winless.
Tip: Lebanon by 26
PointsBet odds: Lebanon $1.04 France $12
Tonga vs. Samoa
CommBank Stadium, 8:05pm (AEDT)
Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Robert Toia 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Salesi Foketi 10. Jason Taumalolo (c) 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Siua Wong 13. Tyson Frizell Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Leka Halasima 19. Latu Fainu Reserves: 20. Paul Alamoti 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 22. Sione Katoa Coach: Kristian Woolf
Samoa: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Brian To'o 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 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. Ata Mariota 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Ronald Volkman Reserves: 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Enari Tuala 22. Deine Mariner
Officials
Referee: Touchies:
Bunker:
Prediction: This is set to be the clash of the tournament, with both teams showing some good form early and both very keen to knock the other over, as a matter of national pride. CommBank is already sold out and we can expect a sea of red and blue, with both fan-bases absolutely passionate about their rugby league.
Tonga have scored 30 and 36 points in beating England and Lebanon respectively. It has been their defensive resolve which has most impressed, conceding just a total of 12 points, all to England. They look very solid, without setting the world on fire.
Samoa on the other hand have been outstanding with the ball, racking up 78 points against France and 64 against Papua New Guinea, while only conceding a total of 10 points. The Samoans have looked sharper in attack, but they will have to deal with the Tongan wall in this game, and wont be so freely breaking through.
This game could go either way really, and it should be an absolute exhibition of entertaining rugby league blended with ferocious competitiveness and fervent national pride. I am leaning towards Samoa, but either way you cant miss this one.
Tip: Samoa by 8
PointsBet odds: Tonga $1.80 Samoa $2.05
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.