We have reached the semifinal stage of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with the four best teams left to fight it out for a place in the Men's final and four teams left to battle for a place in the Women's final
Can Samoa and Tonga upset Australia and New Zealand to give us a repeat of their epic clash last Sunday? Can anyone stop the Jillaroos?
Saturday, November 7
Women's
New Zealand vs. Tonga
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 5:45pm (AEDT)
New Zealand: 1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor (c) 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale (c) 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa Bench: 14. Ash Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Brianna Clark 20. Zahara Temara 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison
Samoa: 1. Destiny Mino-Sinapati 2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala 3. Monica Tagoai 4. Tyra Ekepati 5. Freedom Crichton Ropati 6. Evania Isaako (c) 7. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale 8. Annetta Nuuausala (c) 9. Mary-Jane Taito 10. Laikha Clarke 11. Leilani Wilson 12. Ivana Lolesio 13. Fanua Rimoni Bench: 14. Tavarna Papalii 15. Christabelle Onesemo 16. Jasmine Fogavini 17. Christian Pio Reserves: 18. Jaydika Tafua 19. Anastasia Leatupue 20. Evelyn Roberts 21. Jetaya Faifua 22. Amanii Misa
Officials
Referee: Tara Jones Touchies: Tori Wilkie, Karra-Lee Nolan
Bunker: Todd Smith
Prediction: New Zealand started the tournament with a hard-fought 18-12 victory over Fiji in performance which revealed a lot of rust. They piled on 92 unanswered points against France in Week 2, finding plenty of space to work on their combinations and on their defensive resolve. Up against some stiffer opposition from Papua New Guinea, they managed another comfortable victory.
Samoa restricted Australia to 40 points in their opening game, before winning their next two games convincingly against Wales and England. They have some exciting outside backs who love to run wild behind a dominant pack. If they are to win this one, they will need the space created by their forwards.
This should be a quality contest, with New Zealand favoured to win, but definitely not without a fight.
Tip: New Zealand by 12
PointsBet odds: New Zealand $1.28 (-10.5 $1.90) Samoa $3.60 (+10.5 $1.90)
Men's
New Zealand vs. Tonga
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 8:05pm (AEDT)
New Zealand: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Dane Gagai 4. Casey McLean 5. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 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. Scott Sorensen 19. Leo Thompson 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith 21. Kalyn Ponga 22. Phoenix Crossland
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 Reserves: 18. Leka Halasima 19. Latu Fainu 20. Paul Alamoti 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 22. Sione Katoa
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Daniel Luttringer, Matt Noyen
Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
Prediction: New Zealand started the tournament with a tough loss to Australia, but have really found their feet since, running up big scores while stifling their opponents. They have tightened up their defence, freed up their outside backs and built a formidable combination of sharp backline movements behind a dominating pack. On paper, they remain the best side in the tournament and will be very tough to beat.
Tonga have been the big improvers in this edition of the World Cup. They too have a very impressive lineup and coach Kristian Woolf has them believing in themselves and willing to give their lives in defence of their try line. Their defensive resolve has been impressive, although they did allow Samoa to cross for four tries during their monumental victory last Sunday.
You can guarantee a very passionate crowd for this one, with a see of red and black in Newcastle. It promises to be another great clash, with New Zealand possibly finishing in front thanks to a more experienced lineup. Mistakes will decide this one, with the most disciplined side advancing to the final.
Tip: New Zealand by 8
PointsBet odds: New Zealand $1.45 (-6.5 $1.90) Tonga $2.75 (+6.5 $1.90)
Sunday, November 8
Women's
Australia vs. Fiji
Allianz Stadium, 5:45pm (AEST)
Australia: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Jaime Chapman 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly (c) 5. Abbi Church 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Simaima Taufa 11. Tiana Penitani 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Olivia Kernick Bench: 14. Keeley Nizza 15. Keilee Joseph 16. Kezie Apps 17. Sariah Paki Reserves: 18. Sheridan Gallagher 19. Ellie Johnston
Fiji: 1. Cassie Staples 2. Maria Paseka 3. Isabella Waterman 4. Sienna Laing 5. Taina Naividi 6. Luisa Yaranamua 7. Losana Lutu 8. Latisha Smythe 9. Sereana Naitokatoka (c) 10. Lorren Ieli 11. Elizabeth Naleba 12. Talei Holmes 13. Leilani Ahsam Bench: 14. Tahlia Marshall 15. Teaghan Hartigan 16. Ema Masi 17. Aliti Namoce Reserves: 18. Nanise Vakacavu 19. Naomi Tegu
Officials
Referee: Belinda Sharpe Touchies: Dillan Wells, Izzy Davidson
Bunker: Liam Kennedy
Prediction: The Jillaroos have been an unstoppable machine in this tournament so far. Last week they set a world record in crushing Wales, and did it while giving their back-up players a run. For this semifinal coach Jess Skinner has rolled out the big guns, all rested and ready to fire against the Fijians.
Fiji has had an outstanding tournament to make the semifinals, smashing France last week, Papua New Guinea the week prior and starting off with a narrow six-point loss to New Zealand. They will be fired up to take the Jillaroos on up the middle of the park and the collisions will be intense.
Still, Australia are at unbackable odds, literally, and should run up a score against Fiji on their way to the final.
Tip: Australia by 52
PointsBet odds: Australia $N/A (-60.5 $1.90) Fiji $67 (+60.5 $1.90)
Men's
Australia vs. Samoa
Allianz Stadium, 8:05pm (AEST)
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. Latrell Mitchell 21. Sam Walker Reserve: 22. Blayke Brailey
Samoa: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Brian To'o 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Ronald Volkman 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. Deine Mariner Reserve: 20. Pasami Saulo
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Tyson Brough
Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: Australia started with a hard-fought victory over New Zealand, and have continued to tinker with the lineup, giving everyone a run on the way to identifying the best players to lead the title defence. Fullback has been the most contentious position with Reece Walsh and James Tedesco two of the best fullbacks in the game. Walters has elected to go with Walsh again for the semifinal after his impressive performance last week.
Samoa were unlucky not to beat Tonga last week, scoring more tries, but having a shocker with their goal kicking. They have an impressive team right across the park, from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback to Spencer Leniu on the bench. They have lost five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita to injury, but Robert Volkman proved to be a more than handy replacement when he came off the bench against Tonga.
This battle, like all the big ones, will be won in the forwards. Samoa's front-row rotation isn't as impressive as New Zealand's or Tonga's, but may still have the Australians covered. Australia have been man-handled up front in almost all of their games this tournament, but have still eked out an undefeated record.
If Australia can scramble and frustrate Jarome Luai and his backline, they should win. It is a real toss-of-the-coin clash, with Australia advancing to the final on the back of a lower error rate and cooler heads.
Tip: Australia by 10
PointsBet odds: Australia $1.35 (-8.5 $1.95) Samoa $3.25 (+8.5 $1.85)
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.