NRL

Held once every four years the IRL Rugby League World Cup is back with Australia starting as defending Champions from the 2022 tournament in England.

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Week 1 matches begin on Thursday night with two of the tournament heavyweights, Australia and New Zealand, facing off at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

Four more matches complete the opening round of fixtures headlined by the critical match-up on Saturday night between Tonga and England in Perth.

The Sporting News provides the latest team news.

Week 1 — Rugby League World Cup 2026

Australia vs. New Zealand

(Thursday, October 15 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 8:05pm AEDT)

Australia team:

1. Reece Walsh
2. Jack Bostock
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. Cameron Munster
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Pat Carrigan
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Jacob Preston
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo (c)

14. Tom Dearden
15. Cameron Murray
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Keaon Koloamatangi
18. David Fifita
19. Bradman Best

Australia team news:

2025 Ashes Series incumbents Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs hold their backline spots while Mitchell Moses gets first crack at the No.7 jersey. Tom Dearden will come off the bench while Roosters premiership stars Sam Walker and James Tedesco are on the extended reserves. In the forwards Jacob Preston will make his Kangaroos debut with Cameron Murray to come off the bench.

New Zealand team:

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

14. Te Maire Martin
15. Naufahu Whyte
16. Erin Clark
17. Xavier Willison
18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
19. Keano Kini

New Zealand team news:

Having switched allegiance just before the tournament Dane Gagai will partner Casey McLean in the Kiwi centres while Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga keeps Keano Kini on the bench despite the Titans No.1 playing a starring role in last year’s Pacific Championships. NZ skipper James Fisher-Harris is partnered by Moses Leota up front, with Joseph Tapine named at lock and Naufahu Whyte set to come off the bench. Phoenix Crossland remains on the sidelines through suspension.

Samoa vs. France

(Friday, October 16 at CommBank Stadium, Sydney, 5:45pm AEDT)

Samoa team:

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
11. Connelly Lemuelu
12. Jermaine McEwen
13. Francis Manuleleua

14. Jazz Tevaga
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Shawn Blore
17. Sua Fa’alogo
18. Ata Mariota
19. Clayton Faulalo

Samoa team news:

France are set for a baptism of fire against a star-studded Samoan line-up. The backline boasts match winners in virtually every position headlined by Stephen Crichton and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow who will start at fullback, pushing Sua Fa’alogo to the bench. Knights winger Greg Marzhew missed out through injury with Deine Mariner taking his wing spot. In the forwards Samoa may be missing Payne Haas but their pack is still filled with dynamic impact players including Spencer Leniu, Jermaine McEwen and Francis Manuleleua.

France team:

1. Arthur Mourgue
2. Benjamin Laguerre
3. Latrell Siegwalt
4. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet
5. Léo Darrélatour
6. Thomas Lacans
7. Theo Fages
8. Romain Navarrete
9. Benjamin Garcia (c)
10. Lambert Belmas
11. Arthur Romano
12. Mathieu Jussaume
13. Julian Bousquet

14. Amir Bourouh
15. Tiaki Chan
16. Jordan Dezaria
17. Mathieu Cozza
18. Thomas Lacans
19. Louis Grossemy

France team news:

Not too many familiar names for NRL fans in the French lineup which is based heavily on Super League talent. The exception is young Rabbitohs outside back Latrell Siegwalt who will likely start in the centres.

Papua New Guinea vs. Lebanon

(Saturday, October 17 at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby, 3:25pm AEDT)

Papua New Guinea team:

1. Morea Morea
2. Robert Derby
3. Zac Laybutt
4. Bosam Macdonald
5. Dudley Dotoi
6. Gairo Voro
7. Bailey Biondi-Odo
8. Valentine Richard
9. Edwin Ipape
10. Luca Moretti
11. Rhyse Martin (c)
12. Nixon Putt
13. Jack de Belin

14. Finley Glare
15. Liam Horne
16. Epel Kapinias
17. Sylvester Namo
18. Rodrick Tai
19. Sanny Wabo

Papua New Guinea team news:

Port Moresby should be pumping for the Kumuls’ World Cup opener against the Cedars, despite several key players being absent through injury including Alex Johnston, Cooper Bai and Lachlan Lam. There were whispers Zac Laybutt could line up in the halves but he’s named in the centres.

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Lebanon team:

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 Ayahche
10. James Roumanos
11. Tony Sukkar
12. Charbel Tasipale
13. Alex Twal (c)

14. Moustafa Dirani
15. Mikael Ibrahim
16. Jalal Bazzaz
17. Khalil Rahme
18. Joseph Nohra
19. Abbas Miski 

Lebanon team news:

The Cedars boast an exciting group of outside backs, but the absence of the injured Adam Doueihi and Mitchell Moses who has chosen to play for Australia leaves a major hole with Bulldogs youngster Alex Conti named in the No.7 jersey. Broncos 18-year-old Tupou Francis is on the extended reserves with Tigers duo Tony Sukkar and Alex Twal to anchor the pack.

England vs. Tonga

(Saturday, October 17 at HBF Park, Perth, 8:00pm AEDT)

England team:

1. AJ Brimson
2. Dom 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

14. Jez Litten
15. Luke Thompson
16. Ethan Havard
17. Sam Walters
18. Jack Welsby
19. Matthew Ashton

England team news:

This looks a significantly stronger side than the one that lost the Ashes 3-0 to Australia twelve months ago after failing to score more than 8 points in any of its matches. New coach Brian McDermott has named Roosters star Hugo Savala with Harry Smith set to partner captain George Williams in the halves, while AJ Brimson will start at fullback ahead of Jack Welsby. Brad O’Neill edges out Jez Litten for the No.9 jersey.

Tonga team:

1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Tolu Koula
4. Robert Toia
5. Jojo Fifita
6. Latu Fainu
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Addin Fonua-Blake (c)
9. Soni Luke
10. Jason Taumalolo (c)
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Siua Wong
13. Tyson Frizell

14. Salesi Foketi
15. Stefano Utoikamanu
16. Demitric Vaimauga
17. Leka Halasima
18. Tu’imoala Lolohea
19. Paul Alamoti

Tonga team news:

A terrifying squad on paper with the perfect blend of power and skill. If Tonga can gel as a unit on the field England aren’t the only side that will have plenty to worry about over the next month. Co-captains Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake will start up front, with Leka Halasima, Stefano Utoikamanu and Salesi Foketi to provide impact off the bench. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki can only make the extended reserves. Latu Fainu will partner Isaiya Katoa in the halves.

Fiji vs. Cook Islands

(Sunday, October 18 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 4:05pm AEDT)

Fiji team:

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 (c)
10. Mitchell Prest
11. Taane Milne
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Caleb Navale

14. Josese Lanyon
15. Emosi Ravosai
16. Elijah Keung
17. Ronald Philitoga
18. Apenisa Driti
19. Jordan Leiu

Fiji team news:

The Bati are missing some of their biggest names, but will still enter this match as solid favourites. With captain Api Koroisau at No.9 Sea Eagles hooker Brandon Wakeham will likely start in the halves alongside versatile Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape will start at fullback with Sunia Turuva named on the wing.

Cook Islands team:

1. Esom Ioka 
2. Paul Ulberg
3. KL Iro (c)
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

14. Rua Ngatikaura
15. K-CI Newton-Whare
16. Rhys Dakin
17. Brad Takairangi
18. Glassie Glassie
19. Chaev Kolone

Cook Islands team news:

Neither Marata Niukore or Valentine Holmes will play in week one. Sharks centre KL Iro provides some real spark in the backline and will skipper the side with Esan Marsters named to start at halfback. 

Week 1 Results, Rugby League World Cup 2026:

Come back once matches begin for the latest results from the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

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