Australia and Fiji meet in a battle of the unbeaten teams in Pool A, with a place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals moving firmly into sight for the winner. The Kangaroos survived a major scare against New Zealand in the tournament opener, while Fiji comfortably accounted for the Cook Islands and now face their toughest test of the competition.
Despite several changes to the Australian line-up, including a new-look spine and four debutants, the Kangaroos remain overwhelming favourites. Fiji will need a near-perfect performance from their experienced leaders if they are to produce one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
Read Full Previews
Men’s Rugby League World Cup
- Tonga vs Lebanon → tonga-vs-lebanon-rlwc-preview-2026
- Papua New Guinea vs Samoa → papua-new-guinea-vs-samoa-rlwc-preview-2026
- England vs France → england-vs-france-rlwc-preview-2026
- New Zealand vs Cook Islands → new-zealand-vs-cook-islands-rlwc-preview-2026
- Australia vs Fiji → australia-vs-fiji-rlwc-preview-2026
Women’s Rugby League World Cup
- Australia vs England → australia-vs-england-womens-rlwc-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Sunday, October 25, 8:05pm AEDT at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Gerard Sutton | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Australia: 1. James Tedesco (c), 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Keaon Koloamatangi, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Lindsay Smith, 11. David Fifita, 12. Reuben Cotter, 13. Cameron Murray, 14. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 15. Jacob Preston, 16. Patrick Carrigan, 17. Cameron Munster, 18. Reece Walsh, 19. Latrell Mitchell, 20. Liam Martin, 21. Harry Grant, 22. Isaah Yeo
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 (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. Jordin Leiu, 19. Apenisa Driti, 20. Joseph Litidamu, 21. Zion Johnson, 22. Kylan Mafoa
Match Preview
The two undefeated teams in Pool A go head-to-head on Sunday night in Brisbane, to close out the second week of the 2026 World Cup, when Australia take on Fiji.
The Kangaroos kicked off the tournament with a thrilling 24-22 win over New Zealand, while Fiji cruised past the Cook Islands 40-12.
Kevin Walters has shuffled the Australian line-up for this match, including four debutants. Sam Walker replaces the injured Mitchell Moses at halfback and joins Bradman Best and Blayke Brailey as first-time internationals. David Fifita will play his first game for Australia, having previously represented Tonga. 2022 World Cup winning captain James Tedesco returns to the side for the first time since 2023 and will resume the captaincy with Isaah Yeo being rested. Lindsay Smith will make his first appearance of the tournament at prop, with Harry Grant and Liam Martin rested, while the remainder of the bench from game one will start for this game.
Fijian coach Mick Potter has opted to keep it simple, naming an identical squad to that which beat the Cook Islands in Newcastle on Sunday.
It was Jack Bostock’s night at Allianz Stadium last Thursday as he scored three tries and assisted a fourth to help Australia to a two-point win to open the tournament. The Kangaroos won’t want to rely on him to save them again, but they won’t have a chance to work on combinations with so many changes. Fiji’s chances of an upset are slim, and they will require huge performances from leaders such as Jacob Saifiti and Apisai Koroisau if they are to break their duck against Australia.
This is Fiji’s seventh Rugby League World Cup and the eighth meeting between the two nations. In that time they’ve scored five tries total and never reached double figures in a game, been held scoreless three times, and never had a closer result than their 34-2 loss during the group stage in 2013. Australia won their most recent meeting 42-8 at Headingley in 2022.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Australia by 30.
Want to try your hand at writing match previews?
We’re always looking for new rugby league contributors to share their thoughts on upcoming NRL games.
No experience needed — just strong opinions and a love of the game
👉 Get started here
