The 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup gets underway with a fascinating clash between tournament favourites Australia and World Cup newcomers Samoa. The Jillaroos boast a squad stacked with NRLW stars and international experience, while Fetu Samoa will be eager to make a statement in their first appearance at the tournament since 2008.
Featured Men’s Rugby League World Cup
- Australia vs New Zealand → australia-vs-new-zealand-rlwc-preview-2026
- Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon → papua-new-guinea-vs-lebanon-rlwc-preview-2026
- England vs Tonga → england-vs-tonga-rlwc-preview-2026
- Fiji vs Cook Islands → fiji-vs-cook-islands-rlwc-preview-2026
Featured Women’s Rugby League World Cup
- Australia vs Samoa → australia-vs-samoa-womens-rlwc-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Friday 16 October, 8:05pm at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
📺 Broadcast: Seven / 7plus
Referee: Kasey Badger | Senior Review Official: Peter Gough
Australia: 1. Tamika Upton, 2. Jaime Chapman, 3. Jessica Sergis, 4. Isabelle Kelly (c), 5. Julia Robinson, 6. Jocelyn Kelleher, 7. Tarryn Aiken, 8. Millie Elliott, 9. Olivia Higgins, 10. Simaima Taufa, 11. Kezie Apps, 12. Shaylee Bent, 13. Olivia Kernick, 14. Keeley Nizza, 15. Keilee Joseph, 16. Tiana Penitani Gray, 17. Ellie Johnston, R. Makenzie Weale, R. Abbi Church, R. Jesse Southwell, R. Sariah Paki, R. Quincy Dodd
Samoa: 1. Destiny Mino-Sinapati, 2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, 3. Monica Tagoai, 4. Sarina Masaga, 5. Freedom Crichton Ropati, 6. Taliah Fuimaono, 7. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, 8. Annetta Nu’uausala (c), 9. Mary-Jane Taito, 10. Laikha Clarke, 11. Evania Isa’ako (c), 12. Ivana Lolesio, 13. Leilani Wilson, 14. Evelyn Roberts, 15. Fanua Rimoni, 16. Amber Hall, 17. Jasmine Solia, R. Tavarna Papalii, R. Jaydika Tafua, R. Jetaya Faifua, R. Christabelle Onesemo, R. Christian Pio
Match Preview
The 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup kicks off with a blockbuster between the Australian Jillaroos and Fetu Samoa.
Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner has named a star-studded lineup for Friday night’s opener, with 11 players returning from last year’s Pacific Championships campaign. Roosters and New South Wales skipper Isabelle Kelly is the new captain after Ali Brigginshaw was left out of the squad. Jocelyn Kelleher has been named to debut at five-eighth alongside Karyn Murphy Medallist Tarryn Aiken, who missed the Pacific Championships through injury. Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton is the fullback with Olivia Higgins rounding out the spine at hooker. Millie Elliott returns to the side after being unavailable in 2025 due to maternity reasons, while Shaylee Bent, Jaime Chapman and Simaima Taufa all return to the side after missing selection last year.
New coach Frank Pritchard has named a strong squad for Samoa’s first Women’s Rugby League World Cup appearance in 18 years, with all 23 players having NRLW experience and seven of the starting 17 having played in last year’s Pacific Championships. Prop Annetta Nu’uausala is captain and the leader of a powerful forward pack that also includes Laikha Clarke, Ivana Lolesio, Evania Isa’ako and Amber Hall. TaliaTaliah Fuimaono and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale form an experienced halves combination, with Destiny Mino-Sinapati at fullback and Dally M Rookie of the Year Mercedez Taulelei-Siala on the wing.
On paper, Australia should win easily. They have more experience and more top-line players. Samoa’s best chance of an upset is in the forwards, where they come close to matching Australia’s experience. Four of Australia’s back five (Upton, Kelly, Jessica Sergis and Julia Robinson) were named in the Dally M Team of the Year and are proven performers at international level.
The two teams have met three times in international matches, with Australia winning all three, including a 60-0 thrashing in Brisbane in last year’s Pacific Championships. The Jillaroos scored 11 tries on that occasion, including doubles to Upton, Sergis and Robinson. Their only World Cup meeting was in 2003, with Australia winning that match 40-12.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Australia by 30
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