An early knockout game in the World Cup. Winner goes through. Loser goes home. It does not get bigger than this for these two sides.
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Men’s Rugby League World Cup
- England vs Papua New Guinea → england-vs-papua-new-guinea-rlwc-preview-2026
- New Zealand vs Fiji → new-zealand-vs-fiji-rlwc-preview-2026
- Australia vs Cook Islands → australia-vs-cook-islands-rlwc-preview-2026
- Tonga vs Samoa → tonga-vs-samoa-rlwc-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Saturday 3.00pm AEDT at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Referee: Grant Atkins | Senior Review Official: Todd Smith
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, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison, 18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 19. Scott Sorensen, R. Leo Thompson, R. Jacob Laban, R. 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, R. Zion Johnson, R. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, R. Kylan Mafoa
Match Preview
There have been a few changes from both sides in this must-win game. Dane Gagai and Moses Leota are back in the starting outfit after being rested against the Cook Islands, so that means Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad moves to the six-man bench, and there is a shuffle to the forward pack.
Head coach Stacey Jones welcomes Isaiah Papali’i back into the squad alongside Briton Nikora and Joseph Tapine. The reshuffle sees Xavier Willison, Erin Clark and Scott Sorensen move to the interchange, while last week’s debutant Tanner Stowers-Smith drops to the reserves.
Fiji were forced into a few changes after last week’s close encounter with the World Champions. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape is out injured so there is a shuffle at the back. Sunia Turuva takes the reins at fullback and Ronald Philitoga comes off the bench to fill the vacant wing position. The other change the Bati were forced into making was due to Mitchell Prest being suspended for a high shot on Lindsay Smith.
This will be the third game in history between these two sides, with each side winning one match. There hasn’t been a margin more than six points in either game, so this should be a close contest to decide who finishes second in Pool A.
This game is going to be won in the pack, and the early stages will be interesting as both sides will be looking to wear each other down, so the latter part of the contest can be easier – but this is basically knockout rugby league. No one is giving up without a fight. The interchanges are going to be a major point in this game, but New Zealand just have the edge in that department with players like Naufahu Whyte, Clark, and Nicoll-Klokstad ready to come on.
We are getting treated to a quarter-final of sorts this weekend, and it won’t disappoint, but the result will be a familiar one for the Kiwis. They are expected to make it through, but Fiji will not make it easy for them.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: New Zealand by 8.
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