Round 1 of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup delivered drama, upsets and statement victories across both tournaments. Australia survived a thrilling 24-22 win over New Zealand despite losing Mitchell Moses to injury, while Tonga produced the biggest upset of the opening weekend by defeating England 30-12 and pushing the Three Lions to the brink of elimination.
Round 1 Talking Points
- Tonga puts England on the brink of elimination.
- Australia defeats New Zealand despite losing Mitchell Moses.
- Samoa records the biggest win of the tournament so far.
- Papua New Guinea strengthens its semi-final hopes.
- Fiji and Australia open Pool A with important victories.
Review
Australia vs New Zealand
The World Cup opener at Allianz Stadium didn’t have the same sudden-death feel that later games will have, but it was still an entertaining contest between two of the tournament’s powerhouses. While Australia had no specialist wingers in their main squad (with Tom Jenkins named as a shadow player), debutant Jack Bostock (who has played wing and centre for the Dolphins) showed he could fill one wing position by scoring a hat-trick, and Tom Trbojevic scored a try on the other wing.
New Zealand will rue the missed opportunity to beat Australia after a dominant first half. They should have led by 20 at half-time, with Australia’s two tries (Bostock and Trbojevic) coming off long-range intercepts with the Kiwis in attacking positions, while Casey McLean opened the tournament with a spectacular try in the left corner. And Ronaldo Mulitalo was denied a try in the second half, when Isaiah Papali’i was ruled offside, with New Zealand ahead 16-10.
While he hasn’t played since August, Reece Walsh – chosen ahead of Clive Churchill Medallist James Tedesco – had an absorbing battle with New Zealand fullback Kalyn Ponga: with five minutes left before half-time, he tackled Ponga into touch to prevent a likely try; Ponga got his revenge midway through the second half when he beat Walsh to complete a 60-metre try; and Walsh responded with an 80-metre try to get Australia within two points.
Both sides had key injuries that may have implications for the rest of the tournament. Finally able to represent New Zealand after the change in the Origin eligibility rules, Ponga scored a double but left the field in the 70th minute with a suspected broken forearm, while Australia lost Mitch Moses (high-grade muscle tear on the lower leg) for the rest of the tournament, with Tom Dearden playing the last 39 minutes at halfback. Keano Kini replaced Ponga and is a good choice at fullback for the time being, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad another option.
The Verdict: Both Australia and New Zealand will make the semi-finals as they’ll comfortably win their remaining Pool games against Fiji and the Cook Islands. The Kangaroos should use the next two games to try some new combinations (with Dearden or Sam Walker likely to replace Moses and Ethan Strange brought into the main squad) and give the majority of the squad a run before the finals. The Kiwis will use this loss as a learning experience and should be more ruthless in their next two games, although Ponga’s absence is a blow, especially as he was so passionate about playing for New Zealand. Will we see a repeat of 2008 with another Australia vs New Zealand World Cup Final at Suncorp Stadium?
Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon
PNG kept their semi-final hopes alive after beating Lebanon at Santos National Football Stadium. With upcoming games against Samoa and England, the Kumuls needed to put a big score on the Cedars. Though the final margin didn’t reflect a reasonably close contest: Lebanon trailed 30-18 (a double to Abbas Miski) with 10 minutes left before tries to Rhyse Martin and Bailey Biondi-Odo put the game away. In his final World Cup for PNG, Martin’s 18 points (a try and seven goals) saw him pass 250 points across 21 Tests and nine World Cup games.
The Verdict: PNG and Samoa (beating France 78-4) both won their opening games, so next Saturday’s game at Santos National Football Stadium should decide one of the Pool B and C semi-final spots.
England vs Tonga
Tonga got one step closer to the semi-finals after beating England at Perth’s HBF Park. Haumole Olakau’atu scored a double in his first game for Tonga since the 2024 Pacific Championships, while Isaiya Katoa kicked seven goals from eight attempts and grubbered for both of Olakau’atu’s tries. Tonga set up their win with a 10-0 half-time lead and extended it to 22-6 after Tolutau Koula’s try in the 55th minute. Returning to the NRL in 2027, George Williams gave Dolphins fans something to look forward to: linking with Hugo Savala to set up AJ Brimson’s try early in the second half, and throwing a long cut-out pass to Savala in the lead-up to Dom Young’s try, which got England within 12 points.
The Verdict: Tonga can all but secure their semi-final spot with a win over Lebanon next weekend. England are now in sudden-death mode, needing to beat both France and PNG to stay in semi-final contention.
Other Results
Summary of results
Results
Men
Australia 24 – 22 New Zealand
| Full Time Score | Full Time: Australia 24 – 22 New Zealand |
| Scorers | Australia 24 (Tries: Jack Bostock 19′, 56′, 75′; Tom Trbojevic 30′; Reece Walsh 68′. Goals: Reece Walsh 32′, 57′) New Zealand 22 (Tries: Casey McLean 3′; Kalyn Ponga 46′, 59′. Goals: Jamayne Isaako 5′, 25′ PG, 38′ PG, 48′, 61′) |
| Half-Time | Australia 10 – 10 New Zealand |
| Date | Thursday, 15th October 2026 |
| Venue | Allianz Stadium |
| Players | Australia: Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock, Latrell Mitchell, Kotoni Staggs, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Mitchell Moses, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Tom Dearden, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Keaon Koloamatangi New Zealand: Kalyn Ponga, Jamayne Isaako, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris, Jeremy Marshall-King, Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali’i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison, Keano Kini |
Samoa 78 – 4 France
| Full Time Score | Full Time: Samoa 78 – 4 France |
| Scorers | Samoa 78 (Tries: Deine Mariner 2′, Benaiah Ioelu 5′, 80′, Jermaine McEwen 7′, Sualauvi Fa’alogo 13′, 36′, 63′, 67′, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 17′, Stephen Crichton 42′, Shawn Blore 55′, Chanel Harris-Tavita 70′, Izack Tago 74′, Francis Molo 77′. Goals: Stephen Crichton 4′, 6′, 8′, 19′, 38′, 44′, 57′, 71′, 76′, 78′, 80′) France 4 (Tries: Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet 24′. Goals: None) |
| Half-Time | Samoa 34 – 4 France |
| Date | Thursday, 15th October 2026 |
| Venue | CommBank Stadium |
| Players | Samoa: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Brian To’o, Izack Tago, Stephen Crichton, Deine Mariner, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jarome Luai, Francis Molo, Benaiah Ioelu, Junior Paulo, Connelly Lemuelu, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Manuleleua, Jazz Tevaga, Spencer Leniu, Shawn Blore, Sualauvi Fa’alogo France: Arthur Mourgue, Benjamin Laguerre, Latrell Siegwalt, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Leo Darrelatour, Cesar Rouge, Theo Fages, Romain Navarrete, Benjamin Garcia, Lambert Belmas, Arthur Romano, Mathieu Jussaume, Mathieu Cozza, Amir Bourouh, Tiaki Chan, Jordan Dezaria, Louis Grossemy |
Papua New Guinea 42 – 18 Lebanon
| Full Time Score | Full Time: Papua New Guinea 42 – 18 Lebanon |
| Scorers | Papua New Guinea 42 (Tries: Gairo Voro 7′, Robert Derby 19′, Nixon Putt 30′, Finley Glare 42′, Epel Kapinias 47′, Rhyse Martin 71′, Bailey Biondi-Odo 74′. Goals: Rhyse Martin 8′, 21′, 31′, 43′, 49′, 72′, 74′) Lebanon 18 (Tries: Abbas Miski 35′, 53′; Tony Sukkar 39′. Goals: Alex Conti 37′, 40′, 55′) |
| Half-Time | Papua New Guinea 18 – 12 Lebanon |
| Date | Date not provided |
| Venue | Santos National Football Stadium |
| Players | Papua New Guinea: Morea Morea, Robert Derby, Zac Laybutt, Nene Macdonald, Dudley Dotoi, Gairo Voro, Valentine Richard, Edwin Ipape, Luca Moretti, Rhyse Martin, Nixon Putt, Finley Glare, Liam Horne, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Jack De Belin, Epel Kapinias, Sylvester Namo Lebanon: Jacob Kiraz, Tony Francis, Michael Gabrael, Jordan Samrani, Jason Saab, Khaled Rajab, Alex Conti, Jaxson Rahme, Yehya Ayache, James Roumanos, Tony Sukkar, Alex Twal, Mikael Ibrahim, Moustafa Dirani, Jalal Bazzaz, Abbas Miski, Tupou Francis |
England 12 – 30 Tonga
| Full Time Score | Full Time: England 12 – 30 Tonga |
| Scorers | England 12 (Tries: AJ Brimson 45′, Dominic Young 62′. Goals: Hugo Savala 47′, 63′) Tonga 30 (Tries: Stefano Utoikamanu 23′, Haumole Olakau’atu 52′, 70′, Tolutau Koula 55′. Goals: Isaiya Katoa 24′, 53′, 57′, 27′ PG, 39′ PG, 60′ PG, 75′ PG) |
| Half-Time | England 0 – 10 Tonga |
| Date | Saturday, 17th October 2026 |
| Venue | HBF Park |
| Players | England: AJ Brimson, Dominic Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O’Neill, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley, Luke Thompson, Jez Litten, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Ben Currie Tonga: Lehi Hopoate, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Tolutau Koula, Robert Toia, Jojo Fifita, Latu Fainu, Isaiya Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau’atu, Siua Wong, Tyson Frizell, Salesi Foketi, Stefano Utoikamanu, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima, Tuimoala Lolohea |
Fiji 40 – 12 Cook Islands
| Full Time Score | Full Time: Fiji 40 – 12 Cook Islands |
| Scorers | Fiji 40 (Tries: Solomone Saukuru 5′, 69′; Waqa Blake 12′; Jacob Saifiti 28′; Taane Milne 35′; Caleb Navale 37′; Kitione Kautoga 47′. Goals: Brandon Wakeham 7′, 13′, 30′, 36′, 48′, 71′) Cook Islands 12 (Tries: Maui Winitana-Patelesio 59′; Davvy Moale 63′. Goals: Maui Winitana-Patelesio 60′, 64′) |
| Half-Time | Fiji 28 – 0 Cook Islands |
| Date | Sunday, 18th October 2026 |
| Venue | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| Players | Fiji: Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Sunia Turuva, Waqa Blake, Solomone Saukuru, Semi Valemei, Kurt Donoghoe, Brandon Wakeham, Jacob Saifiti, Api Koroisau, Mitchell Prest, Taane Milne, Kitione Kautoga, Caleb Navale, Josese Lanyon, Emosi Ravosai, Elijah Keung, Jordin Leiu Cook Islands: Esom Ioka, Paul Ulberg, KL Iro, Reubenn Rennie, Cameron Brown, Maui Winitana-Patelesio, Esan Marsters, Davvy Moale, Mason Teague, Makahesi Makatoa, Reuben Porter, Delahia Wigmore, Pride Petterson-Robati, Rua Ngatikaura, K-CI Newton-Whare, Brad Takairangi, Chaev Kolone |
Ladder
Pool A: Fiji 2 (+28), Australia 2 (+2), New Zealand 0 (-2), Cook Islands 0 (-28)
Pool B & C: Samoa 2 (+74), Papua New Guinea 2 (+24), Tonga 2 (+18), England 0 (-18), Lebanon 0 (-24), France 0 (-74)
The top two teams from the combined Pool B and Pool C table progress to the semi-finals.
Women
Australia 40 – 0 Samoa
| Full Time Score | Full Time: Australia 40 – 0 Samoa |
| Scorers | Australia 40 (Tries: Jaime Chapman 10′, Julia Robinson 17′, Shaylee Bent 22′, Keeley Nizza 26′, Olivia Kernick 34′, Keilee Joseph 44′, Jessica Sergis 67′. Goals: Jocelyn Kelleher 12′, 18′, 27′, 34′, 46′, 68′) Samoa 0 (Tries: None. Goals: None) |
| Half-Time | Australia 28 – 0 Samoa |
| Date | Thursday, 15th October 2026 |
| Venue | CommBank Stadium |
| Players | Australia: Tamika Upton, Jaime Chapman, Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Julia Robinson, Jocelyn Kelleher, Tarryn Aiken, Millie Elliott, Olivia Higgins, Simaima Taufa, Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Keilee Joseph, Tiana Penitani Gray, Ellie Johnston Samoa: Destiny Mino-Sinapati, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Monica Tagoai, Sarina Masaga, Freedom Crichton Ropati, Taliah Fuimaono, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, Annetta Nuuausala, Mary-Jane Taito, Laikha Clarke, Evania Isa’ako, Ivana Lolesio, Leilani Wilson, Evelyn Roberts, Fanua Rimoni, Amber Hall, Jasmine Fogavini |
Papua New Guinea 58 – 4 France
| Full Time Score | Full Time: Papua New Guinea 58 – 4 France |
| Scorers | Papua New Guinea 58 (Tries: Relna Wuruki-Hosea 6′, Shellie Long 18′, 63′, Fleur Ginn 20′, 46′, Tia Molo 24′, 48′, Naomi Kelly 28′, 43′, 51′, 61′, Ivania Wong 32′. Goals: Emily Veivers 8′, 19′, 22′, 29′, 47′) France 4 (Tries: Manon Samarra 36′. Goals: None) |
| Half-Time | Papua New Guinea 32 – 0 France |
| Date | Saturday, 17th October 2026 |
| Venue | Santos National Football Stadium |
| Players | Papua New Guinea: Anika Butler, Ivania Wong, Relna Wuruki-Hosea, Tia Molo, Naomi Kelly, Fleur Ginn, Cynthiah Peters, Elsie Albert, Ua Ravu, Jafinda Sap, Belinda Gwasamun, Shellie Long, Emily Veivers, Therese Aiton, Essay Banu, Jenny David, India Seeto France: Manon Samarra, Perle Ramazeilles, Melissa Medina, Amael Vilanove, Camille Boudaud, Lisa Diraison, Elisa Akpa, Cristina Song Puche, Elodie Pacull, Perrine Monsarrat, Stacy Bessiere, Leila Bessahli, Margot Canal, Fanny Ramos, Tallis Eranossian, Salome Segala, Louisa Tooman |
England 70 – 6 Wales
| Full Time Score | Full Time: England 70 – 6 Wales |
| Scorers | England 70 (Tries: Amelia Brown 2′, 56′; Georgia Wilson 13′; Connie Boyd 16′, 21′, 63′; Hollie-Mae Dodd 19′; Anna Davies 26′, 67′, 69′; Isabel Rowe 34′, 46′; Jasmin Strange 36′. Goals: Isabel Rowe 4′, 18′, 20′, 23′, 27′, 34′, 48′, 57′, 69′) Wales 6 (Tries: Paige Travis 8′. Goals: Tayla Preston 10′) |
| Half-Time | England 40 – 6 Wales |
| Date | Saturday, 17th October 2026 |
| Venue | HBF Park |
| Players | England: Fran Goldthorp, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Isabel Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams, Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Foubister, Hope Millard Wales: Leanne Burnell, Dani McGifford, Hannah Bluck, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton, Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams |
New Zealand 18 – 12 Fiji
| Full Time Score | Full Time: New Zealand 18 – 12 Fiji |
| Scorers | New Zealand 18 (Tries: Stacey Waaka 2′, 31′; Leianne Tufuga 67′. Goals: Zahara Temara 32′, 51′ PG, 64′ PG) Fiji 12 (Tries: Losana Lutu 21′, Sienna Laing 27′. Goals: Sereana Naitokatoka 22′; Luisa Yaranamua 29′) |
| Half-Time | New Zealand 10 – 12 Fiji |
| Date | Sunday, 18th October 2026 |
| Venue | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| Players | New Zealand: Apii Nicholls, Leianne Tufuga, Mele Hufanga, Abigail Roache, Stacey Waaka, Zahara Temara, Raecene McGregor, Otesa Pule, Georgia Hale, Shannon Mato, Annessa Biddle, Kaiyah Atai, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, Ashleigh Quinlan, Alexis Tauaneai, Ivana Lauitiiti, Brianna Clark Fiji: Cassie Staples, Maria Paseka, Isabella Waterman, Taina Naividi, Sienna Laing, Luisa Yaranamua, Losana Lutu, Latisha Smythe, Sereana Naitokatoka, Leilani Ahsam, Elizabeth Naleba, Tamika Jones, Talei Holmes, Tahlia Marshall, Teaghan Hartigan, Lorren Ieli, Nanise Vakacavu |
Ladder
Pool A: England 2 (+64), Australia 2 (+40), Samoa 0 (-40), Wales 0 (-64)
Pool B: Papua New Guinea 2 (+54), New Zealand 2 (+6), Fiji 0 (-6), France 0 (-54)
