Rugby League World Cup 2026, Round 1 wrap, men's Round 1, match highlights, injuries

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Mon 19 Oct 2026, 08:35 AM

The IRL Rugby League World Cup kicked off with a slashing weekend of matches that featured standout displays from Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga, Sua Fa'alogo and Isaiya Katoa.

After the Kangaroos and Kiwis launched the tournament with an instant classic at Allianz Stadium we saw Samoa flex their muscle and Papua New Guinea topple Lebanon.

Tonga and England turned on a ripping contest in Perth with the class of Katoa and the power of Haumole Olakau'atu ensuring the red army would go home happy after a 30-12 win.

On a sun-drenched Sunday in Newcastle it was the Fiji Bati exploding out of the blocks to lead 28-0 at the break before Cook Islands fought back to share the spoils two tries apiece in the second term.

The Bati were led by a double from Solomone Saukure and mega run metres from Waqa Blake (188m), Caleb Navale (202m) and Sunia Turuva (169m).

Fiji's 40-12 win takes them to the top of Pool A after Round 1 with the Kangaroos in second place and New Zealand third.

A new-look Kangaroos outfit will face the Bati in Brisbane in Round 2 in a clash that promises to have Suncorp Stadium rocking.

Samoa sit atop the combined Pool B and C thanks to a +74 differential with Papua New Guinea (+24) in second place and Tonga (+12) in third.

The Kumuls welcome Samoa to Port Moresby in Round 2 for a crucial clash while Tonga head to Sydney to face Lebanon.

A spine tingling Sipi Tau

Australia v New Zealand

Thursday, October 15, 8.05pm AEDT at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 15 Oct

Full Time

Australia

New Zealand

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Australia is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for New Zealand is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Australia is number 2 Jack Bostock

Winger for New Zealand is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
Centre for Australia is number 3 Latrell Mitchell

Centre for New Zealand is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Australia is number 4 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for New Zealand is number 4 Casey McLean
Winger for Australia is number 5 Tom Trbojevic

Winger for New Zealand is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Australia is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for New Zealand is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
Halfback for Australia is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for New Zealand is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Australia is number 8 Patrick Carrigan

Prop for New Zealand is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Australia is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for New Zealand is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
Prop for Australia is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Prop for New Zealand is number 10 Moses Leota
2nd Row for Australia is number 11 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for New Zealand is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
2nd Row for Australia is number 12 Liam Martin

2nd Row for New Zealand is number 12 Briton Nikora
Lock for Australia is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for New Zealand is number 13 Joseph Tapine

Interchange

Interchange for Australia is number 14 Tom Dearden

Interchange for New Zealand is number 15 Naufahu Whyte
Interchange for Australia is number 15 Cameron Murray

Interchange for New Zealand is number 16 Erin Clark
Interchange for Australia is number 16 Reuben Cotter

Interchange for New Zealand is number 17 Xavier Willison
Interchange for Australia is number 17 Keaon Koloamatangi

Interchange for New Zealand is number 19 Keano Kini
Reserve for Australia is number 18 David Fifita

Reserve for New Zealand is number 14 Te Maire Martin
Reserve for Australia is number 19 Bradman Best

Reserve for New Zealand is number 18 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Tyson Brough
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 10/18/2026 10:20:31 PM

Australia v New Zealand – Round 1, 2026

Samoa v France

Friday, October 16, 5.45pm AEDT at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Samoa v France – Round 1, 2026

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 16 Oct

Full Time

Samoa

France

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Samoa is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Fullback for France is number 1 Arthur Mourgue
Winger for Samoa is number 2 Brian To'o

Winger for France is number 2 Benjamin Laguerre
Centre for Samoa is number 3 Izack Tago

Centre for France is number 3 Latrell Siegwalt
Centre for Samoa is number 4 Stephen Crichton

Centre for France is number 4 Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet
Winger for Samoa is number 5 Deine Mariner

Winger for France is number 5 Leo Darrelatour
Five-Eighth for Samoa is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Five-Eighth for France is number 6 Cesar Rouge
Halfback for Samoa is number 7 Jarome Luai

Halfback for France is number 7 Theo Fages

Forwards

Prop for Samoa is number 8 Francis Molo

Prop for France is number 8 Romain Navarrete
Hooker for Samoa is number 9 Benaiah Ioelu

Hooker for France is number 9 Benjamin Garcia
Prop for Samoa is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for France is number 10 Lambert Belmas
2nd Row for Samoa is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu

2nd Row for France is number 11 Arthur Romano
2nd Row for Samoa is number 12 Jermaine McEwen

2nd Row for France is number 12 Mathieu Jussaume
Lock for Samoa is number 13 Francis Manuleleua

Lock for France is number 17 Mathieu Cozza

Interchange

Interchange for Samoa is number 14 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange for France is number 14 Amir Bourouh
Interchange for Samoa is number 15 Spencer Leniu

Interchange for France is number 15 Tiaki Chan
Interchange for Samoa is number 16 Shawn Blore

Interchange for France is number 16 Jordan Dezaria
Interchange for Samoa is number 17 Sualauvi Fa'alogo

Interchange for France is number 19 Louis Grossemy
Reserve for Samoa is number 18 Ata Mariota

Reserve for France is number 18 Thomas Lacans
Reserve for Samoa is number 19 Clayton Faulalo

Reserve for France is number 20 Jowasa Drodrolagi

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Kieren Irons
Touch Judge: Daniel Luttringer
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 10/18/2026 10:18:12 PM

PNG v Lebanon

Saturday, October 17, 3.25pm AEDT at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 17 Oct

Full Time

Papua New Guinea

Lebanon

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Papua New Guinea is number 1 Morea Morea

Fullback for Lebanon is number 1 Jacob Kiraz
Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 2 Robert Derby

Winger for Lebanon is number 2 Tony Francis
Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 3 Zac Laybutt

Centre for Lebanon is number 3 Michael Gabrael
Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 4 Nene Macdonald

Centre for Lebanon is number 4 Jordan Samrani
Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 5 Dudley Dotoi

Winger for Lebanon is number 5 Jason Saab
Five-Eighth for Papua New Guinea is number 6 Gairo Voro

Five-Eighth for Lebanon is number 6 Khaled Rajab
Halfback for Papua New Guinea is number 14 Finley Glare

Halfback for Lebanon is number 7 Alex Conti

Forwards

Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 8 Valentine Richard

Prop for Lebanon is number 8 Jaxson Rahme
Hooker for Papua New Guinea is number 9 Edwin Ipape

Hooker for Lebanon is number 9 Yehya Ayache
Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 10 Luca Moretti

Prop for Lebanon is number 10 James Roumanos
2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 11 Rhyse Martin

2nd Row for Lebanon is number 11 Tony Sukkar
2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 12 Nixon Putt

2nd Row for Lebanon is number 15 Mikael Ibrahim
Lock for Papua New Guinea is number 15 Liam Horne

Lock for Lebanon is number 13 Alex Twal

Interchange

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 7 Bailey Biondi-Odo

Interchange for Lebanon is number 14 Moustafa Dirani
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange for Lebanon is number 16 Jalal Bazzaz
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 16 Epel Kapinias

Interchange for Lebanon is number 19 Abbas Miski
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 17 Sylvester Namo

Interchange for Lebanon is number 20 Tupou Francis
Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 18 Rodrick Tai

Reserve for Lebanon is number 17 Khalil Rahme
Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 19 Sanny Wabo

Reserve for Lebanon is number 18 Joseph Nohra

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Michael Wise
Touch Judge: Jarrod Cole
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 10/17/2026 10:38:01 AM

Papua New Guinea v Lebanon – Round 1, 2026

England v Tonga

Saturday, October 17, 8.05pm AEDT at HBF Park, Perth

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 17 Oct

Full Time

England

Tonga

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for England is number 1 AJ Brimson

Fullback for Tonga is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
Winger for England is number 2 Dominic Young

Winger for Tonga is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for England is number 3 Hugo Savala

Centre for Tonga is number 3 Tolutau Koula
Centre for England is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for Tonga is number 4 Robert Toia
Winger for England is number 5 Zach Eckersley

Winger for Tonga is number 5 Jojo Fifita
Five-Eighth for England is number 6 George Williams

Five-Eighth for Tonga is number 6 Latu Fainu
Halfback for England is number 7 Harry Smith

Halfback for Tonga is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

Prop for England is number 8 Max King

Prop for Tonga is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for England is number 9 Brad O'Neill

Hooker for Tonga is number 14 Salesi Foketi
Prop for England is number 15 Luke Thompson

Prop for Tonga is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for England is number 11 Junior Nsemba

2nd Row for Tonga is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for England is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul

2nd Row for Tonga is number 12 Siua Wong
Lock for England is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for Tonga is number 13 Tyson Frizell

Interchange

Interchange for England is number 14 Jez Litten

Interchange for Tonga is number 15 Stefano Utoikamanu
Interchange for England is number 16 Ethan Havard

Interchange for Tonga is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
Interchange for England is number 17 Sam Walters

Interchange for Tonga is number 17 Leka Halasima
Interchange for England is number 20 Ben Currie

Interchange for Tonga is number 18 Tuimoala Lolohea
Reserve for England is number 18 Jack Welsby

Reserve for Tonga is number 9 Soni Luke
Reserve for England is number 19 Matty Ashton

Reserve for Tonga is number 19 Paul Alamoti

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 10/18/2026 10:18:12 PM

England v Tonga – Round 1, 2026

Fiji v Cook Islands

Sunday, October 18, 4.05pm AEDT at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 18 Oct

Full Time

Fiji

Cook Islands

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Fiji is number 1 Bayleigh Bentley-Hape

Fullback for Cook Islands is number 1 Esom Ioka
Winger for Fiji is number 2 Sunia Turuva

Winger for Cook Islands is number 2 Paul Ulberg
Centre for Fiji is number 3 Waqa Blake

Centre for Cook Islands is number 3 KL Iro
Centre for Fiji is number 4 Solomone Saukuru

Centre for Cook Islands is number 4 Reubenn Rennie
Winger for Fiji is number 5 Semi Valemei

Winger for Cook Islands is number 5 Cameron Brown
Five-Eighth for Fiji is number 6 Kurt Donoghoe

Five-Eighth for Cook Islands is number 6 Maui Winitana-Patelesio
Halfback for Fiji is number 7 Brandon Wakeham

Halfback for Cook Islands is number 7 Esan Marsters

Forwards

Prop for Fiji is number 8 Jacob Saifiti

Prop for Cook Islands is number 8 Davvy Moale
Hooker for Fiji is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Cook Islands is number 9 Mason Teague
Prop for Fiji is number 10 Mitchell Prest

Prop for Cook Islands is number 10 Makahesi Makatoa
2nd Row for Fiji is number 11 Taane Milne

2nd Row for Cook Islands is number 11 Reuben Porter
2nd Row for Fiji is number 12 Kitione Kautoga

2nd Row for Cook Islands is number 12 Delahia Wigmore
Lock for Fiji is number 13 Caleb Navale

Lock for Cook Islands is number 13 Pride Petterson-Robati

Interchange

Interchange for Fiji is number 14 Josese Lanyon

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 14 Rua Ngatikaura
Interchange for Fiji is number 15 Emosi Ravosai

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 15 K-CI Newton-Whare
Interchange for Fiji is number 16 Elijah Keung

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 17 Brad Takairangi
Interchange for Fiji is number 19 Jordin Leiu

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 19 Chaev Kolone
Reserve for Fiji is number 17 Ronald Philitoga

Reserve for Cook Islands is number 16 Rhys Dakin
Reserve for Fiji is number 18 Apenisa Driti

Reserve for Cook Islands is number 18 Glassie Glassie