Australian Kangaroos Coach Kevin Walters has named his team to play Fiji in the Rugby League World Cup 2026 Pool A clash at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday (7:05pm AEST).
Sydney Roosters Premiership-winning skipper and Clive Churchill Medallist James Tedesco has continued his remarkable 2026 season by being named to captain Australia for the first time since 2023 in a new-look Kangaroos team.
The Kangaroos’ second fixture at the World Cup will see a number of players earn their first opportunity for the tournament, with Walters keen to assess his squad following a dramatic first-up 24-22 victory over New Zealand in Sydney.
Four new Kangaroos debutants have been named for the clash with Newcastle Knights centre Bradman Best, Sydney Roosters half Sam Walker, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey and South Sydney Rabbitohs second rower David Fifita all listed in the starting lineup.
Best and Brailey both toured with the Kangaroos to England last year, but this Sunday night brings about their first opportunity to represent their nation on the international stage. Fifita didn’t take the field in Sydney last week after being named on the six-man bench for the clash with the Kiwis but is now set to make his Test debut wearing the No.11 jersey.
North Queensland Cowboys co-captain Reuben Cotter will also make his first start of the tournament in the second row, while Cameron Murray takes over at lock with regular skipper Isaah Yeo being rested. Yeo’s Penrith Panthers teammate Lindsay Smith has been named in the front row alongside St George Illawarra Dragons-bound Keaon Koloamatangi.
“Fiji have shown what they are capable of with a good performance in their opening game and we know they’ll come out hard and fast on Sunday. We’re expecting another physical contest, and we’ll be prepared to meet that challenge,” said Walters.
“We’re very keen to see what some of the new faces in the team can bring. Each of them has earned the opportunity to pull on the Kangaroos jersey and they have a chance to put their best foot forward for the remainder of the tournament with a strong performance on Sunday.”
Tickets for all RLWC 2026 matches are available at rlwc2026.com.
All matches are being broadcast live and exclusive in Australia on Seven and 7plus, on Sky Sport in New Zealand and Digicel in Papua New Guinea.
Kangaroos team to play Fiji Bati
Rugby League World Cup 2026 – Pool A
25 October 2026, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- James Tedesco ©
- Jack Bostock
- Kotoni Staggs
- Bradman Best
- Tom Trbojevic
- Tom Dearden
- Sam Walker
- Keaon Koloamatangi
- Blayke Brailey
- Lindsay Smith
- David Fifita
- Reuben Cotter
- Cameron Murray
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- Jacob Preston
- Patrick Carrigan
- Cameron Munster
- Reece Walsh
- Latrell Mitchell
- Liam Martin
- Harry Grant
- Isaah Yeo
- Ethan Strange
Kangaroos debut numbers: Bradman Best #865, Blayke Brailey #866, David Fifita #867, Sam Walker #868
