Rugby League World Cup 2026, men's round 2, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 20 Oct 2026, 04:02 PM

Official squads, team lists and schedule for all Round 2 matches of the 2026 Men's Rugby League World Cup.

Full tournament draw HERE
Get your tickets HERE

NOTE: The World Cup will be played under NRL rules with six players on the interchange bench. Only four of those players may be used as per NRL rules.

World Cup Round 2 Team Lists

Tonga v Lebanon, Friday 8.05pm AEDT at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Round 2 - Round 2 - Friday 23 Oct

9:05 am

Tonga

Lebanon

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Tonga is number 1 Lehi Hopoate

Fullback for Lebanon is number 1 Jacob Kiraz
Winger for Tonga is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Lebanon is number 2 Tony Francis
Centre for Tonga is number 3 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Lebanon is number 3 Michael Gabrael
Centre for Tonga is number 4 Paul Alamoti

Centre for Lebanon is number 4 Jordan Samrani
Winger for Tonga is number 5 Jojo Fifita

Winger for Lebanon is number 5 Jason Saab
Five-Eighth for Tonga is number 6 Tuimoala Lolohea

Five-Eighth for Lebanon is number 6 Khaled Rajab
Halfback for Tonga is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Halfback for Lebanon is number 7 Alex Conti

Forwards

Prop for Tonga is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Lebanon is number 8 Jaxson Rahme
Hooker for Tonga is number 9 Salesi Foketi

Hooker for Lebanon is number 9 Moustafa Dirani
Prop for Tonga is number 10 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Lebanon is number 10 James Roumanos
2nd Row for Tonga is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Lebanon is number 11 Tony Sukkar
2nd Row for Tonga is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

2nd Row for Lebanon is number 12 Mikael Ibrahim
Lock for Tonga is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Lock for Lebanon is number 13 Alex Twal

Interchange

Interchange for Tonga is number 14 Soni Luke

Interchange for Lebanon is number 14 Yehya Ayache
Interchange for Tonga is number 15 Taniela Paseka

Interchange for Lebanon is number 15 Tupou Francis
Interchange for Tonga is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga

Interchange for Lebanon is number 16 Jalal Bazzaz
Interchange for Tonga is number 17 Leka Halasima

Interchange for Lebanon is number 17 Khalil Rahme
Interchange for Tonga is number 18 Latu Fainu

Interchange for Lebanon is number 18 Joseph Nohra
Interchange for Tonga is number 19 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Interchange for Lebanon is number 19 Abbas Miski

Reserves

Reserve for Tonga is number 20 Talatau Amone

Reserve for Lebanon is number 20 Ibrahim El Labban
Reserve for Tonga is number 21 Robert Toia

Reserve for Lebanon is number 21 Mohamed Alameddine
Reserve for Tonga is number 22 Siua Wong

Reserve for Lebanon is number 22 Cameron Kanaan

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Sione Katoa
Talatau Amone
Taniela Paseka

Cameron Kanaan
Ibrahim El Labban
Mohamed Alameddine

Tyson Frizell

Last updated: 10/20/2026 5:36:12 AM

Tonga: Tui Lolohea has been named to start at five-eighth with Latu Fainu listed on the interchange despite suffering a pec injury last week. Sione Katoa and Paul Alamoti join the backline in place of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (interchange) and Rob Toia (reserves). Storm star Stefano Utoikamanu starts at prop with Jason Taumalolo shifting to lock and Tyson Frizell being rested. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki starts in the back row with Siua Wong moving to the reserves. Taniela Paseka joins the bench for his first action of the tournament and his fourth Test match for Tonga.

Lebanon: Moustafa Dirani has been promoted to start at hooker with Yehya Ayache reverting to the bench in the only change for the Cedars.

PNG v Samoa, Saturday 3.25pm AEDT at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Round 2 - Round 2 - Saturday 24 Oct

4:25 am

Papua New Guinea

Samoa

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Papua New Guinea is number 1 Morea Morea

Fullback for Samoa is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 2 Robert Derby

Winger for Samoa is number 2 Brian To'o
Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 3 Zac Laybutt

Centre for Samoa is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 4 Nene Macdonald

Centre for Samoa is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 5 Dudley Dotoi

Winger for Samoa is number 5 Sualauvi Fa'alogo
Five-Eighth for Papua New Guinea is number 6 Gairo Voro

Five-Eighth for Samoa is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Halfback for Papua New Guinea is number 7 Bailey Biondi-Odo

Halfback for Samoa is number 7 Jarome Luai

Forwards

Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 8 Epel Kapinias

Prop for Samoa is number 8 Francis Molo
Hooker for Papua New Guinea is number 9 Edwin Ipape

Hooker for Samoa is number 9 Benaiah Ioelu
Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 10 Luca Moretti

Prop for Samoa is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 11 Rhyse Martin

2nd Row for Samoa is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 12 Nixon Putt

2nd Row for Samoa is number 12 Jermaine McEwen
Lock for Papua New Guinea is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Samoa is number 13 Francis Manuleleua

Interchange

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 14 Finley Glare

Interchange for Samoa is number 14 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 15 Liam Horne

Interchange for Samoa is number 15 Spencer Leniu
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 16 Valentine Richard

Interchange for Samoa is number 16 Shawn Blore
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 17 Khaiya Waiembi

Interchange for Samoa is number 17 Ata Mariota
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 18 Rodrick Tai

Interchange for Samoa is number 18 Clayton Faulalo
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 19 Josh Feledy

Interchange for Samoa is number 19 Ronald Volkman

Reserves

Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 20 Sylvester Namo

Reserve for Samoa is number 20 Pasami Saulo
Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 21 Sanny Wabo

Reserve for Samoa is number 21 Enari Tuala
Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 22 Zev John

Reserve for Samoa is number 22 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Josh Feledy
Khaiya Waiembi
Zev John

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Enari Tuala
Pasami Saulo
Ronald Volkman

Deine Mariner

Last updated: 10/20/2026 5:36:11 AM

PNG: Halfback Bailey Biondi-Odo, prop Epel Kapinias and lock Jack de Belin have all been named to start after coming off the bench against Lebanon. The new faces on the interchange bench are Manly outside back Josh Feledy and Central Qld Capras duo Rodrick Tai and Khaiya Waiembi. Moving down to the reserves list are Sylvester Namo and Sanny Wabo.

Samoa: One forced change for coach Ben Gardiner with injured winger Deine Mariner (hamstring) replaced by Sua Fa'alogo, who bagged four tries after coming on early to replace Mariner against France. The new man on the bench is Eels playmaker Ronald Volkman, who will play his second Test match for Samoa after debuting in 2023 against New Zealand. Pasami Saulo, Enari Tuala and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava are the reserves.

England v France, Saturday 5.35pm AEDT at HBF Park, Perth

Round 2 - Round 2 - Saturday 24 Oct

6:35 am

England

France

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for England is number 1 AJ Brimson

Fullback for France is number 1 Arthur Mourgue
Winger for England is number 2 Dominic Young

Winger for France is number 2 Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet
Centre for England is number 3 Hugo Savala

Centre for France is number 3 Latrell Siegwalt
Centre for England is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for France is number 4 Romeo Tropis
Winger for England is number 5 Zach Eckersley

Winger for France is number 5 Benjamin Laguerre
Five-Eighth for England is number 6 George Williams

Five-Eighth for France is number 6 Thomas Lacans
Halfback for England is number 7 Harry Smith

Halfback for France is number 7 Theo Fages

Forwards

Prop for England is number 8 Max King

Prop for France is number 8 Romain Navarrete
Hooker for England is number 9 Brad O'Neill

Hooker for France is number 9 Amir Bourouh
Prop for England is number 10 Luke Thompson

Prop for France is number 10 Julian Bousquet
2nd Row for England is number 11 Junior Nsemba

2nd Row for France is number 11 Arthur Romano
2nd Row for England is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul

2nd Row for France is number 12 Mathieu Jussaume
Lock for England is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for France is number 13 Benjamin Garcia

Interchange

Interchange for England is number 14 Jez Litten

Interchange for France is number 14 Cesar Rouge
Interchange for England is number 15 Ben Currie

Interchange for France is number 15 Lambert Belmas
Interchange for England is number 16 Ethan Havard

Interchange for France is number 16 Mathieu Cozza
Interchange for England is number 17 Sam Walters

Interchange for France is number 17 Louis Grossemy
Interchange for England is number 18 Jack Welsby

Interchange for France is number 18 Jordan Dezaria
Interchange for England is number 19 Matty Ashton

Interchange for France is number 19 Fouad Yaha

Reserves

Reserve for England is number 20 Kallum Watkins

Reserve for France is number 20 Jowasa Drodrolagi
Reserve for England is number 21 Mikey Lewis

Reserve for France is number 21 Tiaki Chan
Reserve for England is number 22 Ben Talty

Reserve for France is number 22 Alrix Da Costa

Ben Talty
Kallum Watkins
Mikey Lewis

Alrix Da Costa
Fouad Yaha
Julian Bousquet
Romeo Tropis

Leo Darrelatour

Last updated: 10/20/2026 5:36:11 AM

England: Coach Brian McDermott sticks with the same 19-man squad that performed admirably against Tonga in the tournament opener. AJ Brimson retains the job at fullback with Jack Welsby on the interchange. Luke Thompson will start at prop in the absence of Morgan Knowles, who suffered an injury in the lead-up to the opening game against Tonga. Veteran centre Kallum Watkins is listed among the reserves as he chases a cap at his fourth World Cup.

France: Toulouse playmaker Thomas Lacans has been promoted to start at five-eighth with Cesar Rouge moving to the bench. Romeo Tropis comes in at centre so Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet pushes out to the wing and Leo Darrelatour makes way. Skipper Ben Garcia moves from hooker to lock and Amir Bourouh joins the starting side in No.9. A change in the front row with Julian Bousquet coming in at prop for Lambert Belmas who goes to the bench.

New Zealand v Cook Islands, Sunday 4.05pm AEDT at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 25 Oct

5:05 am

New Zealand

Cook Islands

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for New Zealand is number 1 Keano Kini

Fullback for Cook Islands is number 1 Valentine Holmes
Winger for New Zealand is number 2 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Cook Islands is number 2 Paul Ulberg
Centre for New Zealand is number 3 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Centre for Cook Islands is number 3 KL Iro
Centre for New Zealand is number 4 Casey McLean

Centre for Cook Islands is number 4 Reubenn Rennie
Winger for New Zealand is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Cook Islands is number 5 Cameron Brown
Five-Eighth for New Zealand is number 6 Kodi Nikorima

Five-Eighth for Cook Islands is number 6 Maui Winitana-Patelesio
Halfback for New Zealand is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Cook Islands is number 17 Brad Takairangi

Forwards

Prop for New Zealand is number 8 James Fisher-Harris

Prop for Cook Islands is number 8 Davvy Moale
Hooker for New Zealand is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King

Hooker for Cook Islands is number 9 Rua Ngatikaura
Prop for New Zealand is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Cook Islands is number 10 Rhys Dakin
2nd Row for New Zealand is number 11 Xavier Willison

2nd Row for Cook Islands is number 11 Amare Milford
2nd Row for New Zealand is number 12 Scott Sorensen

2nd Row for Cook Islands is number 12 Delahia Wigmore
Lock for New Zealand is number 13 Erin Clark

Lock for Cook Islands is number 13 Mason Teague

Interchange

Interchange for New Zealand is number 14 Te Maire Martin

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 7 Esan Marsters
Interchange for New Zealand is number 15 Leo Thompson

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 14 K-CI Newton-Whare
Interchange for New Zealand is number 16 Tanner Stowers-Smith

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 15 David Tuariki
Interchange for New Zealand is number 17 Jacob Laban

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 16 Makahesi Makatoa
Interchange for New Zealand is number 18 Isaiah Papali'i

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 18 Chaev Kolone
Interchange for New Zealand is number 19 Briton Nikora

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 19 Glassie Glassie

Reserves

Reserve for New Zealand is number 20 Dane Gagai

Reserve for Cook Islands is number 20 Brody Tamarua
Reserve for New Zealand is number 21 Naufahu Whyte

Reserve for Cook Islands is number 21 Esom Ioka
Reserve for New Zealand is number 22 Moses Leota

Reserve for Cook Islands is number 22 Pride Petterson-Robati
Reserve for Cook Islands is number 23 Reuben Porter

Jacob Laban
Leo Thompson
Scott Sorensen
Tanner Stowers-Smith

Amare Milford
Brody Tamarua
David Tuariki
Valentine Holmes

Kalyn Ponga

Last updated: 10/20/2026 5:56:00 AM

New Zealand: The loss of gun fullback Kalyn Ponga to a broken arm brings livewire Keano Kini onto the side while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will start in the centres with Dane Gagai rested. With Moses Leota also listed among the reserves, Joseph Tapine moves from lock to prop and Erin Clark wears the No.13 jersey. Xavier Willison and Scott Sorensen are the new back-rowers with Briton Nikora and Isaiah Papali'i moving to the bench. Tanner Stowers-Smith and Jacob Laban make their Test debut off the bench. Premiership winning prop Naufahu Whyte also gets a break after a massive schedule.

Cook Islands: Dragons star Valentine Holmes will start at fullback in his Cook Islands debut after overcoming an ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s loss to Fiji. Veteran Brad Takairangi also comes into the starting side at halfback, with Esan Marsters shifting to the interchange, while Rua Ngatikaura moves from the bench to the starting hooker role and Mason Teague shifts to lock. Prop Rhys Dakin and backrower Amare Milford are the two other new faces in the starting pack. Makahesi Makatoa shifts to the interchange while Reuben Porter drops back to the reserves.

Australia v Fiji, Sunday, 8.05pm AEDT at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 25 Oct

9:05 am

Australia

Fiji

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Australia is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Fiji is number 1 Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Winger for Australia is number 2 Jack Bostock

Winger for Fiji is number 2 Sunia Turuva
Centre for Australia is number 3 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for Fiji is number 3 Waqa Blake
Centre for Australia is number 4 Bradman Best

Centre for Fiji is number 4 Solomone Saukuru
Winger for Australia is number 5 Tom Trbojevic

Winger for Fiji is number 5 Semi Valemei
Five-Eighth for Australia is number 6 Tom Dearden

Five-Eighth for Fiji is number 6 Kurt Donoghoe
Halfback for Australia is number 7 Sam Walker

Halfback for Fiji is number 7 Brandon Wakeham

Forwards

Prop for Australia is number 8 Keaon Koloamatangi

Prop for Fiji is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Australia is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Fiji is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Australia is number 10 Lindsay Smith

Prop for Fiji is number 10 Mitchell Prest
2nd Row for Australia is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Fiji is number 11 Taane Milne
2nd Row for Australia is number 12 Reuben Cotter

2nd Row for Fiji is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
Lock for Australia is number 13 Cameron Murray

Lock for Fiji is number 13 Caleb Navale

Interchange

Interchange for Australia is number 14 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Interchange for Fiji is number 14 Josese Lanyon
Interchange for Australia is number 15 Jacob Preston

Interchange for Fiji is number 15 Emosi Ravosai
Interchange for Australia is number 16 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange for Fiji is number 16 Elijah Keung
Interchange for Australia is number 17 Cameron Munster

Interchange for Fiji is number 17 Ronald Philitoga
Interchange for Australia is number 18 Reece Walsh

Interchange for Fiji is number 18 Jordin Leiu
Interchange for Australia is number 19 Latrell Mitchell

Interchange for Fiji is number 19 Apenisa Driti

Reserves

Reserve for Australia is number 20 Liam Martin

Reserve for Fiji is number 20 Joseph Litidamu
Reserve for Australia is number 21 Harry Grant

Reserve for Fiji is number 21 Zion Johnson
Reserve for Australia is number 22 Isaah Yeo

Reserve for Fiji is number 22 Kylan Mafoa

Blayke Brailey
James Tedesco
Lindsay Smith
Sam Walker

Joseph Litidamu
Kylan Mafoa
Zion Johnson

Mitchell Moses

Last updated: 10/20/2026 5:36:11 AM

Australia: James Tedesco, Bradman Best, Sam Walker, Blayke Brailey and Lindsay Smith come into the Kangaroos side for their first appearance of the World Cup, with Best, Walker and Brailey on Test debut. Wingers Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic and centre Kotoni Staggs retain their spots in the backline while Tom Dearden starts the game at No.6 after coming on against New Zealand when Mitch Moses left the field injured. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Patrick Carrigan, Cameron Munster, Reece Walsh and Latrell Mitchell have all moved to the interchange after starting last week while Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Harry Grant are set to be rested. David Fifita makes his Kangaroos debut after playing four Tests for Tonga at the 2022 World Cup.

Fiji: The Bati go with the same squad that ran up 40 points in an impressive first-up win over Cook Islands. Api Koroisau captains an experienced side that includes Wests Tigers flyer Sunia Turuva and veteran prop Jacob Saifiti, who returned from suspension in fine stye against the Aitu. Last week's man of the match Brandon Wakeham will again steer the ship from halfback.