RLWC 2026: Pride on the line as Pacific teams battle for semifinal spots

The Pacific dream at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) comes down to this weekend's final round of group games.

Only the Australians have secured their semifinal spots in both the men's and women's categories of the competition.

Everything is on the line for the Pacific Island teams that have set themselves in the running for top two finish.

In the men's Group A, New Zealand and Fiji will play off for a spot in the semifinals on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Both sides won a game each, and lag behind the defending champions Australia, which is two out of two, but have Cook Islands in their last game this weekend.

The combine Groub B and C is more complicated, with four teams fighting for a top-two finish on the combined table.

Currently, Samoa and Tonga have two wins each, while Papua New Guinea and England have one each to their names.

It is win or go home on Friday night at WIN Stadium when England face the PNG Kumuls.

Whoever wins that clash stands a chance of getting into the top two, but will then have to wait for the result of the Samoa v Tonga clash.

Sunday night's showdown between fierce Pacific rivals Tonga and Samoa at a sold-out CommBank Stadium will decide who tops the combine Pool B and C.

In the women's competition, New Zealand and Fiji are chasing wins to secure a top-two finish in Pool B.

Fiji has won one out of two and face France in their last match.

New Zealand takes on the Papua New Guinea Orchids.

In Pool B, England and Samoa will play-off for a semifinal berth at WIN Stadium on Friday night.

A win for Samoa will see them join Australia in the final four.

Men's competition

England v Papua New Guinea

Kick off: Friday, 30 October, 10:05pm

WIN Stadium, Wollongong

PNG Kumuls head coach Jason Demetriou has made several changes to his line-up ahead clash against England.

Some of the changes made are positional, while others reflect the recovery of previously injured players.

The match could also be the last for captain Rhyse Martin, who is retiring after the world cup.

The equation for the Kumuls to progress further is simple, beat England and hope Samoa defeats Tonga by a big margin to keep their semi-finals hopes alive.

The Kumuls are currently 88 points behind Tonga on for and against and a Tonga victory will end PNG's dreams.

Papua New Guinea: 1. Zac Laybutt 2. Robert Derby 3. Josh Feledy 4. Nene Macdonald 5. Dudley Dotoi 6. Gairo Voro 7. Bailey Biondi-Odo 8. Epel Kapinias 9. Edwin Ipape 10. Luca Moretti 11. Rhyse Martin (c) 12. Nixon Putt 13. Liam Horne; Interchange: 14. Finley Glare 15. Jacob Taulani 16. Robert Mathias 17. Sanny Wabo 18. Valentine Richard 19. Zev John; Reserves: 20. Morea Morea 21. Rodrick Tai 22. Alex Max.

England: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Dominic Young 3. Hugo Savala 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Matty Ashton 6. George Williams (c) 7. Harry Smith 8. Max King 9. Jez Litten 10. Luke Thompson 11. Junior Nsemba 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Morgan Knowles; Interchange: 14. Mikey Lewis 15. Sam Walters 16. Ethan Havard 17. Victor Radley 18. Ben Currie 19. Jack Welsby; Reserves: 20. Brad O'Neill 21. Zach Eckersley 22. Kallum Watkins.

New Zealand v Fiji

Kick off: Saturday, 31 October, 5:30pm

Cbus Super Stadium, 5:30pm

Bati captain Api Koroisau is adamant his young squad can repeat the 2017 beating of New Zealand, when the two teams meet on Saturday.

Back then Fiji won 4-2 in the quarterfinals.

Koroisau told RLWC2026 last weekend's morale-boosting 36-22 loss to the Kangaroos in Brisbane, has given the players confidence.

"I thought we were actually on top of that first half and had some really good field position and the confidence is really high," Koroisau said.

"I think it's just really driven that belief into the boys knowing that they can do it, and we have so many young guys who really stood up."

Koroisau was part of that victory.

But the Kiwis will not be easy beat, with a star-studded lineup named to face the Fijians.

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; Interchange: 14. Josese Lanyon 15. Elijah Keung 16. Jordan Miller 17. Joseph Litidamu 18. Jordin Leiu 19. Apenisa Driti; Reserves: 20. Zion Johnson 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Kylan Mafoa.

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; Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Erin Clark 17. Xavier Willison 18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 19. Scott Sorensen; Reserves: 20. Leo Thompson 21. Jacob Laban 22. Tanner Stowers-Smith.

Australia v Cook Islands

Kick off: Saturday, 31 October, 10:05pm

Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cook Islands Aitu captain KL Iro believes his team will be better off with the experience of playing against Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.

Grouped in the 'pool of death' the side have had their share of challenges but Iro believes the team is learning along the way.

They are out of the running for the semifinals.

Australia, meanwhile, have rotated their team again, resting a number of players who played against Fiji last weekend.

Cook Islands: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Paul Ulberg 3. KL Iro (c) 4. Reubenn Rennie 5. Cameron Brown 6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio 17. Brad Takairangi 8. Davvy Moale 9. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 10. Rhys Dakin 11. Amare Milford 12. Delahia Wigmore 13. Mason Teague Internchange: 7. Esan Marsters 14. K-Ci Newton-Whare 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. David Tuariki 18. Chaev Kolone 19. Glassie Glassie; Reserves: 20. Brody Tamarua 21. Pride Petterson-Robati 22. Esom Ioka 23. Reuben Porter.

Australia: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c) Internchange: 14. Ethan Strange 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 16. Cameron Murray 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Lindsay Smith 19. James Tedesco; Reserves: 20. Sam Walker 21. Latrell Mitchell 22. David Fifita.

Tonga v Samoa

Kick off: Sunday, 1 November, 10:05pm

CommBank Stadium, 10:05pm

Tonga XIII co-captain Jason Taumalolo knows Sunday night's showdown against Samoa in Sydney is going to be a thriller.

He believes while some of his players will be playing against Toa Samoa for the first time, he is confident the team will be at their best against their Polynesian rival.

Taumalolo, who switched from New Zealand to Tonga in 2017, setting the trend for others from the Pacific to join their heritage teams, said Samoa will not be easy.

Toa Samoa co-captain Junior Paulo said the past results will not count and his team will have to focus on the game.

The winner gets a semifinal spot while the loser will know their fate with the count back on points for and against, with PNG and England also in the running for semifinal spots.

Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Robert Toia 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Salesi Foketi 10. Jason Taumalolo (c) 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Siua Wong 13. Tyson Frizell; Interchange: 14. Soni Luke 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Leka Halasima 19. Latu Fainu Reserves: 20. Paul Alamoti 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 22. Sione Katoa.

Samoa: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Brian To'o 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Jarome Luai (c) 8. Francis Molo 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Junior Paulo (c) 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Francis Manuleleua; Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Shawn Blore 17. Ata Mariota 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Ronald Volkman Reserves: 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Enari Tuala 22. Deine Mariner.

Women's competition

Samoa v England

Kick off: Friday, 30 October, 7:45pm

WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Fetu Samoa coach Frank Pritchard knows England will not be easy but he has confidence in his squad.

The performance of debutants in the past two matches has given the side a lot more depth and selection headaches for the coach.

Whoever wins gets into the top two.

Samoa: 1. Destiny Mino-Sinapati, 2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, 3. Monica Tagoai, 4. Tyra Ekepati, 5. Freedom Crichton Ropati, 6. Evania Isa'ako, 7. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, 8. Annetta Nuuausala, 9. Mary-Jane Taito , 10. Laikha Clarke, 11. Leilani Wilson, 12. Ivana Lolesio, 13. Tavana Papalii; Interchange: 14. Jetaia Faifuya ,15. Fanua Rimoni, 16. Jaydika Faifua, 17. Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, 19. Christian Pio, 20. Evelyn Roberts, 21. Anastasia Leatupue, 22. Amani Misa.

Fiji Bulikula v France

Kick off: Saturday, 31 October, 3:20pm

Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Jone Wesele's message to the Bulikula has been simple: "Go out there and show them that you are a warrior too."

It had inspired the side to almost upsetting New Zealand in their first round game and took them to the top against the PNG Orchids.

A win over France will send them into the final four.

Fiji: 1. Cassie Staples, 2. Maria Paseka, 3. Isabella Waterman, 4. Taina Naividi, 5. Sienna Laing, 6. Luisa Yaranamua, 7. Losana Lutu, 8. Latisha Smythe, 9. Sereana Naitokatoka, 10. Leilani Ahsam, 11. Elizabeth Naleba, 12 (17). Nanise Vakacavu, 13. Talei Holmes; Interchange: 14. Tahlia Marshall, 15. Teaghan Hartigan, 16. Lorren Ieli, 17 (18). Naomi Tegu; Reserves: 18 (12) Ema Masi, 19. Aliti Namoce, 20. Rory Muller, 21. Ebony Laing, 22. Abigayle Sekitoga.

PNG Orchids v Kiwi Ferns

Kick off: Saturday, 31 October, 7:45pm

Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

A tougher battle than the past two matches is in store for the Orchids.

The Kiwi Ferns have been on fire and that makes the Orchids' challenge tough this weekend.

They still have a chance to qualify for the semifinals but will have to be consistent from the word go.

PNG Orchids: 1. Anika Butler, 2. Ivania Wong, 3. Relna Wuruki-Hosea, 4. Tia Molo, 5. Naomi Kelly, 6. Fleur Ginn, 7. Cynthiah Peters, 8. Elsie Albert (c), 9. Ua Ravu, 10. Jafinda Sap, 11. Vanesa Nakas, 12. Shellie Long, 13. Emily Veivers; Interchange: 14. Therese Aiton, 15. Essay Banu, 16. Jenny David, 17. India Seeto, 18. Gemma Walker, 19. Myra Muller; 20. Jasmine Joe, 21. Mala Mark, 22. Belinda Gwasamum.