ComfortGlaze teamed up with This Warriors Life in 2026 to support our coverage of the club’s lower-grade teams and next-gen talent — and they’re staying on throughout the Rugby League World Cup, presenting post-match reports and rolling summaries of all our Warriors competing at the tournament.
First up, though, we run the rule over all 10 squads lining up at the RLWC with the international rugby league extravaganza just days away.
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AUSTRALIA
Schedule: New Zealand @ Sydney, October 15; Fiji @ Brisbane, October 25; Cook Islands @ Townsville, October 31
Form and history: The preeminent force in international rugby league for more than half a century, Australia has won 12 of the 16 World Cups to date — including nine of the last 10. The Kangaroos took home the trophy in 2013, 2017 and 2022 in largely convincing style and have won 29 of their last 32 Tests. Since a record-breaking loss to the Kiwis in the 2023 Pacific Championships final, the green-and-golds dominated the 2024 Pacific Championships before sweeping England 3-0 in last year’s Ashes series.
Coach: Kevin Walters won two of four Origin series in charge of Queensland before taking the Broncos to a grand final in 2023 during a four-season tenure. His first foray as Australian coach garnered an Ashes cleansweep in the Old Dart.
Key man: Part of the 2017 squad and five-eighth in the 2022 final win, Cameron Munster is one of the Kangaroos’ elder statesmen and eager to finish the year on a high after a campaign that saw him feature in an Origin series loss, battle injury, fail to play finals for the first time and now face contract uncertainty.
Who they’re missing: Nathan Cleary is a huge out, while Lindsay Collins withdrew due to a foot injury after originally being named, and Selwyn Cobbo and Dylan Edwards were also unavailable. Robert Toia opted to represent Tonga instead.
One to watch: Inventive halfback Sam Walker has ticked every box so far in 2026, starring in his debut Origin series for Queensland before making a remarkable recovery from an ankle injury to steer the Roosters to the premiership. A memorable introduction to international footy beckons.
Big selection call: Reports have emerged that Reece Walsh is set to be retained for the tournament opener ahead of Clive Churchill Medal winner James Tedesco. There’s also a huge decision to be made at halfback: Walker or veteran Mitch Moses.
Warrior factor: Mitch Barnett was one of the more surprising omissions — particularly after Collins pulled out, with Lindsay Smith called up instead — while Wayde Egan remains stuck in the dummy-half queue behind Harry Grant and Blayke Brailey. Reece Walsh makes up the former Warrior contingent in the Kangaroos squad.
COOK ISLANDS
Schedule: Fiji @ Newcastle, October 18; New Zealand @ Christchurch, October 25; Fiji @ Gold Coast, October 31
Form and history: Debuting at the World Cup under the great Kevin Iro’s leadership in 2000, Cook Islands have made subsequent appearances in 2013 and 2022 — beating Wales at both UK-hosted tournaments. The Kukis have played in the past three Pacific Bowls against PNG and Fiji, holding their own but failing to pick up a win. A strong line-up thrashed South Africa 58-6 in a World Cup qualifier last November.
Coach: Code-hopping champion Karmichael Hunt has been in charge of the Cook Islands national team and Queensland Cup outfit Souths Logan Magpies since 2023.
Key man: Co-captain KL Iro — the son of New Zealand and Cook Islands icon Kevin — embodies the modern spirit of international rugby league, forgoing a likely Kiwis call-up to represent the Pacific minnows. Making his Test debut back in 2019, five years before becoming a regular in the NRL, Iro has now scored 30 tries in 61 top-grade games for Cronulla. He’ll relish the opportunity to line-up alongside first-time Kukis selection Valentine Holmes.
Who they’re missing: Broncos back-rower Brendan Piakura played for the Cook Islands last year but sits out the RLWC after playing just 12 NRL games this season. Xavier Willison and former Kukis rep Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad are in the New Zealand squad.
One to watch: From the Riccarton Knights club in Canterbury (NZ), 20-year-old newcomer K-Ci Newton-Whare played 23 NSW Cup games in the front-row for Melbourne this season and scored five tries.
Big selection call: Another former Kiwi, Esan Marsters has been a versatile mainstay for Cook Islands, making Test appearances at second-row, centre, five-eighth and halfback. How to best utilise the Bradford star — or which gap he can most effectively plug in this line-up — is a key decision for Hunt.
Warrior factor: Newcastle-bound Warriors veteran Marata Niukore co-captains the side with former Warriors junior Iro, while young playmaker Maui Winitana-Patelesio made his NSW Cup debut for the Warriors this year. Kukis regulars Paul Ulberg and Pride Petterson-Robati both reached NSW/Queensland Cup level with the Warriors.
ENGLAND
Schedule: Tonga @ Perth, October 17; France @ Perth, October 24; Papua New Guinea @ Wollongong, October 30
Form and history: Great Britain won the inaugural 1954 World Cup and saluted again in 1960 and 1972. England was a gallant runner-up in 2017, losing an epic final to Australia 6-0, before being upset in the semis by Samoa on home soil in 2022. After solid home series wins over Tonga (2023) and Samoa (2024), England was swept 3-0 in hosting the first Ashes series in 23 years in 2025…scoring just two tries across three Tests.
Coach: A Great Britain rep during the 1990s, Brian McDermott took the England reins from Shaun Wane this year after coaching Harlequins, Leeds, Toronto and Featherstone in more than 400 games. He has also had a stint as USA’s coach.
Key man: While NRL hotshots Herbie Farnworth, Victor Radley and Dom Young unsurprisingly attract most attention in the squad, England desperately need impetus in the spine — which was severely lacking in the Ashes. Dolphins-bound five-eighth George Williams has been retained as captain and needs to lead the way, with his 23 Test appearances dwarfing the rest of the England squad.
Who they’re missing: The big talking point was Jake Connor again being overlooked — the Leeds linchpin won the 2024 Man of Steel and racked up 43 try assists this year — while wingers Joe Burgess and Tom Johnstone, centre Harry Newman, props Mike McMeeken and Matty Lees, and long-serving back-rowers Kallum Watkins and Alex Walmsley are among the Ashes servants absent.
One to watch: Versatile Roosters tyro Hugo Savala could be a breakout star for England in the centres or in the halves if he gets the opportunity, while Wigan hooker Brad O’Neill took out the Man of Steel award this season.
Big selection call: St Helens fullback Jack Welsby was axed after the first Ashes Test last year in favour of Gold Coast livewire AJ Brimson, who played in the remaining two Tests. Welsby is tipped to get the No.1 jumper for their massive opener against Tonga. O’Neill and incumbent Jez Litten are also battling it out for the starting hooker role.
Warrior factor: N/A
FIJI
Schedule: Cook Islands @ Newcastle, October 18; Australia @ Brisbane, October 25; New Zealand @ Gold Coast, October 31
Form and history: Fiji made the World Cup semis in 2008, 2013 and 2017 — the latter after an unforgettable 4-2 win over New Zealand in a Wellington quarterfinal — and almost tipped up the Kiwis in the 2022 quarters. They were pumped by Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Bowl in the past three seasons, however.
Coach: The vastly experienced Mick Potter returns after early coaching Fiji to the 2017 World Cup semis.
Key man: Elite hooker Api Koroisau returns to the Fiji side for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where he played in the quarters against the Kiwis at five-eighth. The Bati’s play will revolve around the Wests Tigers skipper.
Who they’re missing: Fiji’s chances of nabbing a semifinal spot were dealt a savage blow with the unavailability of Jahream Bula and Viliame Kikau, while Jethro Rinakama is also injured, and the Tigers’ Fainu brothers couldn’t provide enough evidence of their Fijian heritage.
One to watch: A breakout star with the Dolphins who was touted as a possible Kangaroos bolter, Kurt Donoghoe is a huge in for Fiji as a dummy-half or middle forward.
Big selection call: Where to play Koroisau. He may be the best option in the halves Fiji has available.
Warrior factor: Bati newcomer Emosi Ravosai has played 31 Jersey Flegg games for the Warriors over the past two seasons, while the 20-year-old prop also made three NSW Cup appearances this year. The enigmatic Taane Milne, a Warriors one-gamer in 2019, is back for another Fiji campaign.
FRANCE
Schedule: Samoa @ Sydney, October 16; England @ Perth, October 24; Lebanon @ Sydney, November 1
Form and history: The inaugural World Cup hosts in 1954, France was the runner-up that year and again in 1968. But France’s status has plummetted since its last notable success, a 2-0 home series win over the 1978 Kangaroos. At the 2022 World Cup they beat Greece but conceded 60-plus to both England and Samoa. France was supposed to host this tournament a year ago.
Coach: Former French international Laurent Frayssinous has been at the helm of the national side since 2021. During five seasons at Catalans (2013-17), his highwater mark was leading the club to within a win of the 2014 Super League grand final.
Key man: With Catalans for the past two seasons, half Theo Fages has played well over 250 Super League games and won grand finals with St Helens in 2019 and 2020.
Who they’re missing: Toulouse trio Anthony Marion, Maxime Stefani and Pierre-Jean Lima were among the more notable players to miss out after being named in a initial 40-man squad. A winger at NSW Cup level with the Roosters, Enzo Griffier also failed to make the cut after representing France for the past three years.
One to watch: The only current NRL player in the French squad, 25-year-old Latrell Siegwalt made eight appearances in the centres for Souths — scoring two tries and kicking 28 gaols — this season.
Big selection call: Siegwalt is also experienced at five-eighth and fullback at Queensland Cup level, so there could be a temptation to break up the halves pairing of Fages and Cesar Rouge, or bump Arthur Mourge out of the No.1 jumper.
Warrior factor: N/A
LEBANON
Schedule: Papua New Guinea @ Port Moresby, October 17; Tonga @ Sydney, October 23; France @ Sydney, November 1
Form and history: Lebanon lines up at the World Cup for the fourth time, having debuted in 2000 before returning in 2017 and coming desperately close to rolling Tonga in the quarterfinals. The Cedars made the quarters again in 2022 after a spirited loss to the Kiwis and wins over Ireland and Jamaica, eventually halted 48-4 by Australia. Their only match since was a narrow win over Italy last October with only a couple of players who will feature in this campaign.
Coach: Ex-Wallabies coach and current Roosters assistant Michael Cheika leads Lebanon into a World Cup for the second time.
Key man: Jacob Kiraz is the closest thing Lebanon has to an Origin-level player, but given their lack of NRL-experienced players in the pack Wests Tigers workhorse Alex Twal arguably has an even more important role to play. Jason Saab provides crucial scoring strike.
Who they’re missing: Mitch Moses was picked for Australia, while Adam Doueihi was unavailable — both hammer blows to the Cedars’ chances.
One to watch: Centre Jordan Samrani has developed into a cult hero with 12 tries in 28 NRL games for Parramatta and will be fizzed up to debut for Lebanon.
Big selection call: Choosing a halfback with Moses and Doueihi out of the mix is Cheika’s most crucial call, but with 10 tries and 16 try assists in his debut NSW Cup campaign for Canterbury, Alex Conti appears well-qualified to step up.
Warrior factor: N/A
NEW ZEALAND
Schedule: Australia @ Sydney, October 15; Cook Islands @ Christchurch, October 25; Fiji @ Gold Coast, October 31
Form and history: The only other nation to win the World Cup in the past 50 years besides Australia, New Zealand’s 2008 triumph feels like yesterday. After a horrific 2017 campaign that ended in the quarterfinals via losses to Tonga and Fiji, the Kiwis made hard work of another quarterfinal against the Bati in 2022 but were gallant in a tight semifinal loss to Australia. Michael Maguire guided the Kiwis to a famous Pacific Championships rout of the Kangaroos in 2023, while Stacey Jones’ tenure has included a loss to Tonga that kept them out of the final of the same tournament in 2024, and convincing wins over Tonga and Samoa to take out the 2025 title.
Coach: A contentious choice as coach in 2024 after Maguire was ruled out for taking on the NSW Origin job and with Wayne Bennett also throwing his hat in the ring, Kiwis legend and long-time assistant Stacey Jones has produced solid results in two seasons in charge — particularly in last year’s comprehensive Pacific Championships success.
Key man: It’s hard to go past megastar debutant Kalyn Ponga, who is coming off an inspirational role in Newcastle’s run to an unlikely grand final berth — he provides an array of strengths the Kiwis haven’t enjoyed at fullback for some time. Returning to the black-and-white jersey for the first time since the 2023 Pacific Championships success, halfback Jahrome Hughes isn’t far behind in the importance stakes as he looks to put an injury-interrupted season for the Storm behind him.
Who they’re missing: Potential inclusions Kaeo Weekes, Trey Mooney and Matt Timoko unavailable due to injury, while Phoenix Crossland’s highly-publicised preliminary final suspension was a blow. It’s unclear whether 2026 grand final second-row tyros Francis Manuleleua and Salesi Foketi — who were both named in a preliminary 40-man squad last month but will line up for Samoa — were left out or were wanted by the Kiwis but pledged for Samoa.
One to watch: Tanner Stowers-Smith is among a bloated contingent of props in the Kiwis’ squad, but after a wonderful season for the Warriors the international rookie could nudge his way of a couple of bigger names in the pecking order.
Big selection call: The first-choice 17 more or less picks itself, though whether to start Joe Tapine at prop or lock — with Naufahu Whyte and Erin Clark both vying for starting spots in those positions — is an intriguing decision for Jones. Te Maire Martin would seem an obvious pick for the No.14 jumper as cover for Jeremy Marshall-King, the only hooker in the squad.
Warrior factor: After some lean years for the club Kiwis selection-wise, the Warriors contribute six players to this squad with captain James Fisher-Harris, Erin Clark, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Te Maire Martin returning, while Tanner Stowers-Smith and Jacob Laban are set to become the first players to debut for New Zealand from the Warriors since 2018. Ex-Warriors Isaiah Papali’i (the last Warriors Kiwi debutant) and Kodi Nikorima are also on deck.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Schedule: Lebanon @ Port Moresby, October 17; Samoa @ Port Moresby, October 24; England @ Wollongong, October 30
Form and history: A permanent World Cup fixture since the 1980s, Papua New Guinea made the quarterfinals in 2000, 2017 and 2022 — going down to England at the latter two. The Kumuls have won the Pacific Bowl in each of the past three years, getting the better of Fiji and Cook Islands.
Coach: Jason Demetriou took over as coach in 2024, a few months after getting the sack from South Sydney.
Key man: Recent Warriors playmaker signing Bailey Biondi-Odo will make his debut for the Kumuls and shapes as the likely No.7 linchpin with Lam absent. The former Canterbury Bulldogs playmaker carved up for Queensland Cup outfit Townsville Blackhawks this season, chalking up 13 tries and 19 assists in 17 games.
Who they’re missing: Lachlan Lam, Cooper Bai and Alex Johnston were unavailable in a devastating injury triple-blow.
One to watch: After getting a taste of NRL with Wests Tigers in 2023-24, Josh Feledy took his opportunity with Manly this year — the centre made 12 appearances and scored five tries in the last three rounds.
Big selection call: Cowboys centre Zac Laybutt is perhaps the most talented player in the Kumuls’ squad and can play anywhere in the backline. He could be the best option available at five-eighth or fullback.
Warrior factor: Biondi-Odo gets an early opportunity to capture the attention of the Warriors’ coaching staff as he comes into a halves contingent that has just lost Luke Metcalf, Luke Hanson and Jett Cleary to rival NRL clubs.
SAMOA
Schedule: France @ Sydney, October 16; Papua New Guinea @ Port Moresby, October 24; Tonga @ Sydney, November 1
Form and history: A permanent World Cup fixture since 1995 (as Western Samoa under the coach of Graham Lowe), Samoa had largely underachieved at the tournament — including a disastrous, winless 2017 campaign — but that all changed in 2022. Matt Parish’s Toa Samoa side recovered from an opening 60-6 loss to England to upset Tonga in the quarterfinals and edge England 27-26 in an epic semi, before losing the final to Australia 30-10. After a disappointing 2023 Pacific Championships foray and a 2-0 series loss in England in 2024, Samoa again rolled Tonga at the 2025 Pacific Championships and led the Kiwis at halftime of the final before going down 36-14.
Coach: An assistant at Penrith during the 2023-24 premiership years — among a host of other assistant and NSW Cup roles — Gardiner took over as Samoa’s coach in 2023. The long-time Kiwis assistant and 2023 Māori All Stars coach is Mal Meninga’s right-hand man at Perth Bears.
Key man: The likely halves combination of Jarome Luai and Chanel Harris-Tavita has to stand up, but in a mouth-watering back-five — arguably the strongest of any team at the tournament — Stephen Crichton is the team’s leader who must set the tone.
Who they’re missing: The withdrawal of Payne Haas and Terrell May is an almighty blow, leaving Spencer Leniu and Junior Paulo to carry the front-row load.
One to watch: His NRL career is only 15 games old, but Knights second-rower Francis Manuleleua tore the finals series apart and shapes as a real weapon for Toa Samoa.
Big selection call: While Storm livewire Sua Faalogo seems likely to get first crack at fullback given Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s excellent Origin performances at centre, there could be a temptation to put the ‘Hammer’ in the No.1 jersey with depth in the three-quarter line certainly no issue.
Warrior factor: Chanel Harris-Tavita, a veteran of 10 Tests for Toa Samoa and hooker in the 2022 World Cup final, was the only current Warriors player originally selected in the squad, reuniting with recently minted Super League winner Jazz Tevaga (who returns to the Samoa fold for the first time since the 2017 World Cup) and Parramatta half Ronald Volkman. But Eddie Ieremia-Toeava has earned a late call-up to the squad on the back of a breakout year for the Warriors.
TONGA
Schedule: England @ Perth, October 17; Lebanon @ Sydney, October 23; Samoa @ Sydney, November 1
Form and history: Tonga made a memorable World Cup debut in 1995 — coming with an ace of beating New Zealand and drawing with PNG — and has appeared at every edition since. Mate Ma’a Tonga turned the international scene on its head in 2017, with the likes of Jason Taumalolo joining the cause and spearheading a historic win over the Kiwis on the way to the semis. The 2022 World Cup was a missed opportunity, losing to Samoa in the quarters, while they were thumped by their island rivals and New Zealand in last year’s Pacific Championships, after beating the Kiwis to reach the final of the 2024 tournament.
Coach: Three-time Super League-winning coach and current history-making Dolphins mentor Kristian Woolf has overseen Tonga’s rugby league revolution, coaching the national side since 2014.
Key man: An 18-year-old Isaiya Katoa was yet to make his NRL debut when he was blooded by Tonga at the 2022 World Cup. Four years on, he is one of the game’s dominant playmakers and the hub this team’s campaign will revolve around. The Dolphins linchpin didn’t have the happiest Pacific Championships campaign last year and was hobbled during the prelim loss to the Roosters, but he should be raring to go over the next month.
Who they’re missing: Daniel Tupou and Isaiah Iongi headline Tonga’s unavailable list, while Moe Fotuaika was the player to drop out after a 24-man squad was named instead of the allowed 23 players. The likes of Eliesa Katoa, Siliva Havili and Will Penisini featured in 2025 but won’t be there this time around.
One to watch: Snubbing Australia to don the red jersey of Tonga, Robert Toia was electrifying for Queensland and the Roosters in just his second season in the big time and is already in the ‘world’s best centre’ conversation.
Big selection call: Leka Halasima lit it up for the Warriors after switching to the centres at the start of August, but Toia and Tolu Koula would appear to have the No.3 and 4 jerseys sewn up. Will Woolf pitch game-breaking Leka into the second-row or opt for a more industrious option like Siua Wong or Kulikefu Finefeuaki to partner Haumole Olakau’atu, instead utilising Halasima as a bench weapon?
Warrior factor: Blooded during last year’s Pacific Championships, emerging Warriors superstars Leka Halasima and Demetric Vaimauga shape as trump cards for Tonga. Meanwhile, former Kiwis captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is set to make a belated debut for Tonga. Former Kiwi reps and ex-Warriors Addin Fonua-Blake is a co-captain and Tui Lolohea will look to add to his 22 appearances for the island nation.