This Warriors Life recaps the third and final round of 2026 Rugby League World Cup pool matches, including the performances of our Warriors reps, with the support of ComfortGlaze.
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England blow semi chances after hot start
England needed a landslide victory over Papua New Guinea in Wollongong to keep the heat on Samoa in the semifinal race — and they were on track to do so after running in four tries in the first 20 minutes. Inexplicably, the heavyweights were unable to add to their tally until the last 12 minutes and conceded the first two tries of the second half in an eventual 34-12 win. Needing Tonga to beat Samoa by 47 points to progress, England inevitably missed the World Cup semis for the first time.
Warrior watch: Kumuls halfback Bailey Biondi-Odo put in a massive shift, making 19 runs for 94 metres, reeling off 21 tackles and producing a try assist.
Kiwis bulldoze way into semis as Fiji fail to turn up
Fiji’s impressive World Cup history against New Zealand and a gallant performance against Australia counted for nought in a horrific 76-0 loss to a rampant Kiwis outfit on the Gold Coast. In a straight duel for a spot in the semis, Stacey Jones’ side piled on four tries in the opening 11 minutes and doubled their lead to 48-0 well before halftime. Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo was sent off for a high tackle and Fiji halfback Brandon Wakeham was also marched for a retaliatory punch in the 51st minute, after which New Zealand added five more tries. Centre Casey McLean crossed four times, while Jamayne Isaako kicked 13 conversions from as many attempts.
Warrior watch: James Fisher-Harris played only the first 21 minutes but made seven runs for 56 metres and scored a try. Te Maire Martin starred in the halves for the last half-hour, delivering two superb try assists. Erin Clark finished with 97 metres and 22 tackles, splitting his time between lock and hooker and powering over for a dummy-half try. Young prop Emosi Ravosai was promoted to Fiji’s starting line-up but only managed six runs for 25 metres in 58 minutes, while he made 23 tackles.
Clunky Kangaroos coast against Kukis
Still yet to fully hit their straps at this World Cup, the Kangaroos nevertheless had little trouble accounting for Pool A minnows Cook Islands 66-6 in Townsville. The teams traded tries in the opening 10 minutes before Australia took control, leading 28-6 at halftime and running in seven tries after the break. Wingers Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic bagged hat-tricks, while Reece Walsh staked his claim for the contentious fullback spot with two line-breaks and five try assists.
Warrior watch: Cook Islands five-eighth capped a fine tournament with 13 runs for 121 metres and 20 tackles. One to watch in the Warriors’ NSW Cup line-up next year.
Lebanon claim golden point glory in manic finish
In the only inconsequential match of the weekend, Lebanon and France delivered a dramatic spectacle at CommBank Stadium that concluded with some of most extraordinary moments in World Cup history. The rivals traded tries throughout the match with Lebanon clinging to a 20-18 lead in the dying stages. France’s claims to a last-gasp try were denied, but halfback Arthur Morgue nailed an astonishing two-point field goal from the resultant dropout to send the match into golden point. Morgue slotted a one-pointer to seemingly hand France a euphoric win, but it was pulled back for an obstruction. Lebanon counterpart Alex Conti subsequently missed with a long-range penalty goal attempt with time up in the first half of golden point. But the hapless Morgue opted to kick rather than run out the clock and it was intercepted by Cedars winger Abbas Miski, who dived in for the match-winner.
Warrior watch: N/A
Tonga edges Samoa in instant classic
Any notions of a dead-rubber — with both teams essentially guaranteed a place in the semis — were dispelled as Tonga and Samoa put together a rugby league masterpiece at CommBank Stadium. Tonga prevailed 20-18, but only after Samoa had fought back from a 10-point deficit to lead 18-14 with three straight tries. Tonga centre Robert Toia scored the only try of the first half, a blistering solo effort, while Brian To’o scored two tries for Samoa from kicks either side of opposite Jojo Fifita crossing for Tonga. Ronald Volkman’s injection for the injured Chanel Harris-Tavita after To’o’s second try sparked Samoa, with the ex-Warrior’s determined try putting them in front for the first time. But Addin Fonua-Blake brushed off Spencer Leniu for what proved to be the match-winner in the 72nd minute. The physicality, skill and desperation on display from both teams from start to finish has set the stage for a colossal semifinal weekend — with Tonga taking on New Zealand in Newcastle and Samoa facing Australia in Sydney — and the very strong possibility of a dream final rematch.
Warrior watch: Veteran Tongan winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak made a team-high 153 metres and two line-breaks, as well as coming up with some big bomb defusals early on — though he did miss a trademark tryscoring chance by putting his foot into touch. Demitric Vaimauga was in the thick of it in 37 minutes off the bench, chalking up eight runs for 56 metres and 20 tackles, as well as getting in Spencer Leniu’s face. Leka Halasima was injected late, making two runs and four tackles in 11 minutes. Chanel Harris-Tavita was prominent for Samoa, producing a try assist, seven runs for 74 metres and 17 tackles in just 53 minutes. But a hamstring injury while taking a conversion — a la Luke Metcalf — forced CHT from the field and may rule him out of the semi.
Women’s RLWC: Kiwi Ferns bumble way to semis, Jillaroos rewrite record books
New Zealand’s semifinal prospects were on tenterhooks in their final pool game, trailing Papua New Guinea 12-8 after half an hour before clicking into gear and running out 40-12 winners to top Pool A. Wingers MacKenzie Wiki and Abigail Roache both finished with doubles. The Kiwi Ferns will take on Fetu Samoa, who won their semifinal shootout with England 24-6 as winger Freedom Chrichton-Ropati grabbed a hat-trick.
Meanwhile, World Cup debutants Fiji earned a semifinal showdown with Australia thanks to a 54-6 demolition of France. The Jillaroos vaporised Wales 124-6 — the highest-ever score recorded in an international rugby league match. Winger Jamie Chapman scored six tries, while halfback Jesse Southwell racked up 44 points from a try and 20 conversions.
Warrior watch: New Zealand centre Stacey Waaka’s stellar tournament continued with the opening try, an assist and 18 runs for 183 metres. Fullback Apii Nicholls made a game-high 249 metres, a line-break and had a try assist. Burgeoning second-rower scored a try for the second straight game, chalked up two line-breaks and made six runs for 63 metres and 15 tackles. In just 27 metres off the bench, prop Ivana Lauitiiti racked up eight runs for 89 metres and 14 tackles. Samoa prop Annetta Nuuausala was a powerhouse against England, churning through 114 metres on 11 carries. Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa was ultra-busy off the bench, making eight runs for 62 metres in just 16 minutes.