Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have named their men’s squads for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
While the three teams look strong on paper, with star players included, the omission of some key players stood out when all three teams were announced.
The Fiji Bati squad announced on Tuesday does not include star forwards Tui Kamikamica, who has since retired after suffering a stroke four months ago, and Viliame Kikau, who is out because of an ankle injury.
Fullback Jahream Bula is out also due to post-season shoulder surgery.
Samoa will miss tough forward Payne Haas because of injury, along with Simi Sasagi, who is also out awaiting surgery.
Also missing are Queensland stars Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi, who have both missed the cut.
Tonga have opted to leave out veteran Roosters winger Daniel Tupou, who claimed his fourth National Rugby League grand final title on Sunday night, while one of the 24 named on Tuesday morning will still have to be omitted from the final 23.
New Bati leader
The absence of Kamikamica and Kikau means the Fiji Bati will have a new captain at the world meet.
Head coach Mick Potter, who took Fiji Bati to the semi-finals at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, told the Fiji Sun a new captain will be named, as the squad started their preparation at the Uprising Resort in Deuba, which is about 45 minutes drive outside Suva.
With Kamikamica, who was Bati captain, and Kikau, who deputised at times, both unavailable, the likely choice would be veteran West Tigers captain and three-time premiership winner Apisai Koroisau.
Potter is likely to select a leadership team, with the focus on the team combining together to produce the results.
“The expectation is that they individually do their best and col-lectively they do their best,” he told the Fiji Sun.
“I think that’s what their country wants, what their family wants and what I want. I’m pretty confident they’ll do that, and I don’t think there’ll be any stone left unturned in terms of preparation.”
As of Monday evening, a total of 19 players were in camp. The remaining squad members are expected to join the team in Newcastle, Australia, on Sunday.
Flight changes had also affected the team, Potter said, with several play-ers going through changed flights.
“It was nearly like travelling to Europe as opposed to travelling to Fiji, just to get to Fiji, so they’re all very tired,” he said.
“We’ve got a good squad here and they need to keep training, other-wise they’re going to get an injury. It’s commendable that they do that in their own time.”
Potter has moved on from the Fainu brothers, Latu, Samuela and Sione, who have not been allowed to play for Fiji because their documentation does not meet International Rugby League requirements.
The absences have forced Potter to reshuffle three positions, cre-ating opportunities for younger players.
Newcastle Knights prop Jacob Saifiti is free to play for the Bati, following the completion of his four-match ban for a high shot on Warriors winger Luke Laulilii in the team’s NRL round 26 match.
The veteran prop is an important inclusion, especially with Kamikamica and Kikau both missing.
The Bati have been top performers at the World Cup and reached the semi-finals in 2008, 2013 and 2017 only to be knocked out by Australia on each occasion.
They will meet Cook Islands, Australia and New Zealand in pool play, in what is the toughest pool for the event.
Fiji Bati squad: Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Waqa Blake, Kurt Donoghoe, Apenisa Driti, Kitione Kautoga, Elijah Keung, Apisai Koroisau, Josese Lanyon, Jordan Leiu, Joseph Litidamu, Kylan Mafoa, Taane Milne, Caleb Navale, Jimmy Ngutlik, Ronald Philitoga, Mitchell Prest, Emosi Ravosai, Jacob Saifiti, Solomone Saukuru, Sunia Turuva, Brandon Wakeham, Jordan Miller
Toa Samoa stars
A star-studded squad will take Toa Samoa to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Captain and veteran forward Junior Paulo, PNG Chiefs bound Jarome Luai, Canterbury Bulldogs star Stephen Crichton, Penrith Panthers winger Brian To’o and Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are some of the big names in the squad.
Sua Fa’alogo, Clayton Faulalo, Deine Mariner and Greg Marzhew, who is coming off a heartbreaking Grand Final loss to the Roosters, plus Warriors playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita are some exciting names that will feature along the backline.
Samoa will play their first World Cup match next Friday, 16 October, against France.
Head coach Ben Gardiner told the media in Australia, following the squad announcement, the squad will play for the people of Samoa, with large crowds expected at all their matches, especially with battle against Tonga in their last pool game.
“One of the great things rugby league does is bring people together,” Gardiner said.
“As we build towards our first World Cup game, we want to thank all Samoans around the world for their ongoing support. Your blessings and prayers are welcomed, whether you are in Samoa, elsewhere around the world, taking part in a parade or marching into the ground, we see you and thank you for your love and support.
“Our staff and players look forward to seeing our colours, flags and supporters over the coming five weeks. We encourage everyone to celebrate safely and positively, showing our men’s and women’s teams love and blessings from near and far.
“As we pull on the blue jersey in Rugby League Samoa’s 40th anniversary year, we carry the pride and resilience of generations of players before us, while seeking to inspire the future of our game and our country.”
Experience is something the Toa Samoa will have a lot of, with their backliners in Crichton bringing 16 international caps and 14 State of Origin appearances, To’o having already represented Samoa 20 times and NSW 17 times and Luai, who has 13 caps for the Toa and 12 State of Origin appearances.
Samoa’s forward pack combines established international experience alongside Paulo, with Roosters NRL final winner Spencer Leniu adding to that.
Francis Manuleleua and Jermatime McEwen, who helped Newcastle to a Grand Final this year, are also in the squad as young guns.
Tabuai-Fidow’s inclusion is particularly significant, with the Dolphins star having previously represented Australia.
Toa Samoa squad: Shawn Blore Anae Ulesese (Melbourne Storm), Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Sua Fa’alogo (Melbourne Storm), Clayton Faulalo (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Benaiah Ioelu (Sydney Roosters), Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins), Spencer Leniu (Sydney Roosters), Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers), Francis Manuleleua (Newcastle Knights), Deine Mariner (Brisbane Broncos), Ata Mariota (Canberra Raiders), Greg Marzhew (Newcastle Knights), Jermaine McEwen (Newcastle Knights), Francis Molo (Dolphins), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Pasami Saulo (Newcastle Knights), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers), Jazz Tevaga (Wakefield Trinity), Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), Enari Tuala (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Ronald Volkman (Parramatta Eels)
Tonga’s balanced team
Tonga Rugby League chairman Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, who is also the country’s prime minister, believes the squad named is well-balanced with a lot of firepower across the field.
The headache for the coaching team will be who will they leave out from the 24 named in Nuku’alofa on Tuesday.
Three Roosters players, who claimed the National Rugby League grand final on Sunday night, have made the cut, when Tonga’s Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala revealed the squad make-up.
Tonga’s head coach Kristian Woolf will take an exciting squad into the World Cup, with one final player still to be cut before their opening match against England on Saturday 17 October in Perth.
Manly provides the biggest contingent with four players, Haumole Olakau’atu, Lehi Hopoate, Taniela Paseka and Tolutau Koula. The Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors follow with three each, while the Dolphins, Sharks, Titans and Cowboys each have two representatives.
The only players from outside the NRL are Huddersfield Giants’ Tuimoala Lolohea and Junior Amone who has most recently played in the Queensland Cup with Wynnum Manly.
Roosters trio Salesi Foketi, Siua Wong and Robert To’ia have all been named in the Tongan squad, two days after helping the Sdney club claim in the 2026 NRL title.
Veteran forward Jason Taumalolo, Newcastle Knights Tyson Frizell, Warriors Leka Halasima, Manly’s Haumole Olakau’tau and Cronulla Sharks Addin Fonua-Blake are some star players included in the squad.
Dolphins coach and longtime Tonga coach Woolf will map out the side’s campaign against England on October 17, with Lebanon and Samoa as their other pool opponents.
His club playmaker Isaiya Katoa, who was under injury worry, will provide a pin-point kicking and passing game for the side, with a lot of power and speed along the backline.
Lehi Hopoate, Jojo Fifita, Paul Alamoti, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Rob Toia, Tolu Koula and Sione Katoa can all run in at the centres or on the wing.
Upfront Foketi will join Olakau’atu and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki while Taumalolo, Moeaki Foutaika, Stefano Utoikamanu and Fonua-Blake will provide plenty of size and brutal strength up front.
Latu Fainu is the likely leading contender to partner Katoa, but Tuimoala Lolohea, Talatau Amone and even Koula are all options.
Tonga squad: Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (New Zealand Warriors), Demitric Vaimauga (New Zealand Warriors), Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys), Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans), Talatau Amone (Wynnum-Manly Seagulls), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), Latu Fainu (Wests Tigers), Lehi Hopoate (Manly Sea Eagles), Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans), Paul Alamoti (Penrith Panthers), Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters), Salesi Foketi (Sydney Roosters), Sione Katoa (North Queensland Cowboys), Siua Wong (Sydney Roosters), Soni Luke (North Queensland Cowboys), Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm), Taniela Paseka (Manly Sea Eagles), Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles), Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants), Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights)
