Round two of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) will determine which Pacific Island teams will stay in the race for a top-two finishes in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
In the women’s competition, the clash between the Papua New Guinea Orchids and Fiji Bulikula in Port Moresby on Saturday will determine which team keeps its hopes alive in Pool B.
The PNG Orchids had a big 58-4 win over France in round one at home, while the Fiji Bulikula lost 12-18 to the Kiwi Ferns.
If the Orchids win, then they should be in the running for a top-two finish, but if the Bulikula gets the victory then that throws the pool wide open.
New Zealand will beat France in Christchurch and are set to finish as the number one team from the pool.
Pool A has Australia leading but they meet England in what is also expected to be a fiery contest. Both sides claimed wins in the opening round.
Fetu Samoa meets Wales, with a chance to get a win if they can repeat their performance against the Jillaroos but get points on the board.
In the men’s competition, a lot of interest will be on Toa Samoa and PNG Kumuls match on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams recorded wins in the first round.
The Kumuls are playing at home and will have a lot of home support, while Samoa has NRL stars packed across their team. Whichever team wins has a good chance of finishing in the top two in the poll, where focus will also be on how Tonga and England fare this weekend.
Tonga, who beat England for the first time last weekend, take on Lebanon, while England meets France.
Women’s competition
Kick off: Friday, 24 October, 7:45pm
Fetu Samoa will be gunning for a win against Wales after their first round loss to Australia.
The team named for the clash sees captain Evania Isa’ako stepping into the number six in place of Taliah Fuimaono.
Reshuffling will see Leilani Wilson starting in the second row with Tavarna Papalii in at lock, while Tyra Ekepati starts at centre. She replaces Sarina Masaga, who suffered a tournament-ending Achilles injury in last week’s loss to the Jillaroos.
Two new players join the interchange, in Jetaya Faifua and Christabelle Onesemo.
Welsh coach Thomas Brindle has also made changes to his side.
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. Amber Hall, 17. Jasmine Solia, 18. Jaydika Tafua, 19. Jetaya Faifua: Reserves: 20. Christabelle Onesemo, 21. Christian Pio, 22. Tavarna Papalii.
Wales: 1. Leanne Burnell, 2. Zoe Heeley, 3. Jade Mullen, 4. Hannah Bluck, 5. Sian Williams, 6. Amberely Ruck, 7. Tayla Preston, 8. Agnes Wood, 9. Jasmine Gibbons, 10. Emily Hughes, 11. Georgia Cussons, 12. Page Travis, 13. Bethan Dainton; Interchange: Carys Marsh, 15. Kathryn Salter, 16. Erin Williams, 17. Gracie Hobbs, 19. Ffion Lewis; Reserves: 20. Lucia Davies, 21. Frances Layton, 18. Katie Carr.
Fiji Bulikula vs PNG Orchids
Kick off: Saturday, 24 October, 3:15pm
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Former Wallaroos player Tamika Jones suffered a shoulder injury against New Zealand and is out of the tournament.
It means Fiji Bulikula head coach Jone Wesele has been forced to make a change to the team that took New Zealand to the wire in last weekend’s 18-12 loss.
Nanise Vakacavu shifting from the bench to the starting lineup, going into the backrow for the Bulikula.
The only local player for the Fijians, Naomi Tegu, will go into the interchange.
The PNG Orchids are favourites at home, following last weekend’s win over France.
They have made just one change as well, with Venessa Nakas starting in place of the powerful Belinda Gwasamun, who shifts to the reserves.
Captain and prop Elsie Albert leads the team again.
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.
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.
Men’s competition
Kick off: Friday, 23 October, 10:05pm
Veteran Tui Lolohea, who came off the bench against England last weekend, starts at five-eighth.
Coach Kristian Woolf has made some changes to his match-day squad, with a win in his mind, as the fight for top two from the combined Pool B and C intensifies.
Sione Katoa and Paul Alamoti join the backline in place of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Rob Toia, who started in round one.
Storm star Stefano Utoikamanu starts at prop with co-captain Jason Taumalolo shifting to lock.
Tyson Frizell is rested this week.
Lebanon has made one change for the clash from the team that lost to PNG Kumuls, with Moustafa Dirani promoted to start at hooker.
Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Tolutau Koula, 4. Paul Alamoti, 5. Jojo Fifita, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Salesi Foketi , 10. Stefano Utoikamanu, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Jason Taumalolo (c); Interchange: 14. Soni Luke, 15. Taniela Paseka, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Leka Halasima, 18. Latu Fainu, 19. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak; Reserves: 20. Talatau Amone, 21. Robert Toia, 22. Siua Wong.
Lebanon: 1. Jacob Kiraz, 2. Tony Francis, 3. Michael Gabrael, 4. Jordan Samrani, 5. Jason Saab, 6. Khaled Rajab, 7. Alex Conti, 8. Jaxson Rahme, 9. Moustafa Dirani, 10. James Roumanos, 11. Tony Sukkar, 12. Mikael Ibrahim, 13. Alex Twal (c); Intercnahge: 14. Yehya Ayache, 15. Tupou Francis, 16. Jalal Bazzaz, 17. Khalil Rahme, 18. Joseph Nohra, 19. Abbas Miski; Reserves: 20. Ibrahim El Labban, 21. Mohamed Alameddine, 22. Cameron Kanaan.
Kick off: Saturday, 24 October, 5:25pm
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Both the Kumuls and Toa Samoa have a win each and Saturday’s clash could decide which of the two will have a better chance of qualifying for the semifinals.
The Kumuls have given halfback Bailey Biondi-Odo, prop Epel Kapinias and lock Jack de Belin starting lineup.
Some new players are on the bench, including Manly outside back Josh Feledy, plus Central Queensland Capras duo Rodrick Tai and Khaiya Waiembi.
For Toa Samoa, coach Ben Gardiner has replaced the injured Deine Mariner, who suffered a hamstring against France in round one.
In his place is winger Sua Fa’alogo, who bagged four tries after coming on early to replace Mariner against France.
Eels playmaker Ronald Volkman, who will play his second Test match for Samoa after debuting in 2023 against New Zealand, will be on the bench.
Papua New Guinea: 1. Morea Morea, 2. Robert Derby, 3. Zac Laybutt, 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. Jack de Belin: Interchange: 14. Finley Glare, 15. Liam Horne, 16. Valentine Richard, 17. Khaiya Waiembi, 18. Rodrick Tai, 19. Josh Feledy: Reserves: 20. Sylvester Namo, 21. Sanny Wabo, 22. Zev John.
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, 20. Pasami Saulo, 21. Enari Tuala, 22. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava.
New Zealand v Cook Islands
Kick off: Sunday, 25 October, 6:05pm
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Valentine Holmes returns at fullback for the Cook Islands in his Rugby League World Cup debut for the side.
He missed last weekend’s first round clash against Fiji because of an ankle injury.
Interestingly he will play against New Zealand, the team he played against in his last Kangaroos appearance in 2023.
A change at halfback see veteran Brad Takairangi replacing Esan Marsters, who had a good second half showing against the Bati.
The Kiwis will miss fullback Kalyn Ponga, who suffered a broken arm in the first round loss to the Kangaroos.
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; Interchange: 7. Esan Marsters, 14. K-Ci Newton-Whare, 15. David Tuariki, 16. Makahesi Makatoa, 18. Chaev Kolone, 19. Glassie Glassie; Reserves: 20. Brody Tamarua, 21. Esom Ioka, 22. Pride Petterson-Robati.
New Zealand: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Xavier Willison, 12. Scott Sorensen, 13. Erin Clark; Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Leo Thompson, 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 17. Jacob Laban, 18. Isaiah Papali’I, 19. Briton Nikora; Reserves: 20. Dane Gagai 21. Naufahu Whyte 22. Moses Leota.
Kick off: Sunday, 25 October, 10:05pm
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
From the frying pan into the fire will be true for the Fiji Bati in the second round, where they face defending champions Australia in a Pool A clash.
Head coach Mick Potter has kept the same squad that beat the Cook Islands.
Api Koroisau leads the team again with experienced hands in Sunia Turuva, veteran prop Jacob Saifiti, and playmaker Brandon Wakeham backing him.
Potter demanded the Bati step up to the Kangaroos, after a slower second half show against the Cook Islands.
Australia have named James Tedesco as captain, with Bradman Best, Sam Walker, Blayke Brailey and Lindsay Smith all named in the Kangaroos side for their first appearance of the World Cup.
Tongan heritage player David Fifita makes his Kangaroos debut after playing four Tests for Tonga at the 2022 World Cup.
Fiji: 1. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, 2. Sunia Turuva, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Solomone Saukuru, 5. Semi Valemei, 6. Kurt Donoghoe, 7. Brandon Wakeham, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Apisai Koroisau (c), 10. Mitchell Prest, 11. Taane Milne, 12. Kitione Kautoga, 13. Caleb Navale; Interchange: 14. Josese Lanyon, 15. Emosi Ravosai, 16. Elijah Keung, 17. Ronald Philitoga, 18. Jordin Leiu, 19. Apenisa Driti; Reserves: 20. Joseph Litidamu, 21. Zion Johnson, 22. Kylan Mafoa.
Australia: 1. James Tedesco (c), 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Keaon Koloamatangi, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Lindsay Smith, 11. David Fifita, 12. Reuben Cotter, 13. Cameron Murray; Interchange: 14. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 15. Jacob Preston, 16. Patrick Carrigan, 17. Cameron Munster, 18. Reece Walsh, 19. Latrell Mitchell; Reserves: 20. Liam Martin, 21. Harry Grant, 22. Isaah Yeo.
