Rugby League World Cup 2026, Round 2, women’s, official team lists, injuries, updates

England have been forced into a late change for Saturday’s showdown with the Jillaroos after Jasmin Strange suffered a knee injury at training. 

The backrower will miss the clash at HBF Park and has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with an ACL injury. 

Lucy Murray has come into the starting lineup as Strange’s replacement.

Official squads, team lists and schedule for all Round 2 matches of the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

Full tournament draw HERE
Get your tickets HERE

Note: The Women’s World Cup will be played under the same rules as the NRLW competition, with four players on the interchange and an 18th player.

World Cup Round 2 Late Mail
Samoa v Wales, Friday 5.45pm AEDT at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Samoa: The Fetu will line up 1-17 with no late changes. Captain Evania Isa’ako will step into the No.6 jumper in place of Taliah Fuimaono, with Leilani Wilson moving into the second row and Tavarna Papalii to start at lock as a result of the reshuffle. Tyra Ekepati starts at centre after Sarina Masaga suffered a tournament-ending Achilles injury in last week’s loss to the Jillaroos. Jetaya Faifua is the 18th player.

Wales: The Welsh are 1-17 with no game day changes. Earlier in the week, coach Thomas Brindle rejigged his backline with Amberley Ruck replacing Ffion Lewis at five-eighth and Zoe Heeley moving from centre to the wing. Jade Mullen is the new face in the centres, while Sian Williams has also come on to the wing. Last week’s wingers Dani McGifford and Frances Layton drop out of the side. The starting pack is unchanged but there is one change in the interchange. Gracie Hobbs comes on to the bench, with Katie Carr reverting to 18th player. 

Fiji v PNG, Saturday 1.15pm AEDT at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Fiji: A couple of late changes for Fiji, with Maria Paseka dropping out of the side. The winger suffered a knee injury in last week’s tight loss to New Zealand and won’t be able to take her place against PNG. Tahlia Marshall moves from the bench to the wing, with Abigayle Sekitoga the new face on the interchange. On Tuesday, Nanise Vakacavu was named in the starting lineup. While she will start in the backrow, Vakacavu will still wear the No.17 jumper as she replaces the injured Tamika Jones (shoulder). Ema Masi is the 18th player in jumper No.12. Naomi Tegu comes on to the interchange after acting as 18th player last week. 

PNG: The Orchids have also made a series of late change with Jenny David moving from the bench to start at prop. Backrower Belinda Gwasamun has come into the starting side after initially being named in the reserves. Vanesa Nakas shifts to the interchange, while Gemma Walker has also come on to the bench in place of Therese Aiton, who is the new 18th player. Prop Elsie Albert will again captain the side, while Fleur Ginn and Cynthiah Peters will link up in the halves. 

Australia v England, Saturday 8.05pm AEDT at HBF Park, Perth

Australia: Dragons recruit Makenzie Weale and former sevens star Sariah Paki are in line for Test debuts after being named on the interchange for Saturday night’s clash with England. Coach Jess Skinner has made a handful of changes to the side that defeated Samoa last week, with Abbi Church coming in on the wing and Julia Robinson shifting to centre. Jess Sergis has been rested. Tiana Penitani Gray will line up in the back row with Kezie Apps rested, while Quincy Dodd has also come on to the bench. 

England: Lucy Murray has come into the starting side after backrower Jasmin Strange suffered a tournament-ending knee injury at training this week. Stuart Barrow has also made a shock selection call at halfback, calling in 19-year-old Jenna Foubister to wear the No.7 jumper and partner Isabel Rowe in the halves. Foubister was named Woman of Steel after a standout year in the Super League and came off the bench in last week’s win over Wales. Georgia Roche shifts to the interchange as a result. Molly Jones has been named to replace Georgia Wilson in the centres while Liv Wood steps in at prop in place of Mary Coleman.

New Zealand v France, Sunday 2.00pm AEDT at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

New Zealand: Coach Ricky Henry has shaken up his halves after last week’s tight win over Fiji, with Chantay Kiria-Ratu to make her first appearance for New Zealand and Zahara Temara shifting to the reserves. Tenika Willison replaces Leianne Tufuga on the wing, while there have also been a host of changes to the forward pack. Alexis Tauaneai and Ivana Lauitiiti will start at prop after coming off the bench last week and Brooke Anderson comes into start at lock. Shannon Mato reverts to the interchange, with Trinity Tauaneai and Shaniece Monschau the two new faces on the bench. 

France: One change for France in Saturday’s 24-hour update with captain Tallis Eranossian coming into start at lock and Justine Roses shifting back to the bench. Perle Ramazeilles has shifted from the wing to centre, with Haoua Kessely named on the wing after being a late withdrawal last week. Amael Vilanove reverts to the reserves as a result. Changes up front as well for the French, with Leila Bessahli shifting from lock to prop and Fanny Ramos moving from the interchange to start at hooker. Justine Roses has been named at lock after acting as 18th player last week. Noemie Samuel and Elodie Pacull are the new faces on the bench.