Full 2026 Rugby League World Cup schedule… and how it works<\/a><\/p>\nReece Walsh is back in. Picture Thomas LissonSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
Walsh was a standout in Australia\u2019s Ashes tour last year, opening the three-game series with a two-try performance in the 26-6 win over England while adding 196 run metres, seven tackle busts and two linebreak assists.<\/p>\n
The hope is that as inconsistent as Walsh was in clubland, he will only benefit from playing in a stacked Kangaroos line-up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis kid is a freak. He does things that other players just cannot do,\u201d added Aaron Woods on Rugby League: Agenda Setters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know Tedesco\u2019s workrate is very, very high. But what Reece Walsh can do on the field is scary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo, meanwhile, suggested earlier in the week that both injuries and the general wear and tear of a long NRL season may play into the decision to leave Tedesco and Walsh out of the opener.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember in \u201822, no grand final players played in the first game of the World Cup,\u201d Yeo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs much as everyone\u2019s going to talk about that, and that\u2019s fair, I remember back to then. \u201822 was Penrith and Parra. No Penrith players played in that first game. It\u2019s a long tournament, they\u2019ve had a really busy end of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve obviously got Sam with his ankle and then Teddy with his performance at the back end over that series. They didn\u2019t have a week off either; they played all through the finals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, the other big call was selecting Moses over Walker after the latter also helped guide the Roosters to a premiership.<\/p>\n
But Woods argued it may simply be a case of Walters looking for more balance and control in his spine.<\/p>\n
Moses is back in the Kangaroos side. Picture Thomas LissonSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
\u201cThey also need someone to simplify the game plan,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look at Reece Walsh. You look at Munster. They are guys who like to play a bit erratic. You don\u2019t know what you\u2019re going to get from them. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou chuck in Sam Walker. He doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s doing as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
As is the case with Tedesco, just because Walker isn\u2019t playing against New Zealand doesn\u2019t mean he won\u2019t feature at some point in the tournament either.<\/p>\n
Keary said he believes it is a \u201cwide-open\u201d race for the halfback jumper, with Walters\u2019 first-up decision made easier by the fact Walker is coming off a syndesmosis injury and entered camp late.<\/p>\n
But he could also see the logic in opting for Moses given his superior long-range kicking game, which will prove particularly crucial against a monster New Zealand forward pack.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think his kicking game is absolutely vital with Munster and Dearden who aren\u2019t noted kickers, to have Mitchell Moses there against packs that are going to dominate… they need someone like in Origin who can kick them out of trouble,\u201d Keary said.<\/p>\n
Walsh set for Kangaroos fullback jersey | 02:40<\/p>\n
WHY LUAI HAS A GLARING OPPORTUNITY<\/p>\n
Jarome Luai is ready to make a statement.<\/p>\n
That is according to English legend James Graham, who believes the Samoan superstar will have a point to prove heading into the 2026 tournament.<\/p>\n
Luai endured a troublesome season in Tiger town, signing with the PNG Chiefs for their 2028 NRL entry, before club officials made a huge call.<\/p>\n
The Tigers informed the former Panthers gun he was free to negotiate with rivals for 2027 and rumblings of a rift between he and head coach Benji Marshall emerged.<\/p>\n
The club insisted his departure was being facilitated to simply free up cap space to re-sign a host of off-contract stars and look towards the future, but the decision rippled throughout the squad.<\/p>\n
Throw in Adam Doueihi\u2019s decision to stand himself down \u2014 and the Tigers\u2019 2026 campaign was once again thrown into turmoil by off-season issues.<\/p>\n
Regardless, Luai ended his 2026 club campaign as an unwanted commodity, signing with the Eels for a single season before he links up with the Chiefs.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old has been the focal point of this Samoan line-up for several years, masterminding their surge to the 2021 World Cup final to become the first Pacific nation to ever feature in the spectacle.<\/p>\n
For Samoa to once again find success, Graham believed Luai needed to lead the way.<\/p>\n
Jarome Luai in action for Samoa.Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s had a tough year… this is a huge opportunity for him to send a message and remind everybody just how good he can be,\u201d Graham said on his Bye Round Podcast.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel as though this will have a bit of his team about it. It\u2019ll look like it\u2019s his team. I think for Samoa to progress, Luai is going to be the man that pulls all the strings.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of Luai\u2019s biggest strengths in his ability to connect a team.<\/p>\n
His leadership was one of the reasons behind the Tigers\u2019 big play to recruit him in the first place \u2014 and to start out their 2026 campaign, he led from the front. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe know he\u2019s great at connecting people. He\u2019s fantastic at doing that, uniting everybody for a common cause,\u201d Graham explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get behind Jarome and show the world what we\u2019re made of. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut then when it comes to the football, the creativity, the try assists, the set-up plays and all the nuance that happens in the spine, it\u2019s going to be down to him to be the main man.\u201d <\/p>\n
Interestingly, Samoa teammate Junior Paulo, who is also set to welcome Luai to the Eels next season, backed the five-eighth to have a big impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs someone who knows him \u2026 he\u2019s someone that is misunderstood. He\u2019s a competitor, and I think it\u2019s probably been a bit unfair, the treatment that he\u2019s copped over recent weeks,\u201d he said to the SMH.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hasn\u2019t done any wrong. It\u2019s just one of those things where there\u2019s always going to be someone who\u2019s opinionated. Luckily for \u2018Rome\u2019, nothing fazes him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a reason why he\u2019s won four comps, so that\u2019s the experience we want to bring at Parramatta. We\u2019re looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
HOW KIWIS CAN UNLEASH THEIR UNLIKELY X-FACTOR<\/p>\n
All the talk regarding New Zealand has been about Kalyn Ponga.<\/p>\n
The superstar fullback\u2019s shock allegiance switch shapes as a huge boost for the Kiwis, adding an elite No.1 to their side with proven representative experience.<\/p>\n
But where to for Keano Kini?<\/p>\n
The Titans gun is New Zealand\u2019s incumbent fullback and did a fine job during their Pacific Championships victory.<\/p>\n
However, he has now been displaced \u2014 and it remains to be seen if he will have a role to play after being named on the bench.<\/p>\n
League legend James Graham has floated an interesting role for Kini, who possesses speed and a innate ability to beat defenders, especially in space.<\/p>\n
Carrying an outside back on the bench has become incredibly common this season after the game shifted to a six-man bench.<\/p>\n
That player often misses out on taking the field, but Graham urged Stacey Jones to unleash the Titans flyer as his side\u2019s X-factor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat speed around the ruck. Let those lads do the damage and if the game is in the balance at 60 minutes, throw in Keano Kini with that speed,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
But that begs another question \u2014 what about Ponga?<\/p>\n
Kiwis gunning to unleash Kalyn Ponga | 01:02<\/p>\n
Ponga has previously featured outside of the fullback position during his Origin appearances, having been deployed as a roving lock, shifting into the middle of the park.<\/p>\n
Graham believed Jones should adopt that formula, allowing both Ponga and Kini to wreak havoc.<\/p>\n
\u201cPut them (Kini and Ponga) both on together. Move Ponga to that lock forward position,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a frightening prospect. I think if this camp can be happy, the can go all the way and repeat the 2008 win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Kiwis also boast arguably the most stacked forward pack the World Cup has ever seen.<\/p>\n
Highliting their depth in the middle is the fact that two of Erin Clark, Joseph Tapine, James Fisher-Harris, Naufahu Whyte and Moses Leota will come off the bench.<\/p>\n
And again, that group boasts multiple premierships, with Whyte ticking off the most recent one in 2026, as well as numerous Dally M Lock and Prop of the year awards.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can say with full confidence I think the Kiwis have the best forward pack at this year\u2019s World Cup… whoever Stacey picks it\u2019s going to be a stacked forward pack,\u201d Graham said.<\/p>\n
Keano Kini could wreak havoc. (Photo by Chris Hyde\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
ENGLAND\u2019S CONTROVERSIAL SELECTION CALL<\/p>\n
All the selection talk in Australia has been about the Kangaroos fullback and halves battle.<\/p>\n
But Kevin Walters\u2019 decision to name Reece Walsh in the No.1 jersey could pale in comparison to England coach Brian McDermott\u2019s shock decision.<\/p>\n
English fans erupted when their squad was announced, with one glaring omission in their 23-man group \u2014 Jake Connor.<\/p>\n
Following a 3-0 Ashes defeat at the hands of Australia, Shaun Wane stood down and McDermott took his place ahead of his first tournament in charge in the coming days.<\/p>\n
In a bid to find success, McDermott has often mentioned he wants his side to have a \u201cpoint of difference\u201d.<\/p>\n
He believed that X-factor could be found in playmaker Mikey Lewis, instead of Connor who was recently named the Super League\u2019s Man of Steel.<\/p>\n
To explain the omission in NRL terms, it\u2019d be the equivalent of Walters leaving Nathan Cleary out to instead select Mitchell Moses.<\/p>\n
Both great halfbacks who deserve a spot in the squad, but one undoubtedly enjoyed a better season and had the form that warrants earning the No.7 jersey.<\/p>\n
In the end, while Lewis was named in England\u2019s squad for the World Cup he ended up missing out on a place in the starting side with Harry Smith getting the nod. <\/p>\n
McDermott has been vocal of his appreciation for Smith\u2019s calming nature at halfback, with the Wigan Warriors star offering a dependable kicking game and clinical approach to the end of sets that can help England compete with the bigger and more powerful forward packs at the World Cup. <\/p>\n
Mikey Lewis of Hull KR. (Photo by George Wood\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
As for the decision to leave Connor out of the squad entirely?<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe Jake has had a really good year,\u201d McDermott said when explaining his decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had an outstanding year last year, got the Man of Steel and again has played with a leading team this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t do the usual things. I\u2019ve made this point from the day I took the job \u2013 we\u2019ve got to play with a point of difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I\u2019ve got a squad of players here that I believe are best suited to the attack plan and the game model that I think England need to play.<\/p>\n
\u201cMikey Lewis won a World Cup Challenge at the start of this year and guided his team to a Challenge Cup final.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get that he wasn\u2019t in the best of shape towards the back end of the year and incurred a couple of bans there, but again, I will just point everybody to the attack plan and the game model that I think that England needs to have to be able to compete with the nations.\u201d<\/p>\n
THE BIG ADVANTAGE TONGA HAS OVER RIVALS <\/p>\n
Tonga co-captain and halfback Isaiya Katoa will be brimming with confidence heading into this year\u2019s World Cup on the back of leading the Dolphins into their first ever finals series.<\/p>\n
The Dolphins only fell one game short of the spot in the grand final and Katoa was a massive reason for the club\u2019s improved campaign.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to believe he\u2019s only 22 years old but despite the tender age, Katoa is one of the best halfbacks in the world.<\/p>\n
While that may be subjective, what is a fact is that Katoa is unquestionably the main man for Tonga in their bid for a maiden World Cup title.<\/p>\n
Yes, the Tongan forward pack with names such as Taumalolo, Finefeuiaki, Utoikamanu and Olakau\u2019atu is dominant and elite and their go-forward is crucial, but everything will go through the crafty halfback.<\/p>\n
According to ex-England forward James Graham, it\u2019s an advantage they hold over a much-more fancied side in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019ve got that pack and you have that strike, you need someone pulling all the strings,\u201d Graham said on his Bye Round podcast.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook at Australia. It\u2019s hard to know sometimes who is in charge of that spine. Harry Grant will dominate to an extent but Walker, Walsh, Tedesco and Moses will want plenty of say as will Munster. But Katoa is the man for Tonga.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no question who is running that team which is an advantage. It\u2019s his job to get this team over the line.\u201d<\/p>\n
Isaiya Katoa of Tonga. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Barring catastrophe, Katoa will don the No. 7 jersey against England in Perth on Saturday. Who will wear the six is shrouded in mystery at the moment, although Latu Fainu appears the favourite.<\/p>\n
Fainu is a fine player but he has yet to reach his potential in the NRL.<\/p>\n
Former Dragons coach Shane Flanagan believes Fainu \u2013 or whoever else partners Katoa \u2013 needs to keep their game plan simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever partners Katoa, (coach) Kristian Woolf will go to that player and tell him he needs to concentrate on just two or three things and let Izzy take control and do what he does.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust defend well and get the ball when we need you too but the first thing is to defend well.\u201d<\/p>\n
An interesting point Flanagan also noted was Woolf\u2019s relationship with Katoa.<\/p>\n
The two obviously have a close connection given Woolf is the Dolphins\u2019 head coach and made Katoa captain of both the NRL side and Tonga.<\/p>\n
Flanagan says it\u2019s another advantage Tonga has on some of their other high-profile rivals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Woolfy as the coach, they\u2019ve got a bit of a step ahead as they\u2019ve worked together for a few years now.\u201d <\/p>\n
THE KUMULS GUNS VYING FOR SPOTS ON CHIEFS ROSTER<\/p>\n
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup will see a host of Papua New Guinea internationals put themselves in the frame for a place in the PNG Chiefs inaugural roster.<\/p>\n
With the NRL\u2019s newest franchise preparing to enter the competition in 2028, the tournament offers Kumuls players a major opportunity to showcase their talents on the international stage and strengthen their case for an NRL contract.<\/p>\n
It comes as Chiefs GM of Football Michael Chammas confirmed the club will include several homegrown talents in its foundation roster.<\/p>\n
Speaking to foxsports.com.au, NRL veteran Jack De Belin believes there is plenty of talent worth watching, with Super League dummy-half Edwin Ipape among the players he expects to garner a lot of attention<\/p>\n
Although he is contracted with the Leigh Leopards until the end of 2031, he previously found himself linked to the Chiefs earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cEdwin Ipape is a gun,\u201d De Belin said.<\/p>\n
Jillaroos enter new era without Ali | 00:53<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time I played with him, some of the things he can do and even watching him play in the Super League, he\u2019s a remarkable player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two other players who have caught De Belin\u2019s attention are playmaker Gairo Voro and fullback Morea Morea.<\/p>\n
The duo are currently on development contracts with the Chiefs for 2028, but a standout World Cup campaign could see them promoted to the Top 30 roster.<\/p>\n
Likened to Jarome Luai due to his looks, Voro can play five-eighth or halfback and is coming off a tremendous season with the London Broncos.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Morea, who is also with the Broncos, is known for his glistening speed and ability to break through defensive lines with ease.<\/p>\n
\u201cGairo Voro is a real talent. He\u2019s an absolute weapon,\u201d De Belin added.<\/p>\n
Meet Papua New Guinea\u2019s version of Jarome Luai. Just like Luai, Gairo Voro has the flowing long hair, black headgear and wears the No.6 jumper in his ambition to be one of the first signings for Papua New Guinea\u2019s entry to the NRL in 2028.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be honest, I hadn\u2019t really seen much of how he went with the London Broncos this year, but I\u2019m sure he would have been putting on absolute clinics.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother one is Morea Morea. He\u2019s small in stature, but he\u2019s just lightning fast. He\u2019s always amongst it.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the duo will be eager to make their mark, De Belin is also excited to see how Josh Feledy (Sea Eagles) and Luca Moretti (Eels) perform as their look to stake their own claims.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m also excited to see how Luca Moretti and Josh Feledy go as well. It\u2019s exciting for them,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
Perth Bears CEO steps down | 00:34<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Rugby League World Cup gets underway with a blockbuster on Thursday night as tournament favourites Australia and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":927100,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[64,63,761,762,158,85],"class_list":["post-927099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-nrl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/927099","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=927099"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/927099\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/927100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=927099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=927099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=927099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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