Rugby League World Cup 2026 Injury List and Suspensions
Nathan Cleary won’t play at the Rugby League World Cup 2026, and he isn’t the only big name missing.
Injuries and suspensions have hit several teams, and the squads named this week confirm exactly who’s missing.
Australia have lost Nathan Cleary, Hudson Young and Xavier Coates, Samoa are without Payne Haas, PNG have lost Alex Johnston, and New Zealand’s Phoenix Crossland is suspended for all three pool games.
This page tracks every confirmed injury and suspension for all 10 men’s teams, plus the Women’s and Wheelchair World Cups when news breaks.
We’ll update it after each squad announcement and every round of the tournament, right through to the Final.
Bookmark it and check back before every match day to see who’s in and who’s out.
Quick Answer: Rugby League World Cup 2026 Injuries and Suspensions
- Biggest loss: Nathan Cleary (Australia), broken ankle, out of the tournament
- Suspended: Phoenix Crossland (New Zealand), four-match ban, misses all three pool games
- Also out: Hudson Young and Xavier Coates (Australia), Payne Haas (Samoa), Alex Johnston (PNG), Brendan Piakura (Cook Islands)
- Playing through injury: Isaah Yeo will captain Australia despite a ruptured pectoral
- Last updated: 6 October 2026
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Injury List
| Player | Team | Injury or reason | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Cleary | Australia | Compound fracture and dislocated ankle | Out of the World Cup |
| Hudson Young | Australia | Achilles | Out |
| Xavier Coates | Australia | Achilles | Out |
| Isaah Yeo | Australia | Ruptured pectoral | Playing, delaying surgery to captain the side |
| Dylan Edwards | Australia | Knee (PCL) | Not named in the squad |
| Lindsay Collins | Australia | Injury | Out, replaced by Lindsay Smith |
| Phoenix Crossland | New Zealand | Four-match suspension | Misses all three pool games |
| Kaeo Weekes | New Zealand | Injury | Missed the squad |
| Trey Mooney | New Zealand | Injury | Missed the squad |
| Payne Haas | Samoa | Finger surgery | Out |
| Roger Tuivasa-Sheck | Samoa | ACL | Out |
| Terrell May | Samoa | Unavailable | Not in the squad |
| Alex Johnston | PNG | Knee and finger surgery | Out |
| Brendan Piakura | Cook Islands | Concussions | Out |
| Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone, Caleb Hamlin-Uele | England | Injury | Withdrew before selection |
| George Williams | England | Neck | Fit, named captain |
Australia: Who’s Out and Who’s Playing Through Injury?
Nathan Cleary suffered a compound fracture and dislocated ankle in Penrith’s preliminary final, and needed emergency surgery.
Australia’s first-choice halfback will miss the whole tournament. Sam Walker was named in the squad as one of six debutants.
Captain Isaah Yeo has been playing with a ruptured pectoral, and he will delay surgery to captain the Kangaroos. Fullback Dylan Edwards has a PCL knee injury and was not named in the squad.
James Tedesco was recalled, and Walters named his squad on Monday 5 October. See our Australia Kangaroos squad page.
New Zealand: Why Is Phoenix Crossland Suspended?
Crossland was sent off for the hip-drop tackle that broke Cleary’s ankle, and the NRL judiciary handed him a four-match ban.
The ban covers the NRL Grand Final and all three of New Zealand’s pool games, against Australia, the Cook Islands and Fiji.
Jeremy Marshall-King and Brandon Smith are the Kiwis’ hooker options. See the New Zealand Kiwis squad.
England: George Williams Fit to Captain
George Williams has proved his fitness after a neck injury and will captain England.
Super League champions Wakefield lost Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone and Caleb Hamlin-Uele to injury before England’s squad was named.
Follow the latest on our England squad page.
Samoa, PNG and the Cook Islands
Samoa are without Payne Haas (finger surgery) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (ACL injury), and Terrell May was also unavailable.
PNG have lost record try-scorer Alex Johnston, who needs knee and finger surgery.
The Cook Islands are without Brendan Piakura after a string of concussions at the Broncos.
We’ll add any news here as soon as it breaks. See every team in our teams guide.
How Injuries and Suspensions Work at the World Cup
NRL suspensions carry over into international matches, which is why Crossland’s ban includes World Cup games.
Teams can also replace injured players during the tournament, as several did at the last World Cup.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Injuries: FAQ
Is Nathan Cleary playing at the Rugby League World Cup 2026?
No. Cleary is out of the tournament after suffering a compound fracture and dislocated ankle in the NRL preliminary final.
Why is Phoenix Crossland suspended?
He received a four-match ban for the hip-drop tackle on Cleary, ruling him out of all three of New Zealand’s pool games.
Is Isaah Yeo playing at the World Cup?
Yes. Yeo will captain Australia, delaying surgery on a ruptured pectoral to lead the Kangaroos.
Can teams replace injured players during the World Cup?
Yes. Teams can bring in replacements for players ruled out by injury during the tournament.
Who is in Australia’s World Cup squad?
Kevin Walters named a 23-man Kangaroos squad on 5 October 2026, led by captain Isaah Yeo.
Is Payne Haas playing for Samoa?
No. Payne Haas was unavailable after finger surgery and is not in Samoa’s World Cup squad.
Is Alex Johnston playing for PNG?
No. Alex Johnston misses the World Cup after needing knee and finger surgery.
Conclusion
Australia have been hit hardest so far, with Cleary out and their captain playing through injury.
New Zealand will start without Crossland. For the original reports, see NRL.com.
Injury List Updates
- 6 October 2026: Samoa, PNG and Cook Islands squads confirm Payne Haas, Alex Johnston and Brendan Piakura are out. George Williams is fit to captain England.
- 5 October 2026: Kangaroos squad named. Isaah Yeo will captain despite his pectoral injury, and Dylan Edwards was not selected.
- 4 October 2026: Page published with confirmed injuries and suspensions for Australia, New Zealand and England.
