Samoa Rugby League Next Game: Rugby League World Cup 2026 Fixtures
When do Samoa play next at the Rugby League World Cup 2026, and what time does it start back home in Samoa?
Toa Samoa reached the final at the last World Cup, so fans across the Pacific are counting down to their first match.
Samoa’s next game is against France on Friday 16 October 2026 at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, kicking off at 7:45pm Samoa time (5:45pm Sydney, 7:45am UK).
After that, Samoa play Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on 24 October and Tonga in Parramatta on 1 November.
Below, you’ll find every Samoa fixture in Samoa, Sydney and UK time, the TV channels, team news and the path to the semi-finals.
We update this page after every match, so it always shows Samoa’s next game and latest result first.
Quick Answer: Samoa Rugby League Next Game
- Next game: Samoa v France, Friday 16 October 2026
- Kick-off: 7:45pm Samoa time (5:45pm Sydney, 7:45pm NZ, 7:45am UK)
- Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, Sydney
- Watch: Seven and 7plus (Australia), Sky Sport (NZ), Premier Sports (UK)
- Opponents: France, Papua New Guinea and Tonga
- Last updated: 10 October 2026
When Is Samoa’s Next Game?
Samoa open their Rugby League World Cup 2026 campaign against France on Friday 16 October, at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
It’s a double-header, with Fetu Samoa playing the Jillaroos at the same stadium straight after the men’s match.
Samoa Rugby League World Cup 2026 Fixtures
| Date | Match | Venue | Samoa time | Sydney | UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 16 Oct | Samoa v France | CommBank Stadium, Parramatta | 7:45pm | 5:45pm | 7:45am |
| Sat 24 Oct | PNG v Samoa | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby | 5:25pm | 3:25pm | 5:25am |
| Sun 1 Nov | Tonga v Samoa | CommBank Stadium, Parramatta | 10:05pm | 8:05pm | 9:05am |
For every other match in your time zone, see our Rugby League World Cup 2026 kick-off times guide.
What Time Is Samoa vs France?
Samoa vs France kicks off at 5:45pm Sydney time on Friday 16 October. That’s 7:45pm in Samoa and New Zealand, and 7:45am in the UK.
In Paris, it’s 8:45am. See France’s full squad on our France Rugby League World Cup squad page.
What Channel Is Samoa Rugby League On?
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports (subscription)
Travelling to Sydney or Port Moresby to support Samoa? NordVPN keeps your home streaming account working and protects you on public Wi-Fi. (We may earn a commission.)
For other countries, see our guide to watching the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Samoa Team List v France
Samoa’s team for the opener was named on Tuesday 13 October, with Jarome Luai and Junior Paulo as co-captains. Here’s the official 17, as published on NRL.com.
| No. | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | Fullback |
| 2 | Brian To’o | Wing |
| 3 | Izack Tago | Centre |
| 4 | Stephen Crichton | Centre |
| 5 | Deine Mariner | Wing |
| 6 | Chanel Harris-Tavita | Five-eighth |
| 7 | Jarome Luai | Halfback |
| 8 | Francis Molo | Prop |
| 9 | Benaiah Ioelu | Hooker |
| 10 | Junior Paulo | Prop |
| 11 | Connelly Lemuelu | Second row |
| 12 | Jermaine McEwen | Second row |
| 13 | Francis Manuleleua | Lock |
| 14 | Jazz Tevaga | Bench |
| 15 | Spencer Leniu | Bench |
| 16 | Shawn Blore | Bench |
| 17 | Sualauvi Fa’alogo | Bench |
Coaches can still make late changes, so the final 17 is confirmed shortly before kick-off.
See France’s team, and every other Round 1 side, on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 team lists page.
Samoa Team 2026: The Big Selection Calls
Jarome Luai partners Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback.
Stephen Crichton and Izack Tago start in the centres, with Brian To’o and Deine Mariner on the wings.
Benaiah Ioelu gets the No. 9 jersey, with Jazz Tevaga on the bench.
Jermaine McEwen and Francis Manuleleua make their Test debuts in the back row.
Samoa Rugby League World Cup 2026 Squad
Ben Gardiner named a 23-man squad on 6 October, captained by Junior Paulo, with Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
See every player and club on our Toa Samoa squad page, and check the injury list for absences.
Fetu Samoa Fixtures at the Rugby League World Cup 2026
| Date | Match | Venue | Samoa time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 16 Oct | Australia v Samoa | CommBank Stadium, Parramatta | 10:05pm |
| Fri 23 Oct | Samoa v Wales | CommBank Stadium, Parramatta | 7:50pm |
| Fri 30 Oct | England v Samoa | WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 7:50pm |
See every women’s team in our Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 guide.
Can Samoa Reach the Rugby League World Cup 2026 Final?
Samoa are in Pool B, but they play the three Pool C teams: France, PNG and Tonga. The top two in the combined Pools B and C table reach the semi-finals.
That makes the Pacific clash with Tonga on 1 November huge. Follow the table on our Rugby League World Cup results page, and read our who will win predictions.
Samoa Rugby League World Cup 2026 Results
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Samoa v France | 16 October, to be played |
| PNG v Samoa | 24 October, to be played |
| Tonga v Samoa | 1 November, to be played |
Samoa Rugby League World Cup Tickets
Tickets start from $19 AUD, and Ticketmaster is the only authorised seller. At CommBank Stadium, Samoa fans have dedicated supporter bays in Sections 104 and 105.
See our tickets guide to buy safely. Flying in from Samoa or New Zealand? An Australia eSIM from Airalo keeps your phone working from the moment you land.
Samoa Rugby League Next Game: FAQ
When do Samoa play next?
Samoa play France on Friday 16 October 2026 at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, kicking off at 7:45pm Samoa time (5:45pm Sydney).
Who do Samoa play at the Rugby League World Cup 2026?
France on 16 October, Papua New Guinea on 24 October and Tonga on 1 November.
What time is Samoa vs France in Samoa?
7:45pm Samoa time on Friday 16 October, which is 5:45pm in Sydney and 7:45am in the UK.
When do Samoa play Tonga at the World Cup?
Tonga v Samoa is on Sunday 1 November 2026 at CommBank Stadium, kicking off at 10:05pm Samoa time (8:05pm Sydney).
Who is Samoa’s rugby league captain?
Junior Paulo captains Toa Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup 2026, under coach Ben Gardiner.
Conclusion
Samoa’s World Cup starts against France in Parramatta on 16 October, then PNG in Port Moresby and Tonga on 1 November.
Bookmark this page, because we update the next game, team news and results after every match.
Sizing up the rivals? See the Mate Ma'a Tonga squad, and for official news visit rlwc2026.com.
Samoa Schedule Updates
- 10 October 2026: Page published with Samoa’s three pool fixtures, kick-off times and team news.
