Rugby League World Cup 2026 News: Latest Updates

Did you know the Rugby League World Cup 2026 opener drew a record crowd of 41,255 to Allianz Stadium in Sydney?

It was a night of big moments, big injuries and a debut hat-trick, and the World Cup news hasn’t stopped since.

The biggest Rugby League World Cup news today: Mitch Moses is out of Australia’s game with the Cook Islands, and Julia Robinson misses the Jillaroos’ game with Wales.

Round 3 starts on Friday 30 October, with England v Samoa (women) and England v PNG in Wollongong.

Below, you’ll find the latest injury news, team news, results and what the new format means for every team.

We update this page every day of the tournament, with the newest stories at the top and links to the full details.

Latest Rugby League World Cup News

Australia booked a semi-final spot by beating Fiji 36-22 in Brisbane, while New Zealand beat the Cook Islands 82-16 in Christchurch.

Round 3 decides the semi-finals. New Zealand must beat Fiji, while Samoa, Tonga, England and PNG all still have a path, NRL.com explains.

In the women’s game, Samoa play England in Wollongong on Friday for the last Pool A semi-final spot. The winner goes through.

See every score so far on our Rugby League World Cup results page.

Rugby League World Cup Injury News

Mitch Moses has been ruled out of Australia’s game with the Cook Islands, so Ethan Strange makes his Test debut off the bench, NRL.com reported.

Julia Robinson (wrist) misses the Jillaroos’ game with Wales, and England’s Eva Hunter (leg) is out against Samoa, NRL.com reported.

Lebanon’s Khaled Rajab is out for the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury. France’s Latrell Siegwalt (shoulder) misses Sunday’s game.

For every player ruled out of the tournament, see our Rugby League World Cup 2026 injury list.

England vs France Result: Record Win in Perth

England led 36-0 at half-time at HBF Park and kept France scoreless all game.

Herbie Farnworth scored a first-half hat-trick, and Dom Young also finished with three tries.

AJ Brimson was Player of the Match, with three try assists and a try, NRL.com reported.

England play PNG in their final pool match, while France face Lebanon on Sunday 1 November.

See the score, team lists and talking points on our England vs France page.

Rugby League World Cup Team News

Reece Walsh, Cameron Munster, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin return for Australia against the Cook Islands in Townsville, with Tom Dearden at No.7.

Morgan Knowles is back from a calf injury for England against PNG, and Jez Litten comes in at hooker.

Fiji’s Mitchell Prest serves a one-match ban for a high tackle, so Emosi Ravosai comes in against New Zealand, NRL.com reported.

Isaiya Katoa is back from an ankle injury for Tonga’s big game against Samoa in Sydney on Sunday night.

See the latest sides on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 team lists page.

How Does the Rugby League World Cup 2026 Format Work?

This World Cup uses a new format, so one loss can be costly.

England, Samoa and Lebanon each play Tonga, France and PNG. All six teams then sit on one ladder, and only the top two reach the semi-finals.

Head-to-head results decide ties first, then points difference, NRL.com explains. That’s why England’s 30-12 loss to Tonga hurts so much.

The Tonga vs Samoa game on 1 November is already sold out. See how the knockouts work on our Rugby League World Cup semi-final page.

Rugby League World Cup News Updates

29 October 2026: Added Round 2 results, Round 3 team news, Mitch Moses and Julia Robinson injury news and Mitchell Prest’s ban.

24 October 2026 (evening): Added England 82-0 France, Jillaroos 78-0 England, Samoa 64-6 PNG and Julia Robinson’s wrist injury.

23 October 2026 (evening): Added Tonga 36-0 Lebanon, Samoa Women’s record 76-0 win over Wales and Isaiya Katoa’s ankle update.

We add new stories every day until the final in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November, so bookmark this page and check back daily for the latest Rugby League World Cup news.

Rugby League World Cup News: FAQ

Here are quick answers to the questions fans ask most about the latest World Cup news.

Each answer starts with the key fact, so you can find it fast.

For full details, see the sections above.

What is the latest Rugby League World Cup news?

Mitch Moses has been ruled out of Australia’s last pool game against the Cook Islands, and Ethan Strange makes his Test debut.

Australia are already through to the semi-finals after beating Fiji 36-22 in Brisbane.

Round 3 starts on Friday 30 October, with England v PNG in Wollongong that night.

Is Julia Robinson injured?

Yes. Robinson hurt her wrist against England on 24 October and misses the Jillaroos’ game with Wales.

Sheridan Gallagher has joined the Australia squad in her place.

Jessica Sergis returns in the centres for the game at CommBank Stadium on Sunday 1 November.

Is Kalyn Ponga injured?

Yes. Ponga broke his arm late in New Zealand’s 24-22 loss to Australia on 15 October.

He has had surgery and is staying in camp with the Kiwis.

New Zealand play Fiji on the Gold Coast on Saturday 31 October and need a win to reach the semi-finals.

Conclusion

The Rugby League World Cup 2026 is off to a dramatic start, with a record crowd and a 24-22 thriller in Sydney.

Kalyn Ponga and Mitch Moses are the big injury worries, while Jack Bostock is the first star of the tournament.

With a new format where one loss can end a campaign, every Round 2 game next weekend matters.

Bookmark this page and check back every day for the latest team news, injuries and results.