PNG Orchids vs Fiji Bulikula Rugby League World Cup 2026
Can the Fiji Bulikula stun the PNG Orchids in front of a passionate home crowd in Port Moresby this Saturday?
PNG thrashed France 58-4 in Round 1, while Fiji pushed the Kiwi Ferns all the way before losing 18-12 in Newcastle.
Fiji beat PNG 40-4 at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday 24 October 2026, after leading 30-4 at half-time.
It’s the first game of a double-header, with the PNG Kumuls taking on Toa Samoa straight after in the men’s World Cup at 2:25pm.
Below, you’ll find kick-off times in every country, both squads, the head-to-head record, our prediction and every way to watch.
Fiji play France next, and PNG face New Zealand, both on the Gold Coast on Saturday 31 October.
Quick Answer: PNG Orchids vs Fiji Bulikula
- Score: Fiji 40-4 PNG (full-time)
- Player of the Match: Taina Naividi (Fiji)
- Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
- Kick-off: 12:15pm PNG, 1:15pm Sydney, 2:15pm Fiji, 3:15pm NZ, 3:15am UK
- Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
- Round 1: PNG 58-4 France; New Zealand 18-12 Fiji
- Head to head: Fiji won 28-0 when they met in 2019
- Watch: Seven and 7plus (Australia), Sky Sport (NZ), Premier Sports (UK), Digicel (PNG)
What Time Is PNG vs Fiji?
PNG vs Fiji kicks off at 12:15pm Port Moresby time on Saturday 24 October.
| Where you are | Kick-off time |
|---|---|
| Port Moresby | 12:15pm Saturday |
| Brisbane | 12:15pm Saturday |
| Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra | 1:15pm Saturday |
| Fiji | 2:15pm Saturday |
| New Zealand | 3:15pm Saturday |
| UK | 3:15am Saturday |
It’s a lunchtime kick-off in Port Moresby, and a Saturday afternoon game for fans watching in Fiji.
UK fans face an early 3:15am start, so the replay may be the better option.
The men’s game, PNG vs Samoa, follows at 2:25pm PNG time, so it’s a full afternoon of rugby league at the stadium in Port Moresby.
PNG vs Fiji Team Lists
Both 17s were named on Tuesday 20 October. Here’s how they line up, from the official NRL.com team lists.
| No. | PNG | Fiji |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anika Butler | Cassie Staples |
| 2 | Ivania Wong | Maria Paseka |
| 3 | Relna Wuruki-Hosea | Isabella Waterman |
| 4 | Tia Molo | Taina Naividi |
| 5 | Naomi Kelly | Sienna Laing |
| 6 | Fleur Ginn | Luisa Yaranamua |
| 7 | Cynthiah Peters | Losana Lutu |
| 8 | Elsie Albert (c) | Latisha Smythe |
| 9 | Ua Ravu | Sereana Naitokatoka |
| 10 | Jafinda Sap | Leilani Ahsam |
| 11 | Vanesa Nakas | Elizabeth Naleba |
| 12 | Shellie Long | Nanise Vakacavu (wears 17) |
| 13 | Emily Veivers | Talei Holmes |
| 14 | Therese Aiton | Tahlia Marshall |
| 15 | Essay Banu | Teaghan Hartigan |
| 16 | Jenny David | Lorren Ieli |
| 17 | India Seeto | Naomi Tegu (wears 18) |
PNG start Anika Butler at fullback, with Fleur Ginn and Cynthiah Peters in the halves and Ua Ravu at hooker.
Fiji make one change. Nanise Vakacavu starts in the back row in the No.17 jersey, replacing Tamika Jones (shoulder).
Cassie Staples stays at fullback for Fiji, with Luisa Yaranamua and Losana Lutu in the halves and Sereana Naitokatoka at hooker.
See every player on our PNG Orchids World Cup squad and Fiji Bulikula World Cup squad pages.
PNG vs Fiji Head to Head
These Pacific rivals have little Test history. Their best-known meeting came in 2019, when Fiji won 28-0 at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.
That was the Bulikula’s first ever international win, in their very first Test match.
PNG have more World Cup experience. The Orchids reached the semi-finals in 2022, while this is Fiji’s first Women’s World Cup.
Form favours PNG after an 11-try win over France, but Fiji led the Kiwi Ferns 12-4 midway through the first half in Round 1.
PNG vs Fiji Prediction
PNG start as favourites, with home support and the confidence of a 58-4 win in their opener.
But Fiji showed against New Zealand that they can trouble anyone, with 10 NRLW players in their squad.
Our pick is PNG by 6 to 12 points, in a tight and physical Pacific derby.
A PNG win would put them in a strong position for the semi-finals, while Fiji need a win to keep their own hopes alive.
Where Is PNG vs Fiji Being Played?
The match is at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, the home of big rugby league Tests in PNG.
PNG’s Round 1 double-header there drew a crowd of 11,624, as the Orchids beat France and the Kumuls beat Lebanon.
Officially, the fixture is listed as Fiji v PNG, but the Orchids will have the home crowd behind them.
Saturday is another double-header, with the Kumuls playing Toa Samoa after the women’s game, so expect a big crowd.
What Channel Is PNG vs Fiji On?
In Australia, PNG vs Fiji is free on the Seven Network and 7plus.
In New Zealand, it’s on Sky Sport, and in the UK and Ireland it’s live on Premier Sports. In PNG, Digicel is the local broadcaster.
Following from abroad? A VPN like NordVPN keeps your home streaming account working and protects you on public Wi-Fi. (We may earn a commission.)
For other countries, see our how to watch the Rugby League World Cup guide.
PNG vs Fiji Live Stream
PNG vs Fiji was streamed live from Port Moresby on Saturday 24 October, and the full replay is now available.
In Australia, you can watch the replay on the 7plus app. In New Zealand, it’s on Sky Sport Now.
UK and Ireland fans can catch the replay on Premier Player.
In other countries, WatchNRL has full replays in many regions. Skip the replay links on social media, as many are scams.
PNG vs Fiji Tickets
Tickets for the Port Moresby double-header are sold locally in PNG, not through Ticketmaster Australia.
Check the official rlwc2026.com site for PNG ticket outlets and the latest information.
Following the Orchids or the Bulikula to the Gold Coast? Their final group games on 31 October start from $19 AUD on Ticketmaster.
Flying to Australia for those games? An Australia eSIM from Airalo keeps your phone working from the moment you land.
PNG vs Fiji Score and Result
Fiji beat PNG 40-4 in Port Moresby on Saturday 24 October 2026.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| Fiji v PNG, 24 October 2026 | Fiji 40-4 PNG |
Sienna Laing scored early for Fiji before Ua Ravu hit back for PNG. Fiji then ran in five first-half tries to lead 30-4 at the break.
Taina Naividi, Losana Lutu and Tahlia Marshall also crossed, with Marshall finishing with a hat-trick. Fiji’s defence held PNG scoreless in the second half.
Taina Naividi was named Player of the Match. Read the NRL.com match report, and see every score on our results page.
PNG vs Fiji Latest Match Updates
24 October 2026: Full-time score and match report added.
22 October 2026: Both Round 2 team lists added. Fiji’s only change is Nanise Vakacavu for the injured Tamika Jones.
21 October 2026: Page published with kick-off times, both squads, the head-to-head record and our prediction.
Next up: Fiji play France and PNG play New Zealand, both on the Gold Coast on Saturday 31 October.
The top two in Group B reach the semi-finals, which are played on 7 and 8 November.
PNG vs Fiji: FAQ
Here are quick answers to the questions fans ask most about this match.
Each answer starts with the key fact, so you can find it fast.
For full details, see the sections above.
What was the PNG vs Fiji score?
Fiji beat PNG 40-4 in Port Moresby on Saturday 24 October 2026.
Tahlia Marshall scored a hat-trick, and Taina Naividi was Player of the Match.
Hooker Ua Ravu scored PNG’s only try.
What time is PNG vs Fiji?
12:15pm PNG time on Saturday 24 October 2026.
That’s 1:15pm in Sydney and 3:15pm in New Zealand.
It’s at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
What time is PNG vs Fiji in Fiji?
2:15pm Fiji time on Saturday 24 October 2026.
The match is played in Port Moresby.
It’s the first game of a double-header.
Have Fiji ever beaten PNG in women’s rugby league?
Yes. Fiji beat PNG 28-0 at Leichhardt Oval in 2019.
It was the Bulikula’s first ever Test.
This is Fiji’s first Women’s World Cup.
What channel is PNG vs Fiji on?
Seven and 7plus show it free in Australia.
Sky Sport has it in New Zealand, and Premier Sports in the UK.
Digicel is the broadcaster in PNG.
Conclusion
Fiji won the Pacific derby 40-4 in Port Moresby on 24 October, a big step towards the semi-finals.
The Bulikula led 30-4 at half-time and kept PNG scoreless after the break, with Tahlia Marshall scoring a hat-trick.
Fiji now play France, while PNG must beat New Zealand on 31 October to stay alive.
Bookmark this page for late changes and the score, and see every game in our Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 guide.
