PNG vs Samoa Rugby League World Cup 2026
Can the Kumuls beat the 2022 World Cup finalists in front of their own fans, or will Samoa silence Port Moresby?
The last time these two met at a World Cup, in 2013, Samoa won 38-4 in Hull.
PNG vs Samoa is on Saturday 24 October 2026 at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, kicking off at 2:25pm local time (3:25pm Sydney, 5:25pm Samoa, 5:25am UK).
It’s Round 2 of the combined Pools B and C, and PNG’s second home game in a row.
Below, you’ll find the kick-off time in every country, both teams, the head-to-head record, our prediction, the TV channels and tickets.
We’ll add both Round 2 team lists as soon as they’re named, any late changes on match day, and the result straight after full-time.
Quick Answer: PNG vs Samoa Rugby League World Cup 2026
- Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
- Kick-off: 2:25pm Port Moresby, 3:25pm Sydney, 5:25pm Samoa, 5:25am UK
- Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
- Last World Cup meeting: Samoa 38-4 PNG, 2013
- Double-header: Fiji vs PNG women plays first
- Watch: Seven and 7plus (Australia), Sky Sport (NZ), Premier Sports (UK)
What Time Is PNG vs Samoa?
PNG vs Samoa kicks off at 2:25pm Port Moresby time on Saturday 24 October.
| Where you are | Kick-off time |
|---|---|
| Port Moresby | 2:25pm Saturday |
| Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra | 3:25pm Saturday |
| Brisbane | 2:25pm Saturday |
| Samoa | 5:25pm Saturday |
| New Zealand | 5:25pm Saturday |
| UK | 5:25am Saturday |
Fans in Samoa get an early-evening kick-off, while it’s a very early start in the UK.
The PNG Orchids play Fiji at the same ground at 12:15pm.
PNG vs Samoa Team Lists
Round 2 teams haven’t been named yet. Coaches usually name their 17 on the Tuesday of match week, around 20 October.
| No. | PNG | Samoa |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morea Morea | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow |
| 2 | Robert Derby | Brian To’o |
| 3 | Zac Laybutt | Izack Tago |
| 4 | Nene Macdonald | Stephen Crichton |
| 5 | Dudley Dotoi | Deine Mariner |
| 6 | Gairo Voro | Chanel Harris-Tavita |
| 7 | Bailey Biondi-Odo | Jarome Luai |
| 8 | Valentine Richard | Francis Molo |
| 9 | Edwin Ipape | Benaiah Ioelu |
| 10 | Luca Moretti | Junior Paulo |
| 11 | Rhyse Martin | Connelly Lemuelu |
| 12 | Nixon Putt | Jermaine McEwen |
| 13 | Jack de Belin | Francis Manuleleua |
| 14 | Finley Glare | Jazz Tevaga |
| 15 | Liam Horne | Spencer Leniu |
| 16 | Epel Kapinias | Shawn Blore |
| 17 | Sylvester Namo | Sualauvi Fa’alogo |
Until then, here’s how PNG and Samoa lined up in Round 1, as published on NRL.com.
Expect a few changes on both sides, depending on Round 1 results and injuries.
See every side as soon as it’s named on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 team lists page.
PNG Players to Watch
Captain Rhyse Martin leads from the second row and kicks the goals.
Edwin Ipape at hooker is the key to PNG’s attack.
Jack de Belin and Luca Moretti add size and experience to the pack.
Samoa Players to Watch
Jarome Luai and Chanel Harris-Tavita run Samoa’s attack.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Brian To’o are among the fastest players in the tournament.
Captain Junior Paulo leads a big, powerful pack.
PNG vs Samoa Head to Head
Samoa have the edge in World Cup meetings between the two nations.
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | World Cup pool match, Hull | Samoa 38-4 PNG |
At the 2013 World Cup, Samoa beat PNG 38-4 in Hull to knock the Kumuls out.
That match was played in England, though. This time PNG have home advantage.
Port Moresby is one of the hardest places to visit in rugby league, which makes this a tough trip for Samoa.
PNG vs Samoa Prediction
Samoa start as favourites, with more NRL stars and a team that reached the last World Cup final.
But PNG’s home crowd is worth points, and the Kumuls will be fired up.
Our pick is Samoa by six to 12 points, in a close and physical game.
A PNG win would blow the race for the semi-finals wide open.
Where Is PNG vs Samoa Being Played?
The match is at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, PNG’s national stadium.
PNG won all three of their 2017 World Cup pool matches at this ground.
It holds around 15,000 fans, and the noise is famous across the sport.
Rugby league is PNG’s national sport, so expect a full house.
What Channel Is PNG vs Samoa On?
PNG vs Samoa is live in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports (subscription)
PNG’s local broadcaster for 2026 hasn’t been confirmed yet. We’ll add it here once it’s announced.
Following the Kumuls or Toa Samoa 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 Samoa Tickets
Tickets for the Port Moresby matches are sold by a local PNG ticket seller, not Ticketmaster.
Check official tournament channels for the local seller, and buy early, as home games sell fast.
For Samoa’s other matches in Sydney, tickets start from $19 AUD on Ticketmaster.
Travelling to Port Moresby? Pack a PNG eSIM from Airalo so your phone works from the moment you land.
PNG vs Samoa Result
The match hasn’t been played yet. It kicks off on Saturday 24 October.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| PNG v Samoa, 24 October 2026 | To be played |
We’ll add the score and a short match report straight after full-time.
Every score from the tournament also goes on our results page.
Match Updates
15 October 2026: Page published with kick-off times, Round 1 teams, the head-to-head record and our prediction.
Next update: both Round 2 team lists, expected around Tuesday 20 October.
After full-time on 24 October, we’ll add the score and a short match report.
PNG vs Samoa: FAQ
Here are quick answers to the questions fans ask most about PNG vs Samoa.
Each answer starts with the key fact, so you can find it fast.
For full details, see the sections above.
What time is PNG vs Samoa rugby league?
2:25pm Port Moresby time on Saturday 24 October 2026.
That’s 3:25pm in Sydney, 5:25pm in Samoa and 5:25am in the UK.
It’s Round 2 for both teams.
Where is PNG vs Samoa being played?
At Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
It’s a double-header with Fiji vs PNG in the women’s World Cup.
It’s PNG’s second home match of the tournament.
When did PNG and Samoa last meet at a World Cup?
At the 2013 World Cup in England.
Samoa won 38-4 in Hull.
It’s their first World Cup meeting in Port Moresby.
Who are the captains for PNG vs Samoa?
Rhyse Martin captains PNG.
Junior Paulo captains Samoa.
Both lead from the forwards.
Conclusion
PNG vs Samoa in Port Moresby on 24 October could be the loudest match of the tournament.
Samoa have the stars, but the Kumuls have the crowd and plenty of belief.
Bookmark this page for the team lists and the result.
Follow both teams on our PNG next game and Samoa next game pages, and visit rlwc2026.com for official news.
