Tonga Rugby League Next Game: Rugby League World Cup 2026 Fixtures
When do Tonga play next at the Rugby League World Cup 2026, and what time does it start in Nuku’alofa?
Mate Ma’a Tonga have one of the strongest forward packs at the tournament, and all three of their group games kick off late at night back home.
Tonga’s next game is against England on Saturday 17 October 2026 at HBF Park in Perth, kicking off at 10:05pm Tonga time (5:05pm Perth, 10:05am UK).
After that, Tonga play Lebanon on 23 October and Samoa on 1 November, both at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
Below, you’ll find every Tonga fixture in Tonga, Sydney and UK time, the TV channels, the final 23 and the race for the semi-finals.
We update this page after every match, so it always shows Tonga’s next game and latest result first.
Quick Answer: Tonga Rugby League Next Game
- Next game: England v Tonga, Saturday 17 October 2026
- Kick-off: 10:05pm Tonga time (5:05pm Perth, 8:05pm Sydney, 10:05am UK)
- Venue: HBF Park, Perth
- Watch: Seven and 7plus (Australia), Sky Sport (NZ), Premier Sports (UK)
- Opponents: England, Lebanon and Samoa
- Last updated: 11 October 2026
When Is Tonga’s Next Game?
Tonga open their Rugby League World Cup 2026 campaign against England on Saturday 17 October, at HBF Park in Perth.
It’s a double-header, with England Women playing Wales at the same stadium before the men’s match.
Tonga Rugby League World Cup 2026 Fixtures
| Date | Match | Venue | Tonga time | Sydney | UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 Oct | England v Tonga | HBF Park, Perth | 10:05pm | 8:05pm | 10:05am |
| Fri 23 Oct | Tonga v Lebanon | CommBank Stadium, Parramatta | 10:05pm | 8:05pm | 10:05am |
| 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 England vs Tonga?
England vs Tonga kicks off at 5:05pm Perth time on Saturday 17 October. That’s 10:05pm in Tonga and New Zealand, 8:05pm in Sydney and 10:05am in the UK.
See England’s fixtures and team news on our England next game page.
What Channel Is Tonga Rugby League On?
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports (subscription)
Travelling to Perth or Sydney to follow Tonga? 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 guide to watching the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Tonga Team List v England
Tonga’s team for the opener was named on Tuesday 13 October. Here’s the official 17, as published on NRL.com.
| No. | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lehi Hopoate | Fullback |
| 2 | Dallin Watene-Zelezniak | Wing |
| 3 | Tolutau Koula | Centre |
| 4 | Robert Toia | Centre |
| 5 | Jojo Fifita | Wing |
| 6 | Latu Fainu | Five-eighth |
| 7 | Isaiya Katoa | Halfback |
| 8 | Addin Fonua-Blake | Prop |
| 9 | Soni Luke | Hooker |
| 10 | Jason Taumalolo | Prop |
| 11 | Haumole Olakau’atu | Second row |
| 12 | Siua Wong | Second row |
| 13 | Tyson Frizell | Lock |
| 14 | Salesi Foketi | Bench |
| 15 | Stefano Utoikamanu | Bench |
| 16 | Demitric Vaimauga | Bench |
| 17 | Leka Halasima | Bench |
Coaches can still make late changes, so the final 17 is confirmed shortly before kick-off.
See England’s team, and every other Round 1 side, on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 team lists page.
Tonga Team 2026: The Big Selection Calls
Isaiya Katoa runs the attack at halfback, with Latu Fainu at five-eighth.
Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake start up front, with Soni Luke at hooker.
Junior Amone is not in the 17, and Lehi Hopoate starts at fullback.
Roosters trio Robert Toia, Siua Wong and Salesi Foketi are all in the team.
Tonga Rugby League World Cup 2026 Squad
Kristian Woolf confirmed his final 23 after cutting Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika, and halfback Junior Amone has been cleared to play.
See every player on our Mate Ma’a Tonga squad page, and check the injury list before each round.
Can Tonga Reach the Rugby League World Cup 2026 Final?
Tonga are in Pool C, but they play the three Pool B teams: England, Lebanon and Samoa. The top two in the combined Pools B and C table reach the semi-finals.
The Samoa match on 1 November could decide a semi-final place. Follow the table on our Rugby League World Cup results page, and read our who will win predictions.
When Do Tonga Play Samoa?
Tonga and Samoa meet on Sunday 1 November at CommBank Stadium, 10:05pm Tonga time. It’s the biggest Pacific rivalry in the sport.
At the last World Cup, Samoa won their 2022 quarter-final 20-18. Before kick-off, look out for the Sipi Tau and Siva Tau, explained in our Rugby League World Cup haka guide.
Tonga Rugby League World Cup 2026 Results
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| England v Tonga | 17 October, to be played |
| Tonga v Lebanon | 23 October, to be played |
| Tonga v Samoa | 1 November, to be played |
Tonga Rugby League World Cup Tickets
Tickets start from $19 AUD, and Ticketmaster is the only authorised seller. Tonga v Samoa is expected to be one of the hottest tickets of the group stage.
See our tickets guide to buy safely. Flying in for the games? An Australia eSIM from Airalo keeps your phone working from the moment you land.
Tonga Rugby League Next Game: FAQ
When do Tonga play next?
Tonga play England on Saturday 17 October 2026 at HBF Park in Perth, kicking off at 10:05pm Tonga time (5:05pm Perth).
Who do Tonga play at the Rugby League World Cup 2026?
England on 17 October, Lebanon on 23 October and Samoa on 1 November.
What time is England vs Tonga in Tonga?
10:05pm Tonga time on Saturday 17 October, which is 5:05pm in Perth and 10:05am in the UK.
When do Tonga play Samoa at the World Cup?
Tonga v Samoa is on Sunday 1 November 2026 at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, kicking off at 10:05pm Tonga time (8:05pm Sydney).
Who is Tonga’s rugby league coach?
Kristian Woolf coaches Mate Ma’a Tonga. He also led Tonga to the 2017 World Cup semi-finals.
Conclusion
Tonga’s World Cup starts against England in Perth on 17 October, then Lebanon and Samoa in Parramatta.
Bookmark this page, because we update the next game, team news and results after every match.
Following their rivals? See our Samoa next game page, and visit rlwc2026.com for official news.
Tonga Schedule Updates
- 11 October 2026: Page published with Tonga’s three pool fixtures, kick-off times, the final 23 and team news.
