Tonga vs Samoa Rugby League World Cup 2026
Is there a bigger rivalry in Pacific rugby league than Tonga vs Samoa, and when do they meet at this World Cup?
The two nations have met 23 times in Tests, and their last World Cup meeting, a 2022 quarter-final, was settled by just two points.
Tonga vs Samoa is on Sunday 1 November 2026 at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, kicking off at 8:05pm Sydney time (10:05pm in Tonga and Samoa, 9:05am UK).
It’s the last group match for both teams, so it could decide who reaches the semi-finals. Western Sydney will be a sea of red and blue.
Below, you’ll find the kick-off time in every country, the head-to-head record, team news, our prediction and tickets.
We’ll add both team lists in match week and the result straight after full-time, so everything is in one place.
Quick Answer: Tonga vs Samoa Rugby League World Cup 2026
- Date: Sunday 1 November 2026
- Kick-off: 8:05pm Sydney, 10:05pm Tonga and Samoa, 9:05am UK
- Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, Sydney
- Head to head: 23 Tests, Samoa 12 wins, Tonga 10, one draw
- Last meeting: Samoa 34-6 Tonga, Pacific Cup, October 2025
- Watch: Seven and 7plus (Australia), Sky Sport (NZ), Premier Sports (UK)
What Time Is Tonga vs Samoa?
Tonga vs Samoa kicks off at 8:05pm AEDT on Sunday 1 November. Some fans search it as Samoa vs Tonga.
| Where you are | Kick-off time |
|---|---|
| Tonga and Samoa | 10:05pm Sunday |
| New Zealand | 10:05pm Sunday |
| Sydney (stadium time) | 8:05pm Sunday |
| Brisbane | 7:05pm Sunday |
| UK | 9:05am Sunday |
Fans in Nuku’alofa and Apia get a late-night kick-off, so plan for a long night.
For every other match, see our Rugby League World Cup 2026 kick-off times guide.
Could Tonga vs Samoa Decide a Semi-Final Place?
Very likely. Tonga and Samoa both play in the crossover format, where the six teams from Pools B and C share one table.
Only the top two in that table reach the semi-finals.
With England also in the mix, this match could be a straight shoot-out for a semi-final spot.
Follow the live table on our Rugby League World Cup results page.
Tonga vs Samoa Head to Head
Samoa lead the Test head-to-head, with 12 wins to Tonga’s 10 and one draw from 23 meetings since 1986.
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Pacific Cup, Lang Park, Brisbane | Samoa 34-6 Tonga |
| 2022 | World Cup quarter-final, Warrington | Samoa 20-18 Tonga |
The 2025 game drew 44,682 fans to Brisbane, the biggest crowd in Australia for a Test without the Kangaroos since 1957.
It also survived a 95-minute lightning delay, before Samoa won comfortably to reach the Pacific Cup final.
Sipi Tau and Siva Tau Before Kick-Off
Before the 2022 quarter-final, Samoa’s Junior Paulo and Tonga’s Siliva Havili led their war dances at the same time.
It was a sign of respect between two proud nations, and the crowd loved it.
Expect another unforgettable moment in Parramatta before kick-off.
Read about both war dances in our Rugby League World Cup haka guide.
Tonga vs Samoa Team Lists
Both 17s will be named a couple of days before kick-off, around Friday 30 October.
We’ll add them here as soon as they’re announced.
See the full squads on our Mate Ma’a Tonga squad and Toa Samoa squad pages.
Tonga Players to Watch
Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake form one of the most powerful forward combinations in the game.
Halfback Isaiya Katoa runs Tonga’s attack and controls the kicking game.
Prop Moeaki Fotuaika was cut from the final 23, while Junior Amone was cleared to play.
Samoa Players to Watch
Jarome Luai and Brian To’o are former Penrith premiership team-mates and Samoa’s spark.
Stephen Crichton is Samoa’s record point-scorer and a reliable goal-kicker.
Payne Haas, Terrell May and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck are all missing from the squad.
Tonga vs Samoa Prediction
Samoa go in with form on their side, having won the last two meetings, including a 28-point win in 2025.
But Tonga’s forward pack is one of the best at the tournament, and Taumalolo missed that 2025 defeat.
Our early lean is Samoa by a converted try. We’ll update the pick after both teams’ first two matches.
For the bigger picture, see our Rugby League World Cup predictions.
Where Is Tonga vs Samoa Being Played?
The match is at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, Western Sydney, home to large Tongan and Samoan communities.
It’s the final game of a big day at the ground, after Lebanon v France at 5:50pm.
Parramatta station is a short walk from the stadium, so public transport is the easiest way in.
See every ground on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 venues page.
What Channel Is Tonga vs Samoa On?
The match 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)
In Australia, you can stream it free on 7plus with a free account.
Flying in for the match? 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.
Tonga vs Samoa Tickets
This is expected to be one of the hottest tickets of the group stage, so it’s worth buying early.
Tickets start from $19 AUD on Ticketmaster, the official seller. Samoa fans have supporter bays in Sections 104 and 105.
See our tickets guide for how to buy safely.
Flying in? An Australia eSIM from Airalo keeps you connected from the moment you land.
Tonga vs Samoa Result
The match hasn’t been played yet. It kicks off on Sunday 1 November.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| Tonga v Samoa, 1 November 2026 | To be played |
We’ll add the score and a short match report straight after full-time.
We’ll also update what the result means for the semi-final race.
Match Updates
12 October 2026: Page published with kick-off times, head-to-head record, team news and an early prediction.
Next update: both teams’ form after their first two World Cup matches.
Team lists will be added around Friday 30 October, and the result after full-time.
Tonga vs Samoa: FAQ
Here are quick answers to the questions fans ask most about Tonga vs Samoa.
Each answer starts with the key fact, so you can find it fast.
For full details, see the sections above.
When is Tonga vs Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup 2026?
Tonga play Samoa on Sunday 1 November 2026 at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
Kick-off is 8:05pm Sydney time.
It’s the last group match for both teams.
What time is Tonga vs Samoa in Tonga and Samoa?
10:05pm on Sunday 1 November in both Tonga and Samoa.
That’s 9:05am in the UK.
In New Zealand, it’s also 10:05pm.
Who has won more games, Tonga or Samoa?
Samoa lead the Test head-to-head with 12 wins to Tonga’s 10.
There has been one draw in 23 meetings.
Samoa have won the last two.
Who won the last Tonga vs Samoa match?
Samoa beat Tonga 34-6 in the Pacific Cup at Lang Park, Brisbane, in October 2025.
The crowd was 44,682.
The match survived a 95-minute lightning delay.
Conclusion
Tonga vs Samoa on 1 November is the biggest Pacific clash of the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
It could decide a semi-final place, and it’s likely to be one of the loudest nights of the tournament.
Samoa have won the last two meetings, but Tonga’s pack makes this one too close to call.
Follow both teams on our Tonga next game and Samoa next game pages, and visit rlwc2026.com for official news.
