Tonga will open their 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign against England on Saturday, with Pacific teams preparing for a busy opening weekend across the men’s and women’s competitions.
Jason Taumalolo will lead a powerful Tonga side at HBF Park in Perth, with the match kicking off at 8.05pm Tonga time.
The squad includes Addin Fonua-Blake, Isaiya Katoa, Haumole Olakau’atu and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, alongside young Roosters premiership winner Robert Toia.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has also included Salesi Foketi, who is among the players expected to bring fresh energy to the side.
England will counter with a line-up featuring Herbie Farnworth, Dom Young, AJ Brimson, Victor Radley and Morgan Knowles.
The match is one of the opening weekend’s major contests, with Tonga looking to make a strong start to their campaign.
Pacific teams begin their campaigns
Toa Samoa will be the first Pacific men’s team in action, facing France at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Friday at 7.45pm Tonga time.
Samoa coach Ben Gardiner said his squad combined experience and youth, describing the tournament as an opportunity to showcase the team’s development since the previous World Cup.
Papua New Guinea’s Kumuls will play Lebanon at home in Port Moresby on Saturday at 4.25pm Tonga time. Veteran Rhyse Martin will lead the side, with coach Jason Demetriou looking to make the most of home support.
Fiji and the Cook Islands meet in Newcastle on Sunday at 6.05am Tonga time. Fiji captain Api Koroisau will be central to the Bati’s campaign, while Cook Islands captain KL Iro will lead a side featuring Esan Marsters.
Women’s teams also in action
Fetu Samoa begin their campaign against Australia on Friday at 10.05pm Tonga time. The match marks Samoa’s return to the Women’s Rugby League World Cup for the first time since 2008.
Papua New Guinea’s Orchids will face France in Port Moresby on Saturday at 3.15pm Tonga time, with captain Elsie Albert leading the home side.
Fiji Bulikula make their World Cup debut against New Zealand’s Kiwi Ferns in Newcastle on Sunday at 3.50pm Tonga time.
Fiji coach Jone Wesele said team unity would be central to the side’s campaign as it seeks to compete for a place in the top two of its pool.
The opening round runs from 15 to 18 October, with the men’s and women’s tournaments bringing Pacific teams into competition against some of the world’s strongest rugby league nations.
