Rugby League World Cup 2026: Results and Schedule

Exciting Week One of the Rugby League World Cup

The opening week of the Rugby League World Cup 2026 has showcased a plethora of thrilling matches in both the men's and women's tournaments. The Kangaroos narrowly triumphed over New Zealand in a close match, finishing with a score of 24-22. In a more dominant display, the Jillaroos secured a resounding 40-0 victory against Samoa, leaving fans eager for the next round of competition.

First Round Match Results

The men's tournament kicked off at Allianz Stadium before a sold-out crowd, with the intense match between Australia and New Zealand captivating fans. Notable players like Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock, and Kalyn Ponga left their mark on the game, which ended in a nail-biting finish.

"You can’t wipe the smiles off our faces. This is what you want regardless of who you support this time," expressed Mel McLaughlin, Channel 7 presenter.

In other noteworthy matches, Samoa astounded with a staggering 78-4 victory over France, featuring 11 different players scoring tries. Tonga managed to defeat England with a score of 30-12, while Papua New Guinea overcame Lebanon with a 42-18 result. Fiji also performed well against the Cook Islands, winning 40-12. These outcomes positioned Fiji in the lead of Pool A at the end of the first week.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck remarked on Tonga's match against England, saying, "This is the passion, the emotion and commitment of a World Cup. This is what we want to see – players turning up for their team and their nation."

Women's Tournament Highlights

The women's matches were equally thrilling, with Australia overpowering Samoa 40-0, marked by a strong debut from Jocelyn Kelleher. England also shone, defeating Wales with an impressive 70-6 scoreline. Isabel Rowe scored 26 points in the game, tying the record for the most points scored by an England woman in an international match. Papua New Guinea continued their strong performance with a 58-4 victory against France. New Zealand faced a tough challenge from World Cup newcomers Fiji but managed to rally from a 12-4 deficit, eventually securing an 18-12 victory aided by a crucial penalty from Zahara Temara and a decisive try from Leianne Tufuga.

Upcoming Broadcast Schedule on Channel 7

As we look ahead to week two from October 23 to 25, Channel 7 has confirmed the match times for viewers across Australia. This scheduling is especially significant for those living outside major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, where match start times may vary.

The action kicks off on Friday with Samoa taking on Wales in the women's tournament, followed by Tonga versus Lebanon in the men’s competition. Saturday's lineup includes the much-anticipated match between the Jillaroos and England. Finally, Sunday will feature a double-header for New Zealand, culminating in the match between the Kangaroos and Fiji at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

All times listed are local to the respective cities: Sydney and Melbourne operate on AEDT, Brisbane follows AEST, Adelaide is on ACDT, and Perth uses AWST. Note that some matches will initially air on 7mate before transitioning to Channel 7.

Match Times by City

Friday: Samoa vs. Wales, Tonga vs. Lebanon
Saturday: Jillaroos vs. England
Sunday: Kangaroos vs. Fiji

Match Commentary Team

The coverage will be hosted by Mel McLaughlin, Matt White, and Matt Shirvington, along with analysts such as Corey Parker and others. For Friday's matchups, the commentary team will include Andrew Voss, Luke Keary, and more. Viewers can expect insightful analysis and thrilling commentary throughout the matches.

Don't miss any of the action by tuning into Channel 7 and streaming live on 7plus. For more details on the matches and replays, visit the public 7plus Rugby League World Cup page.