Australia vs Fiji Rugby League World Cup 2026: How to Watch, Live Streams, Team Line-Ups and Match Preview

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup roadshow moves to Brisbane this weekend as tournament co-hosts and reigning champions Australia prepare to face Fiji in their second pool match at Suncorp Stadium. While the Kangaroos enter the fixture as overwhelming favorites, the encounter carries distinct significance for both sides as they navigate the group stages of rugby league’s premier international competition.

For Australia, the match offers an opportunity to refine their combinations and integrate fresh talent following a bruising opening encounter. For Fiji, the fixture represents a strategic challenge amidst a demanding pool schedule, with their ultimate qualification hopes heavily anchored on their impending clash against New Zealand.

Tournament Context and Opening Weekend Drama

The reigning champion Kangaroos commenced their title defense under immense pressure during the tournament’s opening weekend. Facing an exceptionally polished and determined New Zealand side, Australia was forced to dig deep into its tactical repertoire. The New Zealand team controlled the tempo and scoreboard for the majority of the contest, leaving the tournament co-hosts trailing late into the second half.

Ultimately, Australia’s championship pedigree and resilience shone through, securing a narrow and hard-fought 24-22 victory. Rugby league analysts have widely regarded that fixture as the most demanding physical and psychological hurdle the Kangaroos will face throughout the entirety of the pool stages. Having survived that early scare, the squad heads north to Brisbane with expectations of a more commanding performance against Pacific rivals Fiji.

Conversely, Fiji enjoyed a comparatively straightforward start to their World Cup campaign. The Bati cruised to a comfortable 40-12 victory over the Cook Islands on the opening weekend, showcasing an explosive attacking style and defensive grit. However, Fijian coaching staff and pundits are acutely aware that their tournament progression will likely hinge on their final pool fixture against New Zealand. Consequently, the match against Australia presents a high-stakes environment with minimal external pressure, allowing the squad to test themselves against the world’s benchmark nation.

Squad Selection and Tactical Adjustments

Team boss Kevin Walters has opted to leverage the extraordinary depth of his Australian squad for this second outing. The most notable inclusion is the return of inspirational captain James Tedesco, who slots back into his customary full-back position to organize the defensive line and inject pace into the attacking structures.

In addition to the skipper’s return, Walters has injected fresh energy into the side by handing international debuts to three rising stars of the sport: Bradman Best, Sam Walker, and Blayke Brailey. These selections reflect a calculated strategy to manage player fatigue across a grueling tournament schedule while testing emerging combinations at the highest level of international competition.

Fiji, meanwhile, has taken a pragmatic approach to team selection. Buoyed by their dominant opening-round win, the coaching staff has named an unchanged starting line-up, placing faith in the combinations that dismantled the Cook Islands. Led on the field by captain and seasoned hooker Apisai Koroisau, the Fijian side boasts a formidable spine capable of exploiting any defensive lapses from the opposition.

Match Key Information and Scheduling

For international supporters and local fans wishing to track the action, the fixture details have been confirmed as follows:

• Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026
• Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia
• Kick-off Times:
  • GMT: 9:05 AM
  • AEDT (Sydney/Brisbane): 8:05 PM
  • NZDT (New Zealand): 10:05 PM
  • EDT (Eastern US): 5:05 AM
  • PDT (Pacific US): 2:05 AM

Broadcast and Streaming Options

Access to live coverage of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup varies by region, with dedicated broadcasters securing rights across major rugby league territories.

In Australia, the tournament is being broadcast free-to-air. Fans can access live streams of the Australia v Fiji match through the Seven Network and its digital streaming platform, 7plus. Viewers simply need to register a valid email address to set up a free account. Australian residents traveling overseas during the match window can utilize virtual private network (VPN) services—such as NordVPN—to access their domestic streaming subscriptions securely from abroad.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Premier Sports holds exclusive broadcasting rights for every fixture of the Rugby League World Cup. UK viewers can subscribe to Premier Sports via rolling monthly contracts, annual plans, or through television platforms including Sky Q, Amazon Prime Video, STV Player, and Virgin Media. In Ireland, subscribers can integrate Premier Sports via the Sports Extra pack on Sky Sports, Now Sports Extra memberships, or through Virgin Media.

In the United States, coverage is provided via Premier Sports through a dedicated RLWC26 Pass, granting access across the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair tournaments. Furthermore, Premier Sports holds broadcast rights across more than 120 countries globally, ensuring widespread international visibility for the tournament.

Official Team Line-Ups

Australia Starting XIII:

1. James Tedesco (Captain)
2. Jack Bostock
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Bradman Best
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. Tom Dearden
7. Sam Walker
8. Kaeon Koloamatangi
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Lindsay Smith
11. David Fifita
12. Reuben Cotter
13. Cameron Murray

Australia Interchange and Extended Squad:

14. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
15. Jacob Preston
16. Patrick Corrigan
17. Cameron Munster
18. Reece Walsh
19. Latrell Mitchell

Fiji Starting XIII:

1. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Waqa Blake
4. Solomone Saukuru
5. Semi Valemei
6. Kurt Donoghoe
7. Brandon Wakeham
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Apisai Koroisau (Captain)
10. Mitchell Prest
11. Taane Milne
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Caleb Navale

Fiji Interchange and Extended Squad:

14. Josese Lanyon
15. Emosi Ravosai
16. Elijah Keung
17. Ronald Philitoga
18. Jordin Leiu
19. Apenisa Driti

Match Officials

The high-profile fixture will be overseen by an experienced officiating panel. Gerard Sutton has been appointed as the match referee, supported by touch judges Nick Pelgrave and Michael Wise. The senior review official responsible for bunker decisions will be Chris Butler.

Broader Implications and Tournament Outlook

As the tournament progresses past the opening round, the outcome of the Australia-Fiji match will heavily influence the psychological momentum of the pool stage. For Australia, a comprehensive victory in front of a partisan Suncorp Stadium crowd will reaffirm their status as the tournament gold standard and dispel any lingering doubts stemming from their narrow escape against New Zealand.

For Fiji, the primary objective will be minimizing structural damage, avoiding key injuries, and building tactical cohesion ahead of their decisive encounter against the Kiwis. With the knockout stages looming on the horizon, every minute of gameplay in Brisbane serves as a critical stepping stone in the global battle for rugby league supremacy.