Australia vs Wales Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup | Pool Stage
by Alex Sarwar ·
Updated
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Australia will want to ensure they top their pool over Samoa, so expect them not to take this game against Wales lightly.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – Premier Player
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Australia team news: More tinkering
Australia rotate again for this final game of pool play, with Tiana Penitani Gray staying in the squad, but missing out through injury and Sheridan Gallagher expected make her debut after being called up late following Julia Robinson’s dislocated wrist.
Squad: Tamika Upton, Jaime Chapman, Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Abbi Church, Jesse Southwell, Tarryn Aiken, Ellie Johnston, Quincy Dodd, Makenzie Weale, Kezie Apps, Sariah Paki, Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Keilee Joseph, Sarah Togatuki, Tiana Penitani Gray, Shaylee Bent, Olivia Higgins, Millie Elliott, Jocelyn Kelleher, Sheridan Gallagher
Wales team news: One out, multiple in
Only Jasmine Gibbons has been left out of the squad who were beaten heavily by Samoa, with Carys Marsh expected to start for Wales rather than be in the bench as she was last time out.
Squad: Leanne Burnell, Zoe Heeley, Jade Mullen, Hannah Bluck, Sian Williams, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Carys Marsh, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton, Kathryn Salter, Erin Williams, Gracie Hobbs, Lucia Davies, Dani McGifford, Amberley Ruck, Frances Layton, Hollie Brussels, Katie Carr
Australia vs Wales prediction
Tournament hosts Australia remain very much the gold standard, having cruised into the semi-finals. Two commanding displays have brought two huge victories, with the Jillaroos yet to concede a single point, piling up 118 of their own against Samoa and England respectively. England fell victim to a dominant Australian display last weekend, with 11 players scoring at least one try.
Wales, meanwhile, were thrashed 76-0 by Samoa, and have now given up at least 70 points in each of their two pool fixtures, scoring just six themselves, so this is arguably the biggest mismatch of the entire tournament. Australia are still absolutely dominant and should beat Wales by a massive margin. Any other outcome just feels unrealistic.
Australia vs Wales tip: Australia to win with -97.5 handicap
