New Zealand vs Fiji Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup | Pool Stage
by Alex Sarwar ·
Updated
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A winner-take-all Pool A encounter is on deck as New Zealand and Fiji meet for the right to join Australia in the knockout stage.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – Premier Player
Tickets: Visit this link to access the latest 2026 Rugby League World Cup tickets
New Zealand team news: Rested players return
New Zealand welcome back the likes of Dane Gagai, Isaiah Papali'i and Moses Leota, while Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith are withdrawn from the squad. Kalyn Ponga remains out injured.
Squad: Keano Kini, Jamayne Isaako, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris, Jeremy Marshall-King, Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali'i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine, Te Maire Martin, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Scott Sorensen, Leo Thompson
Fiji team news: Bentley-Hape and Prest won’t feature
Fiji are without a couple of players for this game, specifically Bayley Bentley-Hape, who is out through injury along with the suspended Mitchell Prest. The latter will be replaced by Emosi Ravosai.
Squad: Sunia Turuva, Ronald Philitoga, Waqa Blake, Solomone Saukuru, Semi Valemei, Kurt Donoghoe, Brandon Wakeham, Jacob Saifiti, Apisai Koroisau, Emosi Ravosai, Taane Milne, Kitione Kautoga, Caleb Navale, Josese Lanyon, Elijah Keung, Jordan Miller, Joseph Litidamu, Jordin Leiu, Apenisa Driti, Zion Johnson
Which of these two teams will come out on top and go through to the semi-finals?
Open poll and resultsNew Zealand vs Fiji prediction
New Zealand rightly begin as favourites against Fiji, but the latter stood up well to a stiff test against a much-changed Australia side, only losing by 14 points. That shows that Fiji are not just going to make up the numbers here with the ultimate prize of a place in the semi-finals on offer for the Bati. Therefore, expect a fiercely contested affair between these two sides.
However, when you compare both squads in terms of natural ability, New Zealand have the edge. Even without Kalyn Ponga, the Kiwis remain absolutely stacked with explosive power and are extremely well coached. They are likely to come out of the traps flying here and it’s hard to see Fiji being able to keep them tied down early on. Assuming New Zealand grab an early lead, it would be no surprise to see them hold it throughout the entire game.
New Zealand vs Fiji tip: New Zealand HT/FT
