Rugby League World Cup 2026, Round 1, team lists, updates, Jillaroos, Kiwi Ferns

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 18 Oct 2026, 12:26 PM

New Zealand coach Ricky Henry has named a talent-laden squad for his side's clash with Fiji on Sunday afternoon.

Former Jillaroos Zahara Temara and Shannon Mato will make their Kiwi Ferns debuts, while Olympic gold medallist Stacey Waaka is also set for her maiden international rugby league appearance on the wing.

Temara will partner Dally M Halfback of the Year Raecene McGregor in the halves for New Zealand, with Georgia Hale to start at hooker.

Other Round 1 selection highlights include:

Roosters back-rower Jasmin Strange will make her international debut in an England side boasting multiple NRLW stars.
Bulldogs halfback Tayla Preston will wear the No.7 jersey for Wales in their clash with England.
Five-eighth Taliah Fuimaono will link up with Pauline Piliae-Rasabale in the halves for Samoa.
Isabella Waterman will line up at centre for Fiji with Roosters young gun Taina Naividi to join her in the centres.

Note: The Women's World Cup will be played under the same rules as the NRLW competition, with four players on the interchange and an 18th player.

Official squads, team lists and schedule for all Round 1 matches of the 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup.

Full tournament draw HERE
Get your tickets HERE

Australia v Samoa

Friday, October 16, 8.05pm AEDT at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 16 Oct

Full Time

Australia

Samoa

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Australia is number 1 Tamika Upton

Fullback for Samoa is number 1 Destiny Mino-Sinapati
Winger for Australia is number 2 Jaime Chapman

Winger for Samoa is number 2 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
Centre for Australia is number 3 Jessica Sergis

Centre for Samoa is number 3 Monica Tagoai
Centre for Australia is number 4 Isabelle Kelly

Centre for Samoa is number 4 Sarina Masaga
Winger for Australia is number 5 Julia Robinson

Winger for Samoa is number 5 Freedom Crichton Ropati
Five-Eighth for Australia is number 6 Jocelyn Kelleher

Five-Eighth for Samoa is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono
Halfback for Australia is number 7 Tarryn Aiken

Halfback for Samoa is number 7 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale

Forwards

Prop for Australia is number 8 Millie Elliott

Prop for Samoa is number 8 Annetta Nuuausala
Hooker for Australia is number 9 Olivia Higgins

Hooker for Samoa is number 9 Mary-Jane Taito
Prop for Australia is number 10 Simaima Taufa

Prop for Samoa is number 10 Laikha Clarke
2nd Row for Australia is number 11 Kezie Apps

2nd Row for Samoa is number 11 Evania Isa'ako
2nd Row for Australia is number 12 Shaylee Bent

2nd Row for Samoa is number 12 Ivana Lolesio
Lock for Australia is number 13 Olivia Kernick

Lock for Samoa is number 13 Leilani Wilson

Interchange

Interchange for Australia is number 14 Keeley Nizza

Interchange for Samoa is number 14 Evelyn Roberts
Interchange for Australia is number 15 Keilee Joseph

Interchange for Samoa is number 15 Fanua Rimoni
Interchange for Australia is number 16 Tiana Penitani Gray

Interchange for Samoa is number 16 Amber Hall
Interchange for Australia is number 17 Ellie Johnston

Interchange for Samoa is number 17 Jasmine Fogavini
Replacement for Australia is number 18 Makenzie Weale

Replacement for Samoa is number 18 Tavarna Papalii

Match Officials

Referee: Kasey Badger
Touch Judge: Karra-Lee Nolan
Touch Judge: Izzy Davidson
Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated: 10/18/2026 10:18:15 PM

Late Mail

Australia: The Jillaroos will line up 1-18 with no late changes. Jocelyn Kelleher is set to make her debut at five-eighth while Keeley Nizza, Keilee Joseph, Tiana Penitani Gray and Ellie Johnston fill the bench spots.

Samoa: No late changes on game day. Taliah Fuimaono will line up alongside Pauline Piliae-Rasabale in the halves while Destiny Mino-Sinapati will take the field at fullback.

PNG v France

Saturday, October 17, 1.15pm AEDT at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 17 Oct

Full Time

Papua New Guinea

France

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Papua New Guinea is number 1 Anika Butler

Fullback for France is number 1 Manon Samarra
Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 2 Ivania Wong

Winger for France is number 2 Perle Ramazeilles
Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 3 Relna Wuruki-Hosea

Centre for France is number 3 Melissa Medina
Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 4 Tia Molo

Centre for France is number 4 Amael Vilanove
Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 5 Naomi Kelly

Winger for France is number 19 Margot Canal
Five-Eighth for Papua New Guinea is number 6 Fleur Ginn

Five-Eighth for France is number 6 Camille Boudaud
Halfback for Papua New Guinea is number 7 Cynthiah Peters

Halfback for France is number 7 Lisa Diraison

Forwards

Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 8 Elsie Albert

Prop for France is number 8 Elisa Akpa
Hooker for Papua New Guinea is number 9 Ua Ravu

Hooker for France is number 9 Cristina Song Puche
Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 10 Jafinda Sap

Prop for France is number 10 Elodie Pacull
2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 11 Belinda Gwasamun

2nd Row for France is number 11 Perrine Monsarrat
2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 12 Shellie Long

2nd Row for France is number 12 Stacy Bessiere
Lock for Papua New Guinea is number 13 Emily Veivers

Lock for France is number 13 Leila Bessahli

Interchange

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 14 Therese Aiton

Interchange for France is number 14 Fanny Ramos
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 15 Essay Banu

Interchange for France is number 15 Tallis Eranossian
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 16 Jenny David

Interchange for France is number 16 Salome Segala
Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 17 India Seeto

Interchange for France is number 17 Louisa Tooman
Replacement for Papua New Guinea is number 18 Gemma Walker

Replacement for France is number 18 Justine Roses

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Moore
Touch Judge: Geoffrey Poumes
Touch Judge: Dillan Wells
Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated: 10/19/2026 12:14:03 AM

Late Mail

PNG: The Orchids will line up 1-17 with no late changes. Gemma Walker is the 18th player. The Orchids’ line-up includes eight players with NRLW experience.

France: A late change for coach Alan Walsh with Margot Chanal starting on the wing in jersey No.19. Haoua Kessely is the player who drops out. The 18th player is Justine Roses.

England v Wales

Saturday, October 17, 5.35pm AEDT at HBF Park, Perth

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 17 Oct

Full Time

England

Wales

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for England is number 1 Fran Goldthorp

Fullback for Wales is number 1 Leanne Burnell
Winger for England is number 2 Anna Davies

Winger for Wales is number 2 Dani McGifford
Centre for England is number 3 Georgia Wilson

Centre for Wales is number 3 Hannah Bluck
Centre for England is number 4 Connie Boyd

Centre for Wales is number 4 Zoe Heeley
Winger for England is number 5 Amelia Brown

Winger for Wales is number 5 Frances Layton
Five-Eighth for England is number 6 Isabel Rowe

Five-Eighth for Wales is number 6 Ffion Lewis
Halfback for England is number 7 Georgia Roche

Halfback for Wales is number 7 Tayla Preston

Forwards

Prop for England is number 8 Mary Coleman

Prop for Wales is number 8 Agnes Wood
Hooker for England is number 9 Keara Bennett

Hooker for Wales is number 9 Jasmine Gibbons
Prop for England is number 10 Hollie-Mae Dodd

Prop for Wales is number 10 Emily Hughes
2nd Row for England is number 11 Jasmin Strange

2nd Row for Wales is number 11 Georgia Cussons
2nd Row for England is number 12 Eva Hunter

2nd Row for Wales is number 12 Paige Travis
Lock for England is number 13 Megan Williams

Lock for Wales is number 13 Bethan Dainton

Interchange

Interchange for England is number 14 Jodie Cunningham

Interchange for Wales is number 14 Carys Marsh
Interchange for England is number 15 Vicky Whitfield

Interchange for Wales is number 15 Kathryn Salter
Interchange for England is number 16 Jenna Foubister

Interchange for Wales is number 16 Katie Carr
Interchange for England is number 17 Hope Millard

Interchange for Wales is number 17 Erin Williams
Replacement for England is number 18 Liv Wood

Replacement for Wales is number 18 Jade Mullen

Match Officials

Referee: Tara Jones
Touch Judge: Tori Wilkie
Touch Judge: Rochelle Tamarua
Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated: 10/18/2026 10:20:33 PM

Late Mail

England: No late changes for England, who will line up 1-17 with Liv Wood the 18th player. Knights halfback Georgia Roche will wear the No.7 jumper while Gran Goldthorp lines up at fullback.

Wales: The Welsh are also 1-17, Jade Mullen to act as 18th player. St Helens forward, and former Eel, Paige Travis starts in the backrow with captain Bethan Dainton at lock.

New Zealand v Fiji

Sunday, October 18, 1.50pm AEDT at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 18 Oct

Full Time

New Zealand

Fiji

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for New Zealand is number 1 Apii Nicholls

Fullback for Fiji is number 1 Cassie Staples
Winger for New Zealand is number 2 Leianne Tufuga

Winger for Fiji is number 2 Maria Paseka
Centre for New Zealand is number 3 Mele Hufanga

Centre for Fiji is number 3 Isabella Waterman
Centre for New Zealand is number 4 Abigail Roache

Centre for Fiji is number 4 Taina Naividi
Winger for New Zealand is number 5 Stacey Waaka

Winger for Fiji is number 5 Sienna Laing
Five-Eighth for New Zealand is number 6 Zahara Temara

Five-Eighth for Fiji is number 6 Luisa Yaranamua
Halfback for New Zealand is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Halfback for Fiji is number 7 Losana Lutu

Forwards

Prop for New Zealand is number 8 Otesa Pule

Prop for Fiji is number 8 Latisha Smythe
Hooker for New Zealand is number 9 Georgia Hale

Hooker for Fiji is number 9 Sereana Naitokatoka
Prop for New Zealand is number 10 Shannon Mato

Prop for Fiji is number 10 Leilani Ahsam
2nd Row for New Zealand is number 11 Annessa Biddle

2nd Row for Fiji is number 11 Elizabeth Naleba
2nd Row for New Zealand is number 12 Kaiyah Atai

2nd Row for Fiji is number 12 Tamika Jones
Lock for New Zealand is number 13 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa

Lock for Fiji is number 13 Talei Holmes

Interchange

Interchange for New Zealand is number 14 Ashleigh Quinlan

Interchange for Fiji is number 14 Tahlia Marshall
Interchange for New Zealand is number 15 Alexis Tauaneai

Interchange for Fiji is number 15 Teaghan Hartigan
Interchange for New Zealand is number 16 Ivana Lauitiiti

Interchange for Fiji is number 16 Lorren Ieli
Interchange for New Zealand is number 17 Brianna Clark

Interchange for Fiji is number 17 Nanise Vakacavu
Replacement for New Zealand is number 18 Brooke Anderson

Replacement for Fiji is number 18 Naomi Tegu

Match Officials

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Paki Parkinson
Touch Judge: Jack Feavers
Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated: 10/18/2026 10:34:03 PM

Late Mail

New Zealand: The Ferns will take the field 1-17 as named with Brooke Anderson the 18th player. Winger Leianne Tufuga has scored four tries in her last five Tests.

Fiji: The Bulikula are 1-17 with no game day changes. Naomi Tegu is 18th player. Fiji’s line-up includes 10 players with NRLW experience.