The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is heating up, and Round 3 promises a weekend of blockbuster international rugby league as teams battle for crucial victories and momentum heading towards the knockout stages.
From England’s clash with Papua New Guinea to Australia’s meeting with the Cook Islands, there is plenty to look forward to. However, all eyes will be on Sunday’s showdown between Tonga and Samoa, with two of the tournament’s most passionate rugby league nations preparing for an enormous battle.
After another action-packed round of international footy, our team at Jerseys Megastore is back with our tips, predictions and key talking points for all five men’s fixtures.
As Canberra’s stockist of officially licensed NRL and international rugby league merchandise, Jerseys Megastore is the place to support your favourite team in style. Whether you’re backing the Kangaroos, cheering on the Kiwis or proudly representing your Pacific Island heritage, we’ve got your international rugby league gear covered.
Let’s get into this weekend’s tips!
England v Papua New Guinea
Friday, 30 October | WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Can England respond against the Kumuls?
England face a significant test against Papua New Guinea as the group stage reaches its conclusion.
The English will be looking to build on their tournament campaign and demonstrate that they can compete with the strongest international sides. With plenty of individual talent throughout their squad, England have the ability to threaten opponents through their attacking shape, strong forward play and ability to generate momentum.
However, Papua New Guinea will be determined to make their mark on the tournament.
The Kumuls bring tremendous enthusiasm, physicality and speed to the international stage. Their passionate supporters provide an unmistakable atmosphere, and their players have the ability to turn a contest into a fast-paced battle when they find their rhythm.
The key for PNG will be maintaining discipline and taking their opportunities against an England side that will be eager to control the match.
England will need to establish dominance through the middle and avoid allowing the Kumuls to dictate the tempo. If the English forwards can win the battle up front, their outside backs should have opportunities to capitalise.
Our Prediction
England have the quality to win this contest, but Papua New Guinea should not be underestimated. Expect the Kumuls to bring plenty of energy and make England work hard for their points.
Jerseys Megastore Tip: England by 16 points.
Predicted Score: England 34–18 Papua New Guinea
Players to Watch: England’s forward pack will be crucial to establishing control, while PNG’s outside backs could prove dangerous if given space.
New Zealand v Fiji
Saturday, 31 October | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
The Kiwis face a dangerous Fijian challenge
New Zealand and Fiji meet in what promises to be an entertaining contest between two sides with plenty of attacking ability.
The Kiwis enter the match with their sights firmly set on building towards the latter stages of the tournament. Their traditional strengths include physical defence, powerful forward play and the ability to turn pressure into points through intelligent attacking football.
However, Fiji’s Bati are more than capable of challenging the tournament favourites.
Fiji have developed a reputation for producing exciting attacking players who combine speed, footwork and offloading ability. When their outside backs find space, they can create opportunities from seemingly nothing.
The Fijians will need to be disciplined in defence and avoid giving New Zealand repeat sets close to the try line. Allowing the Kiwis to build pressure could make for a long afternoon.
For New Zealand, the challenge will be limiting Fiji’s attacking opportunities while maintaining patience in possession. If the Kiwis can control the middle of the field and force Fiji into defensive work, their superior ability to build sustained pressure could prove decisive.
Expect Fiji to have their moments, particularly when the game opens up, but New Zealand’s forward pack should provide a strong foundation.
Our Prediction
Fiji have the attacking talent to trouble New Zealand, but the Kiwis should have enough class and experience to secure the victory.
Jerseys Megastore Tip: New Zealand by 18 points.
Predicted Score: New Zealand 38–20 Fiji
Players to Watch: Keep an eye on Fiji’s dangerous outside backs and New Zealand’s forward leaders, who will be vital to controlling the tempo.
Show your colours: Whether you’re a lifelong Kiwi supporter or a proud member of the Bati faithful, Jerseys Megastore is your destination for officially licensed international rugby league merchandise.
Australia v Cook Islands
Saturday, 31 October | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
The Kangaroos look to finish the group stage strongly
Australia will be aiming to maintain their position among the tournament favourites when they take on the Cook Islands.
The Kangaroos have the depth, experience and attacking quality to trouble any opponent in world rugby league. Their ability to generate pressure through their forwards and then exploit defensive weaknesses out wide makes them an exceptionally difficult side to contain.
Australia’s challenge will be to maintain their standards and avoid allowing the Cook Islands to gain confidence early in the contest.
The Cook Islands have plenty of pride in representing their nation on the international stage. They will be eager to make the most of the opportunity, compete physically and give their supporters something to celebrate.
To remain competitive, the Cook Islands will need to complete their sets, minimise handling errors and defend their own line with determination.
Australia, meanwhile, will look to establish control early and use their attacking depth to stretch the Cook Islands’ defensive line. If the Kangaroos gain an early advantage, their ability to maintain pressure could make the contest difficult for their opponents.
Although the Cook Islands will bring plenty of heart, Australia’s experience at the highest level should prove decisive.
Our Prediction
The Cook Islands will be determined to make Australia work for the result, but the Kangaroos should have too much attacking firepower.
Jerseys Megastore Tip: Australia by 36 points.
Predicted Score: Australia 48–12 Cook Islands
Players to Watch: Australia’s creative spine and outside backs could be the difference, particularly if the Kangaroos establish early dominance.
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If you’re backing Australia throughout the World Cup, check out the officially licensed NRL and international rugby league merchandise available through Jerseys Megastore.
Lebanon v France
Sunday, 1 November | CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Cedars look to finish on a high
Lebanon and France meet in a contest that presents both nations with an opportunity to finish their group-stage campaigns positively.
Lebanon will be looking to rediscover the form that helped them establish themselves as a competitive international rugby league nation. The Cedars have produced some impressive performances in recent years, combining physicality through the middle with dangerous attacking players capable of creating opportunities.
France, meanwhile, will be keen to respond after a difficult tournament campaign.
The French have a proud rugby league history, and this fixture gives them an opportunity to demonstrate their resilience against international opposition. Their challenge will be to maintain defensive discipline and prevent Lebanon from generating momentum through the middle of the field.
Lebanon’s ability to compete physically and capitalise on attacking opportunities could be particularly important. If the Cedars can establish field position and force France to defend repeated sets, they should be well placed to control the contest.
France will need to improve their defensive execution and make the most of any opportunities that come their way.
This could be a closer contest than some of the weekend’s other fixtures, particularly if France can stay in the game during the opening exchanges.
Our Prediction
Lebanon have shown enough to suggest they can control this contest. Expect the Cedars to use their physicality and attacking organisation to secure the victory.
Jerseys Megastore Tip: Lebanon by 18 points.
Predicted Score: Lebanon 30–12 France
Players to Watch: Lebanon’s attacking leaders will be important in creating opportunities, while France will need their experienced players to provide direction and composure.
Match of the Week: Tonga v Samoa
Sunday, 1 November | CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Tonga v Samoa: A Pacific Island blockbuster
If there’s one match circled on every rugby league fan’s calendar this weekend, it’s Tonga versus Samoa.
This is more than just another World Cup fixture. It’s a clash between two proud rugby league nations with passionate supporters, powerful forward packs and a growing reputation for producing some of the most exciting international football in the game.
The atmosphere should be enormous, with supporters from both nations bringing their colour, culture and passion to CommBank Stadium.
And with the group stage approaching its conclusion, there is plenty riding on this contest.
Tonga: Power, pace and confidence
Tonga have made a statement at this World Cup, demonstrating their ability to compete with the world’s best.
Their victory over England in the opening round highlighted the threat they pose when their powerful forwards establish momentum and their outside backs are given opportunities to attack.
Tonga’s physicality is one of their greatest strengths. When their forwards win the collision and generate quick play-the-balls, they can put enormous pressure on opposition defences.
Their challenge against Samoa will be maintaining that momentum against another side capable of matching them physically.
Discipline and composure will be crucial. Against a team as dangerous as Samoa, even a short period of poor execution could prove costly.
Tonga will be determined to continue building their tournament campaign and show that they are genuine contenders for the World Cup title.
Samoa: An attacking force
Samoa have also demonstrated their attacking potential, producing a dominant performance against France before delivering an emphatic victory over Papua New Guinea.
Their ability to score points in bunches makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the competition.
Samoa possess the size, speed and individual talent to trouble any defence. When their forwards generate momentum and their playmakers find space, their attacking combinations can be difficult to contain.
However, Tonga represent a significantly different challenge from their previous opponents.
Samoa will need to match Tonga’s physicality through the middle while maintaining the discipline required to defend against a side capable of generating sustained pressure.
If Samoa can establish control early, their attacking weapons could make the difference.
The key battle: Who wins the middle?
This match could ultimately be decided through the middle of the field.
Both nations have the forward power to dominate the contact area, and neither will want to surrender ground or allow the opposition to dictate the tempo.
The side that wins the collision, controls possession and completes its sets consistently will put itself in the strongest position.
Field position will also be critical. Giving elite attacking players a short field and repeated opportunities near the try line could quickly swing the match.
There is little between these teams in terms of passion, physicality and attacking potential. The difference may come down to discipline, execution and which side handles the pressure best.
Expect a fierce opening, some enormous collisions and plenty of drama.
Our Prediction
This is arguably the toughest game of the round to tip.
Tonga have already shown they can rise to the occasion against elite opposition, while Samoa’s attacking form suggests they are capable of scoring against anyone.
We expect a close, physical encounter that goes down to the final quarter. Samoa’s attacking firepower could prove decisive, but Tonga have more than enough quality to pull off the victory.
Jerseys Megastore Tip: Samoa by 4 points.
Predicted Score: Tonga 24–28 Samoa
Players to Watch: Both forward packs will be central to the outcome. Watch for the playmakers and outside backs who can turn a tight, physical contest into a match-winning moment.
The rivalry doesn’t stop at the final whistle
When Tonga and Samoa meet, the passion extends well beyond the field.
For supporters, representing your nation is about culture, pride, family and belonging. Whether you’re cheering for Mate Ma’a Tonga or standing behind Toa Samoa, this is the sort of fixture that reminds us why international rugby league means so much to so many people.
And what better way to show your support than with the latest official training gear?
Get Behind Your Team with Jerseys Megastore
The Rugby League World Cup brings together everything that makes international rugby league special: national pride, fierce rivalries, unforgettable performances and supporters who live and breathe the game.
Whether you’re backing the Kangaroos, the Kiwis, England or one of the Pacific Island nations, Jerseys Megastore is here to help you represent your team.
As Canberra’s stockist of officially licensed NRL and international rugby league merchandise, we’re proud to help local fans celebrate their favourite teams.
From club jerseys to international gear, there’s no better time to get behind the teams you love.
And with the newly released Tonga and Samoa Captain’s Run training ranges, supporters have another way to show their colours ahead of one of the biggest games of the tournament.
Shop Jerseys Megastore for officially licensed rugby league merchandise and wear your colours with pride.
Who’s your tip for Tonga v Samoa?
Will Tonga’s physicality get them over the line, or will Samoa’s attacking firepower prove too much?
Let us know your predictions, and make sure you check out the latest international rugby league gear at Jerseys Megastore before kick-off!
