World Cup 2026 : Round One (Women)

The format for the women is standard fare. Group A and Group B, each with four teams and they play each other once. The top two from each group progress to the semi finals. 

The standard is evening out, with any nation able to call on several players from Australia's NRLW competition in a good place. 

On to the first round.

Group A:

Australia 40-0 Samoa. It sounds like a one sided game, but it would have been far worse two years ago or even one. It was 28-0 at half time, but the Jillaroos struggled to have any dominance in the second half as Samoa got into a groove. 

England 70-6 Wales. This is the first wowmns' world cup appearance for Wales and they are here on a learning curve. It was 40-6 at the break and the onslaught conitnued for the second half too. It was nice that Wales scored, not something they have done in their previous two encounters with England. I hope they can score some more points in their final two matches. 

Group B: 

PNG 58-4 France. PNG can call on NRLW players, while France has a small, weak domestic set up. Add to that PNG play with more confidence at home, so the result was a foregone conclusion. PNG went to the break 32-0 up and wen on to win comfortably but at least the scoreline was better for France in the second half.

New Zealand 18-10 Fiji. NZ are the second best rated side, playing a Fiji side at its first tournament. It could only have one outcome and ultimately did. However, the game was close throughout, with NZ scoring a late try to seal the victory. Fiji led 12-10 at half time, a late try in that half by NZ giving hope to a Kiwi side being outplayed. NZ will surely play better but they are well off Australia's level. 

For video match highlights and post match interviews, simply click here. 

World Cup 2026 : Round One (Mens)

The format for the men is unusual. Group A has four teams and they play each other once. The top two progress. Group B teams don't play each other but the three from Group C. Group C teams likewise only play teams from Group B. One team from B and one from C progress to semi finals. 

This means all sides play three group stage matches. With only ten teams participating, having eight quarter finalists would make the group matches of little value. 

On to the first round.

Group A:

Australia 24-22 New Zealand. NZ dominated the game except for the scoreline. It seemed NZ lost rather than Australia won. The win was there for the taking for NZ. Both sides should progress regardless. It just changes who they will play in the semi final game. 

Fiji 40-12 Cook Is. Fiji raced to a 28-0 half time lead, effectively ending the contest in terms of outcome. The Cooks did come back well in the second half but the horse had already bolted. Fiji will hope it can upset the Kiwis and be the second qualifier from the group. 

Group B/C: 

Tonga 30-12 England. Some say it was a shock result, but I don't. England had no warm up matches. Rather than fly direct to Perth, they flew across the world and went to the east coast before having to fly across Australia. With all that, they struggled with combinations, which need to get better.

All that said, Tonga are a top nation. They only led 10-0 at half time and it was 10-6 during the second period. Things got away from England late but the score didn't reflect the contest. The top ranked sides from each group playing first up wasn't smart by the organisers either. England now look out of the semi finals already. 

Samoa 78-4 France. Before the first whistle, this had one way traffic stamped all over it. Samoa were ruthless and France battled valiantly, but that still was embarrassing for France. It was 34-4 at the break and already all over bar the shouting. 

Papua New Guinea 42-18 Lebanon. PNG are good at home and they play with confidence. In this instance, Lebanon stayed in the fight and only trailed 12-18 at half time. PNG pulled away in the second half, but that was a gutsy display by The Cedars. 

For video match highlights and post match interviews, simply click here. 

IMG UK Ratings

A rating system was created by IMG to determine who should play at the elite level of the sport in the UK. The ratings have been revealed for 2026 and they are as follows.

Category A covers clubs 15 points and over. eight in total. Category B those below that figure, six SL clubs lead the way. 

All present Super League clubs (division one) are covered in the blue and yellow shading I have created. 

The top two Championship (second division) I have shaded in pink. They are some way off the current SL clubs.  

The SL clubs are therefore all safe from relegation. The question is, will they be joined by another club from the division below? On the scoring system no. They are supposed to achieve that through points.

The problem I see with the system is that London Broncos have won  three competitions in the lower level and are financially sound, yet are nowhere near SL admission via points. I'm also surprised Barrow got more, no disrespect to that fine club. 

London may get promoted anyway, as that could be part of a media deal. The issue still remains, could any Championship club ever realistically qualify to be promoted with the IMG points system?