World Cup 2026 : Round Two (Women)

Two groups of four is the better format. Perhaps the men's side could have been the same. 

Samoa 76-0 Wales. A very inexperienced Wales were never going to challenge a team of players from Australia and NZ. The competitions they compete in are so different. The half time was 40-0 and the second half was much the same. Wales were motivated but totally outplayed. 

Fiji 40-4 PNG. Fiji nearly upset the Kiwi Ferns and were favoured to beat the PNG Orchids, even allowing for the match played in PNG. Fiji raced to a 30-4 half time lead and went on to win. Fiji should qualify to progress, but PNG will be unlikely to.  

Australia 78-0 England. There was only ever going to be one result here. Australia led 36-0 at half time and and the second half was a similar affair. One tweam plays in a professional league, the other in an amateur and semi professional one. 

New Zealand 92-0 France. The Kiwi Ferns led 46-0 at half time and went on with it in the second half. I wouldn't turen up to watch a match like this. 

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

World Cup 2026 : Round Two (Mens)

With only three matches in the group stages, each game is important, especially for the three team groups.

Tonga 36-0 Lebanon. It was tighter than the score suggested, with Tonga ahead 14-0 at the break. Lebanon mounted many attacks but couldn't convert them into points. That ends Lebanon's hopes and Tonga are well placed to advance. 

Samoa 64-6 PNG. PNG had home advantage but not ad highly rated as Samoa. Still, an interesting encounter was expected. Samoa led 14-6 at the break and then the flood gates opened. The modern rules mean you only need to be on a role and the score blows out. I think it needs addressing. 

England 82-0 France. For twenty minutes it was a reasonable contest but England took control and led 34-0 at the break. The floodgates opened in the second half. 

New Zealand 82-16 Cook Is. The Aitu got some early intercept tries and lead the Kiwis 16-12 but the latter came back to lead 36-16 by the break. The second half was one way traffic.

Australia 12-10 Fiji. Fiji had a good start to the match, only trailing 12-10 at the break. They went on to lead 16-12 and had a try disallowed that would have made it interesting had it been awarded. But then they tired, and the game got away from them. 

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

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.