Rugby League World Cup 2026, men's round 3, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 27 Oct 2026, 03:59 PM

Official squads, team lists and schedule for all Round 3 matches of the 2026 Men's Rugby League World Cup.

Full tournament draw HERE
Get your tickets HERE

NOTE: The World Cup will be played under NRL rules with six players on the interchange bench. Only four of those players may be used as per NRL rules.

World Cup Round 3 Team Lists

England v Papua New Guinea, Friday 8.05pm AEDT at WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Round 3 - Round 3 - Friday 30 Oct

9:05 am

England

Papua New Guinea

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for England is number 1 AJ Brimson

Fullback for Papua New Guinea is number 1 Zac Laybutt
Winger for England is number 2 Dominic Young

Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 2 Robert Derby
Centre for England is number 3 Hugo Savala

Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 3 Josh Feledy
Centre for England is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for Papua New Guinea is number 4 Nene Macdonald
Winger for England is number 5 Matty Ashton

Winger for Papua New Guinea is number 5 Dudley Dotoi
Five-Eighth for England is number 6 George Williams

Five-Eighth for Papua New Guinea is number 6 Gairo Voro
Halfback for England is number 7 Harry Smith

Halfback for Papua New Guinea is number 7 Bailey Biondi-Odo

Forwards

Prop for England is number 8 Max King

Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 8 Epel Kapinias
Hooker for England is number 9 Jez Litten

Hooker for Papua New Guinea is number 9 Edwin Ipape
Prop for England is number 10 Luke Thompson

Prop for Papua New Guinea is number 10 Luca Moretti
2nd Row for England is number 11 Junior Nsemba

2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 11 Rhyse Martin
2nd Row for England is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul

2nd Row for Papua New Guinea is number 12 Nixon Putt
Lock for England is number 13 Morgan Knowles

Lock for Papua New Guinea is number 13 Liam Horne

Interchange

Interchange for England is number 14 Mikey Lewis

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 14 Finley Glare
Interchange for England is number 15 Sam Walters

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 15 Jacob Taulani
Interchange for England is number 16 Ethan Havard

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 16 Robert Mathias
Interchange for England is number 17 Victor Radley

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 17 Sanny Wabo
Interchange for England is number 18 Ben Currie

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 18 Valentine Richard
Interchange for England is number 19 Jack Welsby

Interchange for Papua New Guinea is number 19 Zev John

Reserves

Reserve for England is number 20 Brad O'Neill

Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 20 Morea Morea
Reserve for England is number 21 Zach Eckersley

Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 21 Rodrick Tai
Reserve for England is number 22 Kallum Watkins

Reserve for Papua New Guinea is number 22 *Alex *Max

Kallum Watkins
Morgan Knowles
Zach Eckersley

*Alex *Max
Jacob Taulani
Luca Moretti
Nene Macdonald
Robert Mathias
Sanny Wabo

Jack De Belin
Khaiya Waiembi

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated: 10/27/2026 10:44:01 PM

England: Two changes to Brian McDermott's starting side with Hull KR's Jez Litten the new hooker and Morgan Knowles coming in at lock after missing the first two games due to a calf injury. Brad O'Neill drops to the reserves after wearing the No.9 last week while Victor Radley slides to the bench.

Papua New Guinea: Zac Laybutt moves to fullback and Josh Feledy and Nene MacDonald are the new centres in a reshuffled backline. Morea Morea and Rodrick Tai make way. Luca Moretti returns at prop after missing the Samoa game and Liam Horne comes in at lock for Jack de Belin (ribs). Prop Valentine Richard reverts to the bench alongside Zev John, Finley Glare and new faces Jacob Taulani, Sanny Wabo and Robert Mathias.

New Zealand v Fiji, Saturday 3.00pm AEDT at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 31 Oct

4:30 am

New Zealand

Fiji

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for New Zealand is number 1 Keano Kini

Fullback for Fiji is number 1 Sunia Turuva
Winger for New Zealand is number 2 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Fiji is number 2 Ronald Philitoga
Centre for New Zealand is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Fiji is number 3 Waqa Blake
Centre for New Zealand is number 4 Casey McLean

Centre for Fiji is number 4 Solomone Saukuru
Winger for New Zealand is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Fiji is number 5 Semi Valemei
Five-Eighth for New Zealand is number 6 Kodi Nikorima

Five-Eighth for Fiji is number 6 Kurt Donoghoe
Halfback for New Zealand is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Fiji is number 7 Brandon Wakeham

Forwards

Prop for New Zealand is number 8 James Fisher-Harris

Prop for Fiji is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for New Zealand is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King

Hooker for Fiji is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for New Zealand is number 10 Moses Leota

Prop for Fiji is number 10 Emosi Ravosai
2nd Row for New Zealand is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Fiji is number 11 Taane Milne
2nd Row for New Zealand is number 12 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Fiji is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
Lock for New Zealand is number 13 Joseph Tapine

Lock for Fiji is number 13 Caleb Navale

Interchange

Interchange for New Zealand is number 14 Te Maire Martin

Interchange for Fiji is number 14 Josese Lanyon
Interchange for New Zealand is number 15 Naufahu Whyte

Interchange for Fiji is number 15 Elijah Keung
Interchange for New Zealand is number 16 Erin Clark

Interchange for Fiji is number 16 Jordan Miller
Interchange for New Zealand is number 17 Xavier Willison

Interchange for Fiji is number 17 Joseph Litidamu
Interchange for New Zealand is number 18 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Interchange for Fiji is number 18 Jordin Leiu
Interchange for New Zealand is number 19 Scott Sorensen

Interchange for Fiji is number 19 Apenisa Driti

Reserves

Reserve for New Zealand is number 20 Leo Thompson

Reserve for Fiji is number 20 Zion Johnson
Reserve for New Zealand is number 21 Jacob Laban

Reserve for Fiji is number 21 Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Reserve for New Zealand is number 22 Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserve for Fiji is number 22 Kylan Mafoa

Dane Gagai
Moses Leota
Naufahu Whyte

Jordan Miller
Joseph Litidamu
Kylan Mafoa
Zion Johnson

Mitchell Prest

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Jarrod Cole
Touch Judge: Kieren Irons
Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated: 10/27/2026 10:48:10 PM

New Zealand: Centre Dane Gagai and prop Moses Leota are back on deck after being rested last week so Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad moves to the interchange and Joseph Tapine slides to lock. Isaiah Papali'i returns to the starting side in the back row alongside Briton Nikora and Tapine. The reshuffle sees Xavier Willison, Erin Clark and Scott Sorensen slide to the interchange while impressive debutant Tanner Stowers-Smith drops to the reserves along with Leo Thompson and Jacob Laban.

Fiji: Sunia Turuva takes over at fullback and Ronald Philitoga comes in on the wing with Bayley Bentleigh-Hape out injured. Warriors prop Emosi Ravosai joins the starting side in place of Mitchell Prest, who copped a one-game ban for a high tackle on Australia's Lindsay Smith. The new faces on the six-man bench are Eels big man Jordan Miller and Storm winger Joseph Litidamu.

Australia v Cook Islands, Saturday 8.05pm AEDT at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 31 Oct

9:05 am

Australia

Cook Islands

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Australia is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for Cook Islands is number 1 Valentine Holmes
Winger for Australia is number 2 Jack Bostock

Winger for Cook Islands is number 2 Paul Ulberg
Centre for Australia is number 3 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for Cook Islands is number 3 KL Iro
Centre for Australia is number 4 Bradman Best

Centre for Cook Islands is number 4 Reubenn Rennie
Winger for Australia is number 5 Tom Trbojevic

Winger for Cook Islands is number 5 Cameron Brown
Five-Eighth for Australia is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Cook Islands is number 6 Maui Winitana-Patelesio
Halfback for Australia is number 7 Tom Dearden

Halfback for Cook Islands is number 17 Brad Takairangi

Forwards

Prop for Australia is number 8 Patrick Carrigan

Prop for Cook Islands is number 8 Davvy Moale
Hooker for Australia is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for Cook Islands is number 9 Rua Ngatikaura
Prop for Australia is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Prop for Cook Islands is number 10 Rhys Dakin
2nd Row for Australia is number 11 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Cook Islands is number 11 Amare Milford
2nd Row for Australia is number 12 Liam Martin

2nd Row for Cook Islands is number 12 Delahia Wigmore
Lock for Australia is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Cook Islands is number 13 Mason Teague

Interchange

Interchange for Australia is number 14 Ethan Strange

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 7 Esan Marsters
Interchange for Australia is number 15 Keaon Koloamatangi

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 14 K-CI Newton-Whare
Interchange for Australia is number 16 Cameron Murray

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 15 Makahesi Makatoa
Interchange for Australia is number 17 Reuben Cotter

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 16 David Tuariki
Interchange for Australia is number 18 Lindsay Smith

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 18 Chaev Kolone
Interchange for Australia is number 19 James Tedesco

Interchange for Cook Islands is number 19 Glassie Glassie

Reserves

Reserve for Australia is number 20 Sam Walker

Reserve for Cook Islands is number 20 Brody Tamarua
Reserve for Australia is number 21 Latrell Mitchell

Reserve for Cook Islands is number 21 Pride Petterson-Robati
Reserve for Australia is number 22 David Fifita

Reserve for Cook Islands is number 22 Reuben Porter

Ethan Strange
Isaah Yeo
Liam Martin
Reece Walsh

Brody Tamarua
Paul Ulberg
Pride Petterson-Robati
Reuben Porter

Blayke Brailey

Esom Ioka

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Michael Wise
Touch Judge: Nick Pelgrave
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 10/27/2026 10:50:31 PM

Australia: Reece Walsh is back in the No.1 jersey while Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Cameron Munster also return to the side. Another change in the halves with Tom Dearden wearing the No.7 alongside Munster with Sam Walker dropping to the reserves. Raiders star Ethan Strange makes his Test debut off the bench after joining the squad when Mitch Moses dropped out due to injury. Props Pat Carrigan and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui return to the starting side after coming off the bench last week while Harry Grant is back in the No.9. James Tedesco moves to the interchange to make way for Walsh's return while David Fifita and Blayke Brailey drop out.

Cook Islands: Toulouse's Paul Ulberg comes back in on the wing for Esom Ioka, who left the field injured last week after snaring a hat-trick. No other changes to the 19-man squad for Karmichael Hunt as the Aitu look to finish their tournament with a win over the world champions.

Lebanon v France, Sunday 5.40pm AEDT at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Round 3 - Round 3 - Sunday 1 Nov

6:40 am

Lebanon

France

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Lebanon is number 1 Jacob Kiraz

Fullback for France is number 1 Arthur Mourgue
Winger for Lebanon is number 2 Tony Francis

Winger for France is number 2 Leo Darrelatour
Centre for Lebanon is number 3 Michael Gabrael

Centre for France is number 3 Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet
Centre for Lebanon is number 4 Jordan Samrani

Centre for France is number 4 Romeo Tropis
Winger for Lebanon is number 5 Jason Saab

Winger for France is number 5 Benjamin Laguerre
Five-Eighth for Lebanon is number 6 Joseph Nohra

Five-Eighth for France is number 6 Cesar Rouge
Halfback for Lebanon is number 7 Alex Conti

Halfback for France is number 7 Thomas Lacans

Forwards

Prop for Lebanon is number 8 Jaxson Rahme

Prop for France is number 8 Romain Navarrete
Hooker for Lebanon is number 9 Moustafa Dirani

Hooker for France is number 9 Alrix Da Costa
Prop for Lebanon is number 10 James Roumanos

Prop for France is number 10 Julian Bousquet
2nd Row for Lebanon is number 11 Tony Sukkar

2nd Row for France is number 11 Mathieu Cozza
2nd Row for Lebanon is number 12 Abbas Miski

2nd Row for France is number 12 Mathieu Jussaume
Lock for Lebanon is number 13 Alex Twal

Lock for France is number 13 Benjamin Garcia

Interchange

Interchange for Lebanon is number 14 Yehya Ayache

Interchange for France is number 14 Amir Bourouh
Interchange for Lebanon is number 15 Tupou Francis

Interchange for France is number 15 Lambert Belmas
Interchange for Lebanon is number 16 Jalal Bazzaz

Interchange for France is number 16 Jordan Dezaria
Interchange for Lebanon is number 17 Khalil Rahme

Interchange for France is number 17 Jowasa Drodrolagi
Interchange for Lebanon is number 18 Shadi Hammoud

Interchange for France is number 18 Theo Fages
Interchange for Lebanon is number 19 Mikael Ibrahim

Interchange for France is number 19 Fouad Yaha

Reserves

Reserve for Lebanon is number 20 Ibrahim El Labban

Reserve for France is number 20 Tiaki Chan
Reserve for Lebanon is number 21 Cameron Kanaan

Reserve for France is number 21 Louis Grossemy
Reserve for Lebanon is number 22 Mohamed Alameddine

Reserve for France is number 22 Arthur Romano

Cameron Kanaan
Mohamed Alameddine
Shadi Hammoud
Yehya Ayache

Alrix Da Costa
Jowasa Drodrolagi
Leo Darrelatour
Tiaki Chan

Khaled Rajab

Latrell Siegwalt

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Moore
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated: 10/27/2026 10:58:01 PM

Lebanon: Joseph Nohra will wear the No.6 after Khaled Rajab was ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury. Shadi Hammoud was added to the squad in place of Rajab and will come from the bench against France. Moustafa Dirani has been named at hooker. Jalal Bazazz goes back to the bench alongside new faces Yehya Ayache and Hammoud.

France: The loss of centre Latrell Siegwalt to a shoulder injury sees Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet come into the starting side. Leo Darrelatour also comes in on the wing for Fouad Yaha, who goes to the bench. A change in the halves with Cesar Rouge starting at five-eighth after being benched for the England game. Thomas Lacans moves to No.7 and Theo Fages goes to the interchange. Alrix Da Costa is the new hooker and Mathieu Cozza starts in the back row with Amir Bourouh going to the bench and Arthur Romano dropping to the reserves.

Tonga v Samoa, Sunday, 8.05pm AEDT at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Round 3 - Round 3 - Sunday 1 Nov

9:05 am

Tonga

Samoa

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Tonga is number 1 Lehi Hopoate

Fullback for Samoa is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Winger for Tonga is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Winger for Samoa is number 2 Brian To'o
Centre for Tonga is number 3 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Samoa is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Tonga is number 4 Robert Toia

Centre for Samoa is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Tonga is number 5 Jojo Fifita

Winger for Samoa is number 5 Sualauvi Fa'alogo
Five-Eighth for Tonga is number 6 Tuimoala Lolohea

Five-Eighth for Samoa is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Halfback for Tonga is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Halfback for Samoa is number 7 Jarome Luai

Forwards

Prop for Tonga is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Samoa is number 8 Francis Molo
Hooker for Tonga is number 9 Salesi Foketi

Hooker for Samoa is number 9 Benaiah Ioelu
Prop for Tonga is number 10 Jason Taumalolo

Prop for Samoa is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Tonga is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Samoa is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
2nd Row for Tonga is number 12 Siua Wong

2nd Row for Samoa is number 12 Jermaine McEwen
Lock for Tonga is number 13 Tyson Frizell

Lock for Samoa is number 13 Francis Manuleleua

Interchange

Interchange for Tonga is number 14 Soni Luke

Interchange for Samoa is number 14 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange for Tonga is number 15 Stefano Utoikamanu

Interchange for Samoa is number 15 Spencer Leniu
Interchange for Tonga is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga

Interchange for Samoa is number 16 Shawn Blore
Interchange for Tonga is number 17 Taniela Paseka

Interchange for Samoa is number 17 Ata Mariota
Interchange for Tonga is number 18 Leka Halasima

Interchange for Samoa is number 18 Clayton Faulalo
Interchange for Tonga is number 19 Latu Fainu

Interchange for Samoa is number 19 Ronald Volkman

Reserves

Reserve for Tonga is number 20 Paul Alamoti

Reserve for Samoa is number 20 Pasami Saulo
Reserve for Tonga is number 21 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Reserve for Samoa is number 21 Enari Tuala
Reserve for Tonga is number 22 Sione Katoa

Reserve for Samoa is number 22 Deine Mariner

Demitric Vaimauga
Isaiya Katoa
Robert Toia
Tyson Frizell

Deine Mariner
Enari Tuala
Jazz Tevaga
Pasami Saulo

Talatau Amone

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Daniel Luttringer
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 10/27/2026 10:52:00 PM

Tonga: Superstar halfback Isaiya Katoa (ankle) is back on deck so Tui Lolohea slides to five-eighth and Latu Fainu to the interchange. Lolohea makes his 25th Test appearance for Tonga. Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and centre Rob Toia return to the starting side in place of Sione Katoa and Paul Alamoti. Veteran Knight Tyson Frizell returns at lock, Jason Taumalolo pushes up to the front row and Stefano Utoikamanu goes to the interchange. Siua Wong is back in the starting side after coming from the bench last week so Kulikefu Finefeuiaki drops to the reserves.

Samoa: No changes to Ben Gardiner's starting side for the blockbuster clash at CommBank Stadium. Experienced forward Jazz Tevaga is back on the interchange after missing the PNG game while winger Deine Mariner is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a hamstring injury suffered in the opening match against France.