The Rugby League World Cup Group Stages are done and dusted as we turn our attention to a pair of mouth-watering Semi-Final clashes this weekend.
On the back of last week’s Tonga v Samoa blockbuster, Saturday’s battle between the Kiwis and Tonga promises to be just as eventful, while the Kangaroos face their toughest assignment up against Samoa. Oscar Pannifex previews both games, plus the women’s Semi-Finals here!
With all the hype focussed around Tonga v Samoa last week, we might have forgotten just how good a match up this one will be.
The two best middle-forward rotations in the World Cup finally meet and it should make for a hell of a contest through the middle of the field. There’ll be no lull in intensity either side of half time here as both New Zealand and Tonga roll out a bench rotation the envy of any other nation’s starting pack.
In what’s likely to be a contest of moments, I like Tonga to cash in through Tui Lolohea on the left edge.
The veteran five-eighth’s complementing Isaiya Katoa wonderfully in the halves and nailed a few crucial short side involvements against Samoa last week. His left centre Tolu Koula can be the beneficiary here while I love the value in Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad cameoing on the left wing for Ronaldo Mulitalo this week.
Prediction: New Zealand 1-12 @ $2.65
Anytime Tryscorer: Tolu Koula @ $2.90, Charnze Nickoll-Klokstad @ $2.90
There was a spot on Samoa’s left edge for Tonga to target last week and in a two-point result, it was arguably the difference.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak should’ve had one early & Robert Toia was denied a few himself before eventually taking a Haumole Olakau’atu offload to the house.
If we can take anything from Tonga v Samoa last week, it’s that the Kangaroos will have some joy down that right touchline if they play it smart. Tom Dearden in the halves and Reece Walsh out the back will be key to this – Dearden straightening things up on the tramlines and Walsh sweeping into three-on-two’s on the edge.
Tom Trbojevic brings a ridiculous height advantage into this contest and the Kangaroos would be silly to not isolate him over the top of Sua Fa’alogo a few times here, but ‘Turbo’ is just as likely to dine out on the end of any Australian right edge backline movement.
There’ll be fireworks early but I like the Kangaroos to kick on here.
Prediction: Australia to Cover the Line (-7.5) Points @ $1.90
Anytime Tryscorer: Tom Trbojevic 2+ Tries @ $3.70
The Kiwi Ferns are undefeated so far in the 2026 Women’s RLWC but they’ve not produced anything near their best in three wins to date.
A slow start against Fiji in Round 1 was a good example, but New Zealand still found a way to stop the rot and do enough when it mattered.
Assuming they turn up here though and embrace the early grind, this feels like it could roll into another big Ferns win.
Samoa have enjoyed their moments in two friendly matchups against Wales & England but were exposed by the Jillaroos in Round 1. Evania Isa’ako is doing some good things at five-eighth and can test New Zealand’s defence if Samoa work into good-ball but overall the Ferns should have too much class – particularly on the edges.
Prediction: New Zealand to Cover the Line (-12.5 Points) @ $1.90
Anytime Tryscorer: Stacey Waaka @ $1.80, Mackenzie Wiki @ $1.78
The Women’s World Cup Final feels like a bit of an inevitability but the Jillaroos still have a contest to get through here.
The Fiji Women have arguably been the success story of the tournament; headlined by a coming-of-age campaign for halfback Losana Lutu.
The Wests Tigers playmaker has excelled in a leading role for the Bati Women but should expect plenty of defensive attention from the Jillaroos here.
It might be a grind early but sooner or later, fatigue will set in and Australia will pull away.
Prediction: Australia to Cover the Line (-62.5 Points) @ $1.90
Anytime Tryscorer: Jess Sergis 2+ Tries @ $1.87, Jaime Chapman 2+ Tries @ $1.60