The Rugby League World Cup kicks off this week with some stunning matchups led by the opener between old rivals Australia and New Zealand and a compelling affair between England and Tonga.
The World Cup opens with a matchup many are forecasting as the final with the Kangaroos and Kiwis meeting at Allianz Stadium. Hope is high in New Zealand that they can win their second World Cup but look severe unders in both futures betting and this game. Australia have lost just a single World Cup game since the Super League War and the only time New Zealand defeat Australia is when they have a major coaching edge – which they don’t this time around. The Kangaroos have conceded 14 or fewer in 13 of their last 15 Tests. Australia have the superior kicking game and spine to dominate this match. Latrell Mitchell scored five tries in five games last World Cup and has scored 59 tries in 74 games playing in the centres in the NRL. Cameron Murray has seven tries in 10 games for Australia with four of those coming off the bench.
Tips
Best: Australia -2.5 ($1.90)
Next: Australia 13+ ($3.60)
Tryscorer: Latrell Mitchell ($11 First, $2.30 Anytime)
SGM: Latrell Mitchell Try/Cameron Murray ($22.12)
Samoa are renowned for their slow starts in major tournaments and given the improvement of France since Trent Robinson took over as director of rugby, Les Chanticleers look a bet getting 48.5 points. Samoa have not only lost their last two Pacific Cup openers but were thumped 60-6 by England at the last World Cup – a tournament they warmed into as they eventually reached the final. Samoa have chosen a sub-optimal team, namely starting Jarome Luai and Izack Tago, while their middle depth is not great. France have a couple of players with NRL experience as well as some very good Super League players led by Arthur Mourgue. Les Chanticleers can keep this close enough. Leo Darrelatour scored 13 tries in 14 games for Catalans this season and scored on his Test debut last season. Francis Manulelua finished the season scoring in three of his final five games including in the NRL Grand Final.
Tips
Best: France +48.5 ($1.90)
Next: France +30.5 ($3.90)
Tryscorer: Leo Darrelatour ($41 First, $5 Anytime)
SGM: Leo Darrelatour Try/Francis Manulelua Try ($18.58)
Lebanon are the best bet of the opening weekend of men’s action at the 2026 World Cup with Michael Cheika’s team being wildly underrated. The Cedars have outstripped the market at both of the last two World Cups, covering all eight of their games. The decision of Mitchell Moses to represent Australia is a blow but this Lebanese side has plenty of talent led by NRL players Alex Twal, Jacob Kiraz, Jason Saab and Jordan Samrani. PNG have won 12 of their last 13 Tests in Port Moresby but the Kumuls have rarely met a team as well organised as the Cedars at home. Lebanon can win this game. Alex Conti is a genuine rep player of the future and he knows his way to the tryline with 10 tries in 17 games this year in the NSW Cup. Sylvester Namo is a real try thief close to the line. He scored in the PM’s XIII game and has scored in three of his last five Tests.
Tips
Best: Lebanon +16.5 ($1.90)
Next: Lebanon Win ($4.50)
Tryscorer: Alex Conti ($26 First, $3.90 Anytime)
SGM: Alex Conti Try/Sylvester Namo Try ($24.15)
Arguably the highlight of the weekend, England and Tonga meet in a game that Tonga absolutely have to win and England would really benefit from winning. There is plenty of hype around Tonga heading into this World Cup with such a star-studded lineup but England enter as the forgotten team and are certainly not being afforded the respect they deserve. New coach Brian McDermott has named nine NRL players to start and McDermott is a huge upgrade on previous mentor Shaun Wane. Tonga have won just one of nine Tests and got swept by England in 2023. Herbie Farnworth has six tries in nine Tests for England while he comes off a super season where he scored 15 tries in 25 games for the Dolphins. Tolutau Koula is an elite mover who has scored a try in three of his last five Tests, including two against England while he has 26 tries in 41 NRL games across the last two seasons.
Tips
Best: England +2.5 ($1.90)
Next: England 1-12 ($3.05)
Tryscorer: Herbie Farnworth ($12 First, $2.55 Anytime)
SGM: Herbie Farnworth Try/Tolutau Koula Try ($8.18)
This is the worst Fiji team to come to a World Cup since 2000 with the proud Bati missing a host of players including Jahream Bula, Viliame Kikau, the Fainu brothers and a host of others. Val Holmes is surprisingly missing from the Cook Islands team this week but this is a game the Kukis will fancy their chances of winning. KL Iro leads a solid team that includes the likes of Davvy Moale, Mason Teague, Esan Masters and Reuben Porter. Three of the last four between these two have been decided by 20 or fewer. The plus is way too big in a game Cook Islands can win. Esom Ioka finished second in the Queensland Cup tryscoring standings with 22 in what was a super year for the Kukis fullback. Caleb Navale has scored in two of his last five NRL games and in two of his seven Tests.
Tips
Best: Cook Islands +16.5 ($1.90)
Next: Cook Islands Win ($4.25)
Tryscorer: Esom Ioka ($16 First, $2.55 Anytime)
SGM: Esom Ioka Try/Caleb Navale Try ($15.07)