{"id":33053,"date":"2026-10-13T15:39:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T02:39:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/?p=33053"},"modified":"2026-10-13T15:39:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T02:39:18","slug":"2026-rugby-league-world-cup-mens-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2026\/10\/2026-rugby-league-world-cup-mens-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Rugby League World Cup: Men\u2019s Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The World Cup is here, and Nick Tedeschi runs the rule over all 10 teams in the men\u2019s competition.<\/p>\n\n\n

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AUSTRALIA<\/div>\n
$1.80<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Key In: <\/strong>James Tedesco earns an international recall after three years in the wilderness.
\nKey Out: <\/strong>Dally M Medal winner Nathan Cleary is out after his brutal injury in the NRL preliminary final.
\nSelection To Watch: <\/strong>All eyes will be on the No.7 jersey with little between Tom Dearden, Mitchell Moses and potential debutant Sam Walker.
\nPlayer To Watch:<\/strong> Latrell Mitchell has not worn the green and gold in four years but has typically shone in the representative arena.
\nCoaching:<\/strong> Kevin Walters won the Ashes last year and has taken the Broncos to an NRL Grand Final but is limited.
\nStrength: <\/strong>Australia have the biggest talent pool to pick from and it shows, particularly with their spine.
\nWeakness: <\/strong>Selecting only two legitimate wingers in the squad gives Walters limited flexibility out wide.
\nTop Tryscorer: <\/strong>Tom Trbojevic should play every game on the back of a team that should dominate.
\nKey Stat: <\/strong>Australia has won 10 of the 11 World Cups since 1975.
\nHow To Bet: <\/strong>Australia are an absolutely outstanding price to win the World Cup at $1.75, something that can be bet with complete confidence. Games will need to be assessed on a game by game basis but they look over the odds against the Kiwis in the opening game.
\nLikely Record: <\/strong>Will advance from Pool A, likely unbeaten, and it would be stunning if a team other than the Kangaroos lifted the Paul Barriere Trophy.<\/p>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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COOK ISLANDS<\/div>\n
$501<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Key In: <\/strong>Valentine Holmes had a disappointing year for the Dragons but brings a wealth of rep experience to a team in desperate need of it.
\nKey Out: <\/strong>Xavier Willison choosing New Zealand over the Kukis is a huge blow for the nation.
\nSelection To Watch:<\/strong> The fullback slot is worth watching with Holmes expected to battle the lively Esom Ioka for the No.1 jersey.
\nPlayer To Watch:<\/strong> Peter Ulberg enjoyed a good finish to the year with Toulouse, scoring eight tries in his final 11 games.
\nCoaching: <\/strong>Karmichael Hunt has done nothing in seven games of the Cook Islands and his Souths Logan stint has seen him post a losing record the last three years.
\nStrength: <\/strong>Cook Islands have some exciting backs who can find their way to the tryline.
\nWeakness: <\/strong>The Kukis halves lack the playmaking quality and experience to set the team up for success.
\nTop Tryscorer: <\/strong>Peter Ulberg brings quality form into the World Cup.
\nKey Stat: <\/strong>In the last 10 years the Kuki\u2019 only wins have come over minnows South Africa, USA and Wales.
\nHow To Bet:<\/strong> Cook Islands will likely get thumped by Australia and New Zealand but given the state of the Fiji squad they are setting up as a plus bet in their opener.
\nLikely Record: <\/strong>Could potentially beat Fiji but won\u2019t be advancing from Pool A.<\/p>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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ENGLAND<\/div>\n
$17<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Key In: <\/strong>England have tended to struggle with their halves against the might of Australia but young Rooster Hugo Savala has shown more than enough in the NRL to suggest he will not be overawed.
\nKey Out:<\/strong> Leaving out the versatile 2025 Man of Steel winner Jake Connor is complete and utter madness.
\nSelection To Watch: <\/strong>Left wing selection will be fascinating with Zach Eckersley and Matty Ashton neck-and-neck for the gig.
\nPlayer To Watch:<\/strong> Jez Litten was one of England\u2019s best against Australia 12 months back and coming off the bench in the No.14 role will again be a key x-factor for England.
\nCoaching: <\/strong>Brian McDermott takes over from the stubborn Shaun Wane. He built good records with Leeds and Toronto before coming to the NRL as an assistant.
\nStrength: <\/strong>England have some genuine talent on their edges with Junior Nsemba and Kai Pearce-Paul outstanding talents and Herbie Farnworth arguably the best centre in the game.
\nWeakness: <\/strong>The ability of their middles to win against the elite teams is once again the concern for England.
\nTop Tryscorer: <\/strong>Dom Young is an elite tryscorer and that has carried over to the international arena with nine tries in eight games.
\n<\/strong>Key Stat: <\/strong>England have 12 players – over half their squad – with NRL experience.
\nHow To Bet:<\/strong> England are getting out to bettable odds for their opener while they will likely be an excellent price in their final pool game against PNG. If they play the Kiwis in the semis, they are likely a smash price.
\nLikely Record: <\/strong>England are one of three teams in the mix for the top two spots in Pool B\/C.They have a better team than Samoa and some advantages in their opening game against Tonga. It would not shock if England progressed to the final though a semi-final exit seems more likely.<\/p>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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FIJI<\/div>\n
$501<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Key In:<\/strong> Jacob Saifiti will be sneering for a big World Cup after missing Newcastle\u2019s magical finals run through suspension.
\nKey Out:<\/strong> The Fainu brothers pushed hard to play for Fiji and their absence is felt as all three would be starting in this limited team.
\nSelection To Watch: <\/strong>It will be fascinating to see if Mick Potter uses Api Koroisau in his favoured hooking role or puts him into the halves out of necessity as has been done before at international level.
\nPlayer To Watch: <\/strong>Solomone Saukuru looked a very likely prospect debuting for the Tigers late in the year.
\nCoaching:<\/strong> Mick Potter returns to the Fiji job having coached the Bati in 2016-17 to a 5-3 record including a run to the 2017 World Cup semis. He is a major upgrade on Wise Kativerata.
\nStrength: <\/strong>The Bati have some tryscorers out wide led by young gun Solomone Saukuru.
\nWeakness: <\/strong>The spine is not going to be able to compete with the Kangaroos and Kiwis and is only marginally stronger than the Kukis.
\nTop Tryscorer: <\/strong>Ronald Philitoga comes off a season scoring 18 tries in 19 games for the Northern Pride will fancy his chances of crossing against the Kukis.
\nKey Stat: <\/strong>Fiji and New Zealand have met at the last two World Cups with Fiji winning in 2017 and the Kiwis sneaking home by six at the 2022 World Cup.
\nHow To Bet:<\/strong> The market has Fiji wrong and they can be bet against in every game at the line, most likely.
\nLikely Record: <\/strong>Fiji go in heavily favoured against Cook Islands though that is a game they can lose while they are unlikely to beat Australia or New Zealand.<\/p>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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FRANCE<\/div>\n
$1001<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Key In:<\/strong> Latrell Siegwalt is the only French player currently in the NRL and will play a key role for Les Chanticleers this campaign.
\nKey Out: <\/strong>Justin Sangare was a surprising omission from Laurent Frayssionus\u2019 team.
\nSelection To Watch: <\/strong>France are blessed with three excellent tryscoring wingers in Leo Darrelatour, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet and Fouad Yaha so it will be compelling viewing to see who gets the call and who misses out.
\nPlayer To Watch:<\/strong> Arthur Mourgue is an excellent fullback who won a premiership with Hull KR as well as playing in the World Club Championship win over Brisbane.
\nCoaching: <\/strong>Laurent Frayssionus did a solid job during his five-year stint with Catalans while Les Chanticleers have shown plenty of heart under his leadership.
\nStrength: <\/strong>The French team have plenty of toughness in their pack and won\u2019t take a backward step against anyone.
\nWeakness: <\/strong>France just lack the class and seasoning to genuinely compete against teams stacked with NRL players.
\nTop Tryscorer: <\/strong>Leo Darrelatour scored 13 tries in 14 games for Catalans this season.Key Stat: <\/strong>France have lost their last nine against teams playing at this World Cup by at least 20 points.
\nHow To Bet: <\/strong>Be careful of underestimating Les Chanticleers with the plus a likely bet in all three of their games if it gets big enough.
\nLikely Record: <\/strong>Reducing the World Cup to 10 teams means France will likely leave the 2026 World Cup winless.<\/p>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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LEBANON<\/div>\n
$751<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Key In:<\/strong> Jacob Kiraz spent much of the year injured for Canterbury so his inclusion is a boon for the Cedars.
\nKey Out:<\/strong> Mitchell Moses has been a key part of the Lebanon World Cup campaigns in 2017 and 2022 and was set to play this time around before the injury to Nathan Cleary saw him selected for Australia.
\nSelection To Watch: <\/strong>There will be plenty hoping to catch a glimpse of young Bulldogs halfback Alex Conti, who is hoping to win the No.7 jersey and make his international debut.
\nPlayer To Watch: <\/strong>Mohammed Alameddine has long been touted as a future start of the Eels but has endured a difficult year after being stood down by the club due to safety concerns because he is related to members of the Alameddine crime family.
\nCoaching: <\/strong>Michael Cheika has a decorated record in rugby union and did an excellent job leading the Cedars to the quarter finals at the last World Cup. He was an assistant at the premiership winning Roosters this season.
\nStrength: <\/strong>Lebanon have a hard-nosed and experienced pack that will lay a good foundation in all three of their games.
\nWeakness: <\/strong>Like most minnows, a lack of class and experience in the spine hurts.
\nTop Tryscorer: <\/strong>Jason Saab is a pure tryscorer and a key part of the Cedars tactics will be kicking for him.Key Stat: <\/strong>Lebanon have covered every game across the last two World Cups.
\nHow To Bet: <\/strong>It is hard to ignore Lebanon\u2019s cover record and the professionalism Michael Cheika has brought.
\nLikely Record: <\/strong>Lebanon have the biggest variance of almost any team. Lebanon could win two games or they could go winless. Suspect they will finish with a 2-1 record.<\/p>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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NEW ZEALAND<\/div>\n
$3.00<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Key In: <\/strong>Kalyn Ponga is a runner for the Golden Boot this year and is just a monstrous inclusion to make his Kiwis debut.
\nKey Out: <\/strong>Phoenix Crossland has been a regular in the Kiwis team but his lengthy suspension following his preliminary final send off rubbed him out of the World Cup.
\nSelection To Watch: <\/strong>Dane Gagai, Jamayne Isaako and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstaad are likely fighting it out for two spots.
\nPlayer To Watch: <\/strong>Casey McLean is an out-and-out star in the making and he has tended to thrive on the international stage.
\nCoaching: <\/strong>Stacey Jones had a rough start to his international career with a poor 2024 Pacific Championships but he turned it around last year with a convincing series.
\nStrength: <\/strong>No team comes into the World Cup with better middles than the Kiwis, led by the two Dally M Props of the Year and the Dally M Lock of the Year.
\nWeakness: <\/strong>The Kiwis are desperately short of edges in their squad, particularly with Briton Nikora coming off one of his worst seasons.
\nTop Tryscorer: <\/strong>Ronaldo Mulitalo is an elite tryscorer and should benefit from Kalyn Ponga\u2019s left-edge preference.
\nKey Stat: <\/strong>New Zealand have failed to make the final in the last two World Cups.
\nHow To Bet: <\/strong>The Kiwis are far too short in futures betting and while they are every chance of beating Australia in the opener are likely not good enough to get Australia in the final, particularly at the price.
\nLikely Record: <\/strong>New Zealand are certainties to advance to the semis but are no certainty to advance to the final.<\/p>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA<\/div>\n
$401<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Key In: <\/strong>Veteran Nene MacDonald is the most capped Kumul of all-time and the heart-and-soul of the team.
\nKey Out: <\/strong>The withdrawals of Alex Johnston and Cooper Bai were far from ideal but the decision of Lachlan Lam to undergo wrist surgery is a huge blow for a nation short on halves.
\nSelection To Watch:<\/strong> The battle for the two centre spots is wide open with Zac Laybutt, Nene MacDonald, Rodrick Tai and Josh Feledy all chances.
\nPlayer To Watch: <\/strong>Edwin Ipape is an absolutely elite hooker who has long been one of the Kumuls\u2019 very best.
\nCoaching: <\/strong>Jason Demetriou did a poor job at South Sydney and has been underwhelming as PNG boss. He did come off a season where the London Broncos dominated the Championship with a team and relevant spend of a mid-tier Super League side.
\nStrength: <\/strong>There is no team more committed physically than the Kumuls.
\nWeakness: <\/strong>PNG have historically struggled to play within structure and against structure, piling on a lot on a lot of pressure on their halves.
\nTop Tryscorer: <\/strong>Dudley Dotoi has 62 tries in 54 games for Townsville in the Queensland Cup and is completely electric when he gets the ball.
\nKey Stat: <\/strong>Papua New Guinea have won 12 of 13 in Port Moresby since the 2009 Pacific Cup.
\nHow To Bet: <\/strong>PNG look like an early lay in their opener but need to be respected getting a big plus in their final two.
\nLikely Record: <\/strong>Papua New Guinea have been done no favours at all with the draw with an elimination in the group stage looming.<\/p>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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SAMOA<\/div>\n
$12<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Key In: <\/strong>Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns to Samoa for the first time since 2022 after a spell representing the Kangaroos.
\nKey Out:<\/strong> Samoa have a long list of outs including Terrell May, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Simi Sasagi but no loss hurts more than Payne Haas after the star forward committed to Toa Samoa but was ruled out after undergoing surgery.
\nSelection To Watch: <\/strong>The best halves pairing Samoa have are Chanel Harris-Tavita and Clayton Faulalo but it will be interesting to see if Ben Gardiner goes with them or feels the pressure to play Jarome Luai.
\nPlayer To Watch: <\/strong>Clayton Faulalo enjoyed a breakout year with Manly and the versatile back is set to make his international debut this World Cup.
\nCoaching: <\/strong>Ben Gardiner has a poor 1-6 record as head coach of Samoa including a poor tour of England in 2024. With expectations high after a final in 2022, Gardiner is a questionable coach to lead Samoa.
\nStrength: <\/strong>Samoa have a white-hot back five with plenty of tries in them led by Tabuai-Fidow and Brian To\u2019o.
\nWeakness: <\/strong>The hooker situation is bad but it is the pack that is most concerning.
\nTop Tryscorer: <\/strong>Greg Marzhew had a sensational year for Newcastle with 25 tries in 27 games and brings great form into his first World Cup.
\nKey Stat: <\/strong>Samoa are 1-15 against Australia\/New ZealandEngland since the 2013 World Cup.
\nHow To Bet: <\/strong>Samoa look significantly weaker than at the 2022 World Cup and look a take-on team.
\nLikely Record: <\/strong>Samoa should open up with wins against France and PNG though their ability to get through to the semis likely sits with their final pool game against Tonga, a match they will likely be an underdog in.<\/p>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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TONGA<\/div>\n
$12<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Key In: <\/strong>Robert Toia made the very late decision to play for Tonga despite Australia making a play for him.
\nKey Out: <\/strong>Isaiah Iongi would have made a real play for the fullback spot had he been healthy.
\nSelection To Watch:<\/strong> Tolutau Koula absolutely plays but whether he is used at fullback, in the centres or at five-eighth is drawing plenty of interest.
\nPlayer To Watch: <\/strong>Leka Halasima looks a generational talent and he is set for a big World Cup where Tonga are a very real chance of going all the way.
\nCoaching: <\/strong>Kristian Woolf endured plenty of controversy after the cluster than led to Eli Katoa ending up in a coma but he has built a good situation at the Dolphins and Tonga have a nice record on his watch.
\nStrength: <\/strong>Tonga have the most dynamic pack in the entire World Cup, particularly on the edges.
\nWeakness: <\/strong>There is a lack of explosiveness in the spine with Lehi Hopoate, Isaiah Katoa and Soni Luke all solid but unspectacular players.
\nTop Tryscorer: <\/strong>Halasima is a genuine beast with the ball who can break tackles and score tries at will.
\nKey Stat: <\/strong>Tonga have won nine of their last 11 World Cup games.
\nHow To Bet: <\/strong>Tonga are value in the futures odds.
\nLikely Record: <\/strong>Tonga face the most difficult schedule of any team, needing to beat both England and Samoa, but if they do so they are talented enough to win it all.<\/p>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Men’s World Cup Grand Final Winner Betting Odds<\/caption>
Team<\/th>\nOdds<\/th>\n<\/thead>\n
Australia<\/td>\n1.80<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Zealand<\/td>\n3.00<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Samoa<\/td>\n12.00<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tonga XIII<\/td>\n12.00<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
England<\/td>\n17.00<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Papua New Guinea<\/td>\n401.00<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fiji<\/td>\n501.00<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cook Islands<\/td>\n501.00<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lebanon<\/td>\n751.00<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
France<\/td>\n1001.00<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Men's World Cup odds correct as of 13\/10\/2026 and subject to change. <\/p><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The World Cup is here, and Nick Tedeschi runs the rule over all 10 teams in the men\u2019s competition. Key In: James Tedesco earns an international recall after three years in the wilderness. Key Out: Dally M Medal winner Nathan Cleary is out after his brutal injury in the NRL preliminary final. Selection To Watch: All eyes will be on the No.7 jersey with little between Tom Dearden, Mitchell Moses and potential debutant Sam Walker. Player To Watch: Latrell Mitchell has not worn the green and gold in four years but has typically shone in the representative arena. Coaching: Kevin…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":33065,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,733],"tags":[575],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-33053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugby-league","category-rugby-league-tips","tag-rugby-league-tips"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"13\/10\/2026","event_country":"New Zealand"},"yoast_head":"\n2026 Rugby League World Cup: Men's Preview - TAB NZ Punters Lounge<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2026\/10\/2026-rugby-league-world-cup-mens-preview\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_NZ\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2026 Rugby League World Cup: Men\u2019s Preview - TAB NZ Punters Lounge\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The World Cup is here, and Nick Tedeschi runs the rule over all 10 teams in the men\u2019s competition. Key In: James Tedesco earns an international recall after three years in the wilderness. Key Out: Dally M Medal winner Nathan Cleary is out after his brutal injury in the NRL preliminary final. Selection To Watch: All eyes will be on the No.7 jersey with little between Tom Dearden, Mitchell Moses and potential debutant Sam Walker. Player To Watch: Latrell Mitchell has not worn the green and gold in four years but has typically shone in the representative arena. 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