Australia take on Fiji in the Rugby League World Cup 2026 at Lang Park in Brisbane on Sunday, October 25. Kickoff is 7.05pm AEST local time in Brisbane, which works out to 5.05am ET in the US, 9.05am GMT in the UK and 8.05pm AEDT in Sydney.
It's a Pool A meeting between the tournament's two unbeaten teams so far. The Kangaroos needed a Jack Bostock hat-trick to come from behind and beat New Zealand 24-22 last week, while Fiji ran out 40-12 winners after building a 28-0 half-time lead in their previous game. The two sides have met eight times in competitive rugby league, and Australia has won every one of them, including a 42-8 result at the last World Cup, in October 2022.
Kevin Walters has reshuffled his squad for this one. James Tedesco captains Australia for the first time since 2023, and four players make their World Cup debuts from the start: Bradman Best, Sam Walker, Blayke Brailey and David Fifita. Fiji captain Apisai Koroisau leads a Bati side built around center Solomone Saukuru, who scored twice in the win over their last opponents, and Dolphins forward Kurt Donoghoe, who will face several NRL clubmates on the other side of the field.
Where to watch
Country | Channel or service | Free or paid --- | --- | --- Australia | 7plus (Channel 7) | Free, with an Australian postcode United States | Premier Sports | Paid, $25 for a full tournament pass New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ (Sky Sport 1) | Paid, NZ$29.99 per day or NZ$59.99 per month via Sky Sport Now United Kingdom | Premier Sports 2 | Paid, £18.99 per month or £150 per year Canada | Premier Sports | Paid, CA$29.99 per month
India isn't listed among the broadcasters named for this fixture.
Free options
Australia is the one place watching this match costs nothing. Every game of the Rugby League World Cup is streaming free on 7plus, and all a viewer needs is an account registered with a valid Australian postcode. There's no equivalent free option listed for the US, UK, Canada or New Zealand, where Premier Sports and Sky Sport NZ hold the rights behind a paywall.
What to expect
Fiji arrives having proven itself the improved side many expected before the tournament started, and a win over Australia would be the Bati's first ever against the Kangaroos in eight attempts. Australia, for its part, looked shaky against New Zealand before Bostock's hat-trick turned the game, and Walters has clearly decided a reshuffled lineup and a new captain are worth the risk against a Fiji team playing with nothing to lose. Both broadcasters in Australia and New Zealand also carry streaming through their standard mobile apps, alongside the official Rugby League World Cup social channels for updates once the match kicks off.
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