Key events
The NRL’s form referee, Adam Gee, is in charge of tonight’s proceedings.
Conditions: The south east of Australia is experiencing an unseasonal cold snap so tonight’s temperature will be around 15C, but made to feel much colder thanks to a serious southerly. We saw last night how much a strong wind can impact a game so both teams will need to be wise to the conditions and adjust accordingly.
For anyone watching this match in Australia, I hope you’ve enjoyed Trent Robinson’s punditry as much as I have. The Roosters coach has been a superb TV analyst, offering intelligent insight delivered matter of factly.
Tonight’s victors will take on New Zealand in next Sunday’s world cup final. The Kiwis look the most accomplished side in the competition and last night downed Tonga with Jahrome Hughes pulling the strings and Kalyn Ponga showing his class just three weeks after fracturing his left arm.
The crowd is building for the second match of the day. Earlier Australia’s Jillaroos reached their fifth consecutive World Cup final, but they were pushed hard by Fiji Bulikula.
Like a US midterm electoral map it is a sea of blue inside Allianz Stadium this evening. It is a sellout and the vast majority of fans are here to cheer on Samoa, not the nominal home team, Australia.
Team News
Australia: Kevin Walters revealed his hand last weekend so it is no surprise to see Reece Walsh starting ahead of James Tedesco at fullback, and Tom Dearden beating Sam Walker in the race for a starting berth in the halves. Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray are fit enough to make the bench, where they will join Ethan Strange, who retains his place after an eye-catching cameo against Cook Islands.
Samoa: Just one enforced change for Ben Gardiner with Ronald Volkman replacing the injured Chanel Harris-Tavita at five-eighth. The Eel came on for the Warrior against Tonga after the starting No 6 pulled his hamstring kicking for goal.
Samoa XIII
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Brian To’o, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Sua Fa’alogo, 6. Ronald Volkman, 7. Jarome Luai (c), 8. Francis Molo, 14. Jazz Tevaga, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Jermaine McEwen, 13. Francis Manuleleua
Interchange: 9. Benaiah Ioelu, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Shawn Blore, 17. Ata Mariota, 18. Clayton Faulalo, 19. Deine Mariner
Australia XIII
1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c).
Interchange: 8. Patrick Carrigan, 14. Ethan Strange, 16. Cameron Murray, 17. Reuben Cotter, 18. Latrell Mitchell, 21. Sam Walker
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v Samoa in the second semi-final of the 2026 men’s Rugby League World Cup. Kick-off at Allianz Stadium in Sydney is from 8.05pm local time (9.05am GMT).
The penultimate fixture of a thoroughly entertaining tournament will determine who will start the 2026 men’s rugby league world cup final against New Zealand as underdogs. It would be among the greatest upsets in the sport’s history if Australia are not on the bill to face the Kiwis in Brisbane next weekend but the Kangaroos have yet to hit any kind of form and they will be facing a fiercely motivated foe in Samoa.
To say Australia’s world cup so far has been underwhelming but would be an understatement. Kevin Walters’ squad and team selection has invited criticism, his forward pack has been well beaten twice, and matches have been won by moments of individual brilliance as opposed to methodical representative football. If the strategy has to been to ease into the contest after a gruelling NRL season then tonight is when the shackles have to be removed.
Samoa boast a side studded with State of Origin matchwinners, many of whom would command places in the current Australian line-up. And they will have a point to prove after falling narrowly to Tonga last time out in a match where they had enough chances to win.
They have the power up front to rattle Australia, and the strike out wide to finish them off. The challenge will be whether the spine can control proceedings when the stakes are so high.
I’ll be back with final team lists and more shortly. Please send me your emails and keep me company throughout the evening. The address is jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com.
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