The IRL Rugby League World Cup kicked off with a slashing weekend of matches that featured standout displays from Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga, Sua Fa'alogo and Isaiya Katoa.

After the Kangaroos and Kiwis launched the tournament with an instant classic at Allianz Stadium we saw Samoa flex their muscle and Papua New Guinea topple Lebanon.

Tonga and England turned on a ripping contest in Perth with the class of Katoa and the power of Haumole Olakau'atu ensuring the red army would go home happy after a 30-12 win.

On a sun-drenched Sunday in Newcastle it was the Fiji Bati exploding out of the blocks to lead 28-0 at the break before Cook Islands fought back to share the spoils two tries apiece in the second term.

The Bati were led by a double from Solomone Saukure and mega run metres from Waqa Blake (188m), Caleb Navale (202m) and Sunia Turuva (169m).

Fiji's 40-12 win takes them to the top of Pool A after Round 1 with the Kangaroos in second place and New Zealand third.

A new-look Kangaroos outfit will face the Bati in Brisbane in Round 2 in a clash that promises to have Suncorp Stadium rocking.

Samoa sit atop the combined Pool B and C thanks to a +74 differential with Papua New Guinea (+24) in second place and Tonga (+12) in third.

The Kumuls welcome Samoa to Port Moresby in Round 2 for a crucial clash while Tonga head to Sydney to face Lebanon.

Australia v New Zealand

Thursday, October 15, 8.05pm AEDT at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Australia 24 bt New Zealand 22 - 15-Oct-2026

Samoa v France

Friday, October 16, 5.45pm AEDT at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Samoa 78 bt France 4 - 16-Oct-2026

PNG v Lebanon

Saturday, October 17, 3.25pm AEDT at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea 42 bt Lebanon 18 - 16 Oct-2026

England v Tonga

Saturday, October 17, 8.05pm AEDT at HBF Park, Perth

Tonga 30 bt Enland 12 - 17-Oct-2026

Fiji v Cook Islands

Sunday, October 18, 4.05pm AEDT at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Fiji 40 bt Cook Islands 12 - 18-Oct-2026