Hughes, Ponga steer Kiwis into first World Cup final since 2013

New Zealand has marched into the World Cup final on the back of a clinical second-half performance to beat Tonga 34-10 in difficult conditions in Newcastle on Saturday night.

The Kiwis fought back from a 10-6 deficit late in the first half and put it together when it mattered, while riding the advantage of wind gusts upwards of 60km/h.

Kalyn Ponga showed no hesitation in his return from a broken arm and it paid immediate dividends, the fullback attacking both sides of the ruck in New Zealand’s first set before setting up Briton Nikora for the opening try on a short side play.

The two teams settled into an arm wrestle and it was the Kiwis winning the middle of the ruck, but Isaiya Katoa’s kicking game with the breeze behind him kept Tonga in the fight.

Tonga eventually earned a chance to camp on the New Zealand line but they struggled to find a way through from close quarters and lacked polish on last play.

Fittingly, it was a stunning long-range try that eventually got Tonga their first points.

After a last-tackle bomb from Jahrome Hughes was allowed to bounce, Jojo Fifita took the ball and swerved through a broken defensive line before finding Tui Lolohea alongside him.

The ball moved out to speedster Tolu Koula, who powered past the cover defence, allowing him to draw and pass to Fifita to finish the movement under the sticks.

Demitric Vaimauga had visions of adding to the lead soon after when he picked up a loose ball, floated across field and showed it inside and outside before slicing through, only for Ponga to stop him metres short of the line with a superb one-on-one tackle.

It didn’t hold Tonga off for long as they received a scrum after the following play, then shifted to their left off the back of it to put Fifita in for his second to give his side a 10-6 lead after 32 minutes.

But it was New Zealand going to half-time with a 12-10 lead after a late try to Dane Gagai when Lehi Hopoate failed to clean up a Hughes grubber under pressure from chaser Ponga.

The second half started at a frantic pace to match the gale that had whipped up behind the Kiwis, with Tonga making multiple breaks through the middle and New Zealand returning in an end-to-end opening.

The blustery conditions were causing all sorts of problems for Tonga, completely nullifying Katoa on last tackle and causing several kicks to fly over Tonga fullback Hopoate’s head, gifting the Kiwis ideal field position.

Casey McLean ultimately put another exclamation mark on his stunning World Cup campaign with a piece of individual brilliance to extend New Zealand’s lead in the 48th minute and Hughes added his name to the scoresheet five minutes later with his own dummy and run and suddenly the score had blown out to 24-10.

The Kiwis’ World Cup final berth was all but sealed when Xavier Willison crashed over in the 70th minute before Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad downed an Erin Clark cross-field chip on the buzzer.

New Zealand's only injury concern going into the final will be an ankle issue for prop Naufahu Whyte, who left the contest early in the second half and did not return.

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As seen on nrl.com

The Kiwi Ferns put on a dominant display in Newcastle, shutting out Fetu Samoa whilst they slotted seven thrilling tries.

Canberra Raiders Mackenzie Wiki opened the scoring early, dotting down in the corner, whilst Stacey Waaka notched another off a chip through from Co-Captain Raecene McGregor. The duo successfully ran the same play again in the second half for another four points.

Kiwi Ferns Head Coach Rick Henry said: “That was a really good Samoan team that played tonight; I thought they were great during the World Cup and deserve credit.

“As the game got on, I felt that we got better and better. We found our rhythm and our groove and were able to score some really good tries towards the back of that second half.”

In the second 35, Warriors representatives Mele Hufanga, Kaiyah Atai and Waaka each crossed the chalk. McGregor then dove under the posts for another try, which Chantay Kiria-Ratu successfully converted to bring the final score to 32-0.

Influential centre Stacey Waaka earned Player of the Match with her second hat-trick performance of the Rugby League World Cup.

“Whenever the ball goes near her, you know you’ve got a chance of something,” said Henry of the rugby union convert.

The Kiwi Ferns now progress to the Rugby League World Cup Final in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November. 

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Tries: STACEY WAAKA 3 (25', 44', 64'), RAECENE MCGREGOR (67'), KAIYAH ATAI (60'), MELE HUFANGA (58'), MACKENZIE WIKI (2')

Conversions: CHANTAY KIRIA-RATU 2/7 (29%)

Fullback Kalyn Ponga will start for the New Zealand Kiwis in tonight’s Rugby League World Cup semifinal against Tonga at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle (8.05pm kick-off local time; 10.05pm NZT).

After being included in jersey #21 in the 22-man squad named on Tuesday, he moved onto the six-man bench in the updated side released at the 24-hour deadline last night.

Now, 90 minutes out from kick-off, he is confirmed at fullback as he returns from breaking his left arm in his Test debut against the Kangaroos in Sydney on October 15.

His inclusion results in Keano Kini, who started at fullback in the wins over the Cook Islands and Fiji, moving to the six-man bench. Also joining the extended bench is hooker Phoenix Crossland in jersey #22.

The three players omitted from the 22-man squad are Scott Sorensen, Leo Thompson and Tanner Stowers-Smith.

In a forced change to the starting lineup, utility Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was named on the left wing to replace the suspended Ronaldo Mulitalo.

Other than Ponga and Nicoll-Klokstad, the rest of the side is unchanged from the one used in last Saturday’s 78-0 victory over the Fiji Bati in Robina, a record winning margin for the Kiwis topping the 74-0 win over Tonga at Carlaw Park in 1999 and the 84-10 trouncing of the Cook Islands in Reading at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

The Kiwis face a Tonga side which comes into the match with three straight wins over England 30-12, Lebanon 36-0 and Toa Samoa 20-18.

After being edged out 24-22 by the Kangaroos at Allianz Stadium in the opening match of the tournament, the Kiwis have scored at a point a minute in racking up 160 points against the Cook Islands (82-16) and Fiji (78-0).

Leading the way in the points-scoring stakes have been centre Casey McLean and winger Jamayne Isaako.

McLean has seven tries in the three games played, including four against Fiji. Scoring in every Test he has played since his debut in 2024, the 20-year-old already has a total of 15 tries in just seven internationals, only seven short of Manu Vatuvei’s New Zealand record of 22.

High-scoring Issako is closing in on Shaun Johnson’s all-time points-scoring mark of 225 in Tests.

He claimed the record for most goals in a Test for the Kiwis with 13 against the Cook Islands and then repeated it against Fiji to take his career tally for New Zealand to 215. In this World Cup alone, he has 74 points in three games, including 31 goals from 32 attempts.

With a premiership ring and Dally M Prop of the Year gong already on his CV, powerhouse Kiwi Naufahu Whyte is daring to dream of adding a World Cup title to his haul.

And the 24-year-old, who racked up 208 run metres off the bench against Fiji on Saturday, has even joked about retiring if New Zealand can claim another World Cup to go with their 2008 success.

“Lifting that final trophy would just be the cherry on top for me," Whyte told NRL.com.

“I've joked around about it [retirement], being like, 'Oh, yeah, I think that's me after this and just retire at 24 but nah... international you know, it's the best of the best and there's no easy games.

“There’s no easy way out, coming with next two games and we honestly just got to get back to the drawing board, work on the things that we know we can improve on and just go after it."

When it comes to 'going after it', few have done it better in 2026, with Whyte dominating through the middle in the Roosters' grand final win over Newcastle and backing that up on the world stage in recent weeks.

And he gives plenty of the credit for his blistering form to his fellow Kiwi big men, who have laid a foundation for Casey McLean, Keano Kini and Dane Gagai to run wild.

“I still pinch myself to this day, being in the same room alongside these guys," he said.

“There are a lot of boys that I looked up to coming throughout the grades and it just buzzes me out that I get to play alongside them.

“You know even though I’m a premiership winner, Dally M prop, all that kind of stuff, I always think like, 'nah, I'm not as good as I think I am'.

“I've only had a good couple of years these guys [James Fisher-Harris, Joseph Tapine, Moses Leota] have been having those kinds of years for many years now and consistently too.

“I ask them what it takes to be a top-tier prop and the things that I can work on to make my game better.

“There’s no better props and middle forwards to learn from, than the boys that's in this room.”

Whyte and his Kiwi teammates now turn their attention to a showdown with the powerhouse Tonga pack in Newcastle.

“You know at the end of the day our job as forwards, as middles, as props, we lay the platform, so it allows the edges and outside backs to do their thing," he said.

“We know that as middles if we can dominate and own that middle then we can win the game.

“It’s my job and it’s not really anything too difficult or hard. It's just own the middle, run hard, tackle hard."

As seen on nrl.com

Mackenzie Wiki has embraced a team first mentality in her first IRL World Cup with the Kiwi Ferns, saying she would even follow the footsteps of her father Ruben who transitioned from the backs to the front row.

“I've always made a joke that if you want me in the middle, I'll go in the middle,” Wiki said.

For now however, she looks right at home playing in the wing in a switch from her regular position of centre where she scored 10 tries in 13 appearances for the Raiders this season.

“It was a massive change from centre to wing, but I've always been told wherever you get put, to play your heart out,” Wiki told NRL.com.

“But I've found a little home at the winger spot and I'm I enjoying it.”

Ferns coach Ricky Henry praised his outside back's performance post his side's 40-12 win over PNG Orchids on Saturday night after she registered two tries and one try assist, having now scored four tries in two appearances.

“She’s been awesome,” Henry said.

“Turned up first week and unfortunately Shanice Parker got injured and she (Wiki) came in [to camp].

“She’s been asking a lot of questions, she’s built a bit of a combination with Stacey Waaka on that right edge and we’ve got something going there so really, really happy with that.

“She’s a quality player, she was unfortunate to miss our squad initially and she's come in and made every post a winner.

“So [if she] keeps playing like that and keeps scoring tries and making breaks and that sort of stuff, we’ll keep her in the team.”

Although it isn’t her first World Cup experience - having represented Cook Islands in 2021 - Wiki has still been turning to her club teammates in Zahara Temara and Leianne Tufuga for guidance.

“Those two I'm very close with back home in Canberra, so I lean on them quite a lot,” Wiki said.

“But the rest of the girls, they're all so good and I don't really have a group where I like go to more because everyone's all open arms, it's been such a great sisterhood.

“Last World Cup, four years ago, I was a full-on rookie to rugby league and it was a very different camp from this one.

“Obviously the Kiwi Ferns have been in it for a while, and I know Cook Islands have been there as well, but it’s (camp) still good, but different in their own ways.

“I love the culture of Cook Islands … I love representing my Cook Islands culture for my grandfather and for my mum.

“But it's also nice to represent New Zealand from where I grew up and where my parents both were born.”

The Ferns return to the World Cup semi finals on Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium facing off against the flying Fetu Samoa side, a challenge that Wiki is ready to embrace.

“They're going to bring everything, they're such a great strong squad,” Wiki said.

“They’ve got a really good connection in their team and I know we do too [so] it's going to be a great battle out there.

“I know they're going to bring out their all, but I know that we are as well, but I think it's going to be a good match.”

As seen on nrl.com

Hometown players Kalyn Ponga and Phoenix Crossland have been named in the New Zealand Kiwis’ extended squad for their Rugby League World Cup semifinal against Tonga at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday (8.05pm kick-off local time; 10.05pm NZT).

Fullback Ponga has been selected in jersey #21 as he bids to make his return to the side after breaking his left arm in his Test debut against the Kangaroos in Sydney on October 15.

Hooker Crossland is listed in jersey #22 after being called into the squad last night as a replacement for injured second rower Jacob Laban, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

In a forced change to the starting lineup, Kiwi head coach Stacey Jones has selected utility Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad on the left wing to replace the suspended Ronaldo Mulitalo.

The rest of the side named is unchanged from the one used in last Saturday’s 78-0 victory over the Fiji Bati in Robina, a record winning margin for the Kiwis topping the 74-0 win over Tonga at Carlaw Park in 1999 and the 84-10 trouncing of the Cook Islands in Reading at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

The Kiwis face a Tonga side which comes into the match with three straight wins over England 30-12, Lebanon 36-0 and Toa Samoa 20-18.

After being edged out 24-22 by the Kangaroos at Allianz Stadium in the opening match of the tournament, the Kiwis have scored at a point a minute in racking up 160 points against the Cook Islands (82-16) and Fiji (78-0).

Leading the way in the points-scoring stakes have been centre Casey McLean and winger Jamayne Isaako.

McLean has seven tries in the three games played, including four against Fiji. Scoring in every Test he has played since his debut in 2024, the 20-year-old already has a total of 15 tries in just seven internationals, only seven short of Manu Vatuvei’s New Zealand record of 22.

High-scoring Isaako is closing in on Shaun Johnson’s all-time points-scoring mark of 225 in Tests.

He claimed the record for most goals in a Test for the Kiwis with 13 against the Cook Islands and then repeated it against Fiji to take his career tally for New Zealand to 215. In this World Cup alone he has 74 points in three games including 31 goals from 32 attempts.

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2026 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS v TONGA

McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
8.05pm, Saturday, November 7, 2026

1. Keano Kini | Kiwi #836

2. Jamayne Isaako | Kiwi #808

3. Dane Gagai | Kiwi #845

4. Casey McLean | Kiwi #841

5. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad | Kiwi #820

6. Kodi Nikorima | Kiwi #793

7. Jahrome Hughes | Kiwi #819

8. James Fisher-Harris (c) | Kiwi #801

9. Jeremy Marshall-King | Kiwi #830

10. Moses Leota | Kiwi #827

11. Isaiah Papali’i | Kiwi #817

12. Briton Nikora | Kiwi #818

13. Joseph Tapine (vc) | Kiwi #800

14. Te Maire Martin | Kiwi #802

15. Naufahu Whyte | Kiwi #839

16. Erin Clark | Kiwi #842

17. Xavier Willison | Kiwi #843

18. Scott Sorensen | Kiwi #831

19. Leo Thompson | Kiwi #833

20. Tanner Stowers-Smith | Kiwi #846

21. Kalyn Ponga | Kiwi #844

22. Phoenix Crossland | Kiwi #838

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COACH: Stacey Jones

A determined Kiwi Ferns side will take the field on Saturday for their Rugby League World Cup semi-final clash with Fetu Samoa.

Following three strong wins in the pool stages, the Kiwi Ferns are approaching this match with the same tenacity, assembling an experienced and skilled side.

The return of Warriors centre Mele Hufanga to the lineup will be immense, with the powerful ball carrier creating a lethal combination with Leianne Tufuga on the left wing. 

“Mele is a big game player; she’s proven time and time again that when she puts on the black jersey, she grows another leg. So looking for a bit of strike there for her to play her best footy,” said Kiwi Ferns Head Coach Ricky Henry.

Additional star power assembles on the right edge with Stacey Waaka and Mackenzie Wiki continuing their thriving try-scoring partnership.

Following a thrilling long-range try last week off the bench, Otesa Pule moves to a starting prop spot, with Alexis Tauaneai. 

Meanwhile, Chantay Kiria-Ratu will rejoin Raecene McGregor to steer the team in the halves. She was a stalwart for the New Zealand side during their record-breaking 92-0 win over France, so she earns another opportunity this weekend.

Fetu Samoa have won convincingly in their last two pool matches, and Henry acknowledges the threat they will present this Saturday. 

“They’re a team that’s riding a high, and they’re confident. We’re looking forward to a really tough battle, and it’s going to be great for women’s rugby league and the World Cup,” said Henry.

The Kiwi Ferns kick off at 5.45pm AEDT / 7.45pm NZDT in Newcastle, ahead of the Kiwis v Tonga match at 8.05pm AEDT / 10.05pm NZDT.

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Kiwi Ferns squad to face Fetu Samoa:

1. Apii Nicholls
2. Leianne Tufuga
3. Mele Hufanga
4. Stacey Waaka
5. Mackenzie Wiki
6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu
7. Raecene McGregor (Co-Captain)
8. Alexis Tauaneai
9. Georgia Hale (Co-Captain)
10. Otesa Pule
11. Shaniece Monschau
12. Kaiyah Atai
13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa

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Interchange:

14. Ashleigh Quinlan
15. Annessa Biddle
16. Shannon Mato
17. Ivana Lauitiiti

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Reserves:

18. Brooke Anderson 
19. Brianna Clark
20. Zahara Temara
21. Abigail Roache
22. Tenika Willison

‍‍Injury has forced Jacob Laban out of the New Zealand Kiwis’ Rugby LeagueWorld Cup squad ahead of their semifinal against Tonga at McDonald JonesStadium in Newcastle on Saturday.

The 22-year-old missed training last week and scanssince have confirmed a lower leg injury which has ruled him out for the rest ofthe tournament.

“It’s really disappointing for Jake and for us afterthe outstanding year he has had,” said Kiwi head coach Stacey Jones.

Replacing Laban is Newcastle Knights hooker PhoenixCrossland who has played six times for the Kiwis since 2024, his last Testcoming In the 36-14 win over Toa Samoa in the Pacific Championships final in Sydneylast year.

New Zealand winger Ronaldo Mulitalo and Fiji halfback Brandon Wakeham were sent from the field at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday as the Kiwis tuned up for the semi-finals with a 78-0 smashing of the Bati.

With the Kiwis cruising at 48-0 the match exploded in the 52nd minute when Mulitalo shot in off his wing and made high contact with Ronald Philitoga, who was ruled out of the rest of the game.

Wakeham came in to remonstrate with Mulitalo and threw a punch, leading to him being marched.

With both sides down to 12 men the Kiwis ran in five more tries, with gun centre Casey McLean bagging four to take his record to 15 tries in seven Tests.

While Mulitalo faces a nervous wait for Sunday's judiciary charges his team-mates will revel in the comprehensive nature of the victory that sends an ominous warning to their World Cup rivals.

Chasing their first World Cup title since 2008, the Kiwis' 13-try romp was started and finished by Keano Kini, who racked up 260 run metres and seven tackle breaks.

The clash at Cbus Super Stadium was a shootout for a semi-final berth but in the end the Bati simply had no answers as the loss of Api Koroisau (jaw) and Semi Valemei (head knock) in the first half left them rattled.

By the time the half-time siren sounded the Kiwis had racked up a 48-0 lead as Kini, McLean and Mulitalo broke tackles at will and Naufahu Whyte continued to enhance his reputation as one of the game's elite big men.

Skipper James Fisher-Harris got in on the action with his first Test try since the 2023 Pacific Championships against Samoa, trailing through to pounce on the ball after Mulitalo had tapped back a Jahrome Hughes bomb.

Hughes finished the day with three try assists as he tuned up for the knockout stage of the tournament where the Kiwis are a chance of welcoming back superstar Kalyn Ponga from a broken arm.

Ponga suffered the injury in the tournament opener against Australia on October 15 and most expected he was done for the campaign but the Knights No.1 has worked tirelessly on his rehab and looms as a real X-factor for the Kiwis next week.

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As seen on rlwc2026.com

The Kiwi Ferns have finished the pool stages of the Rugby League World Cup with a dominant 40-12 win over Papua New Guinea in the Gold Coast. This secures their spot in the semi-finals where they will face Fetu Samoa in Newcastle, Australia.

In damp conditions, it was a tug-of-war for the first half, but a try from Kaiya Atai just before the break pulled the Kiwi Ferns ahead to 14-12.

Opening the second half strongly, NRLW Premiership winner Otesa Pule scored a barnstorming 60m runaway try, which set the tone for the final 35 minutes.

Mackenzie Wiki followed with her second try, and fellow Canberra Raiders winger Leianne Tufuga ran in another. Two tries from Abigail Roache sealed the deal for the New Zealand side, with Papua New Guinea unable to retaliate.

Head Coach Ricky Henry said: “They turned up ready to play and put a bit of pressure on us, but then I thought the second half for us, [we] definitely got on top and were able to maintain our composure and start to put in some tries. So really happy with the second half, but obviously there are things we need to work on.”

The strong attacking game saw the Kiwi Ferns run 1313 metres, to Papua New Guinea’s 756, and make 11 line breaks while their opposition managed one.

Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls took out Player of the Match, leading the stats boards for try assists (2), run meters (200), and runs (17).

The Kiwi Ferns v Fetu Samoa semi-final will kick off at 5.45pm AEDT on Saturday 7 November at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.

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Tries: Kiwi Ferns: Stacey Waaka, Mackenzie Wiki (2), Kaiyah Atai, Otesa Pule, Leianne Tufuga, Abigail Roache (2). Papua New Guinea: Tia Molo, Elsie Albert

Conversions: Kiwi Ferns: Zahara Temara (4). Papua New Guinea: Emily Veivers (2)

Nine years ago, Kaiyah Atai was in the Suncorp Stadium grandstand to see the New Zealand women’s team go down in a classic Rugby League World Cup final against Australia.

The Kiwi Ferns newcomer is eyeing the opportunity to run onto the field at the same venue on November 15, most likely against the Jillaroos in a fifth successive trans-Tasman World Cup decider.  

Kaiyah’s mum, Sharlene Atai (née Johnson), was part of New Zealand’s 2017 World Cup squad – the conclusion of a remarkable international career spanning 17 seasons. The pair created history this month as the Kiwi Ferns’ first-ever mother-daughter representatives.  

“It was a very proud moment for myself and my family,” Kaiyah told NRL.com.

“My mum was very happy when I chose to play for Kiwi Ferns this World Cup, we always talk about history and just to be a part of that, especially in the black jersey, is so cool.”

Sharlene was a winger as New Zealand defeated Great Britain in the inaugural women’s Rugby League World Cup final in 2000 – less than a year before Kaiyah was born.  

Family commitments ruled her out of the Kiwi Ferns’ 2003 and 2013 RLWC campaigns, but she was on the flank as they routed the Jillaroos 34-0 in the 2008 final at Suncorp Stadium. At the age of 40, she ended a seven-year hiatus from the national side to win selection for the 2017 World Cup.  

“I think the only memory I have from her playing in the World Cup was in 2017,” Kaiyah said.

“I flew over to support her in the final – unfortunately they lost, but it was just so cool to be around that environment when I was young. And some of the Kiwi Ferns she played with, I'm now playing with in this World Cup.

“It’s such an honour to represent the Kiwi Ferns, and I think just being around all the girls has made it really easy for us debutants, being new into camp, and I’m really enjoying it.”

The Warriors back-rower made her Kiwi Ferns debut in their torrid tournament-opening win over Fiji in Newcastle, lining up alongside 2017 survivors Raecene McGregor, Georgia Hale and Apii Nicholls.  

Atai was a standout in New Zealand’s record-breaking 92-0 win over France in Christchurch, scoring a try, making three line breaks and producing a try assist.  

“We had to hold our nerve there, [France] showed us very different defence but we still stuck to our game plan, which I think our coach would be very proud of," she said.

A star in the Auckland competition with Richmond Roses and on the New Zealand domestic rep scene, she turned out for Cook Islands in 2023-24 prior to making her NRLW debut.  

“It’s so cool that I get to represent both my cultures,” she said.

“Obviously I was brought up in New Zealand, but I've lived in the Cook Islands for a bit. My dad's all Cook Island heritage, and whatever jersey I put on, I'm very proud to represent where I'm from.”

Atai has used the Warriors’ reintroduction to the NRLW as a springboard to becoming one of the game’s rising back-row talents.  

She was named the Warriors’ rookie of the year in 2025, while her industrious, high-quality performances – averaging 97 metres and 29 tackles a game – garnered the player of the year award this season for a team that collectively fell short of expectations.

“I played footy when I was 18 in New Zealand, the Warriors weren't back in the comp and we didn't have a team until two years ago," she said.

“So I guess that was my pathway, and then once the Warriors finally got back in I got a call from the coach. I’m just very proud that I get to represent home, the Warriors being the only New Zealand team [in the NRLW].

“It was kind of a tough season, but to get those honours was something really cool, and I think I can be proud of that. A disappointing season [for the team] but I think that's only going to make us hungrier for next year, so it’ll be a big off-season ahead after the World Cup.”

Following the wake-up call provided by World Cup debutants Fiji – recovering from an error-strewn display to prevail 18-12 – the Kiwi Ferns used the week on home soil to recalibrate and refocus.  

“It was good to just soak it all up, our second week in camp and our only home game in Christchurch,” Atai said.

“The weather, the fans and just the buzz around the town was so cool for us, and I think it showed in our performance as well.  

“But the rest of our games are in Australia, so we'll just need to reset and keep our momentum going.”

The Kiwi Ferns will look to clinch top spot in Pool B when they take on PNG Orchids as part of Saturday's triple-header at Cbus Super Stadium.

While a semi-final against Samoa or England looms and potential showdown with Australia on November 15 is the ultimate goal, Atai says the Ricky Henry-coached Kiwi Ferns can’t afford to look any further ahead than their next assignment.  

"We'll take a lot of confidence out of our performance [against France] and build into next week. We're here at a World Cup for a reason, and we're wanting to make that final and push the Aussies, who’ve won the last three World Cups," she said.

“You never take any side lightly and we give respect to all of the teams we're playing. It was a close one against Fiji, and we still want to stick to our game plan against PNG and come off with another win while still sticking to our processes.”

As seen on nrl.com

The inclusivity of rugby league will be on full display during IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 with players in the second Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup to share the same stage as the stars of the Men’s and Women’s tournaments.

As it was in England in 2022, the PDRL World Cup will be played alongside the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair World Cups, with the final to be played at Allianz Stadium on November 8 before the Men’s and Women’s semi-finals.

The tournament featuring Australia, England and New Zealand will be held at AIIMS Stadium in Cabramatta, with each nation to play games against the other two.

The top two teams will meet in the final at Allianz Stadium on November 8.

“Physical Disability Rugby League Australia is proud to host the Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) World Cup at AIIMS Stadium Cabramatta, where PDRL was born 16 years ago,” NSW PDRL Vice-Chair Keith Povah said.

“Playing on the same global stage as the Men's, Women's, and Wheelchair tournaments means everything to our playing group because it gives them an opportunity to showcase their skills alongside the whole rugby league family.”

England are the current champions after defeating New Zealand 42-10 in the final of the inaugural 2022 PDRL World Cup at Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.

“The second PDRL World Cup marks a significant landmark for the continued progress of PDRL across the World. Being placed on the same stage as the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair World Cups once more allows all to see that rugby league is a sport for them,” RFL National Inclusion Manager Chris Godfrey said.

“The event will shine a spotlight on these fantastic athletes and spark the imagination of everyone to dream of what is possible for them.”

The 2026 PDRL World Cup will kick off on October 30 with Australia taking on England, who then play New Zealand on November 2 before the trans-Tasman rivals clash on November 5.

"Physical Disability Rugby League New Zealand is thrilled to be part of the second Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup in Sydney in October and November 2026,” NZPDRL Chair Sandra Hickey said.

“Playing alongside the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions is a proud moment that celebrates the many forms of rugby league and the inclusive spirit of the game."

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Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup 2026

• Friday, October 30 (6:30pm): Australia v England
• Monday, November 2 (6:30pm): England v New Zealand
• Thursday, November 5 (6:30pm): Australia v New Zealand
• Sunday, November 8 (Kick-off TBC): Final

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Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.

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As seen on rlwc2026.com