Rugby League World Cup 2026: week one results and Channel 7 week two times – The Rugby League World Cup’s opening round brought close contests and big scorelines across the men’s and women’s tournaments. Australia’s men edged New Zealand 24-22, while the Jillaroos began with a 40-0 win over Samoa. Channel 7 has now confirmed its full week-two television and 7plus schedule, with local start times varying across Australia.
The schedule matters particularly for viewers outside Sydney and Melbourne. Some matches start on 7mate before joining Channel 7 later, while others remain on 7mate in particular markets. The times below are the broadcaster’s local coverage start times, not a universal kick-off time. Every listed match is also available live on 7plus.
Rugby League World Cup week one results
The Kangaroos and Kiwis opened the men’s tournament before a sold-out crowd at Allianz Stadium. Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock and Kalyn Ponga were among the players to make an impression in a 24-22 contest. Channel 7 presenter Mel McLaughlin captured the mood after the narrow finish.
You can’t wipe the smiles off our faces. This is what you want regardless of who you support this time.
Mel McLaughlin, Channel 7
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Samoa overwhelmed France 78-4, with 11 different Samoan try-scorers. Meanwhile, Tonga beat England 30-12 in Perth, Papua New Guinea defeated Lebanon 42-18 in Port Moresby, and Fiji beat the Cook Islands 40-12. As a result, Fiji finished the first round on top of Pool A, ahead of Australia and New Zealand.
Seven commentator Roger Tuivasa-Sheck said the Tonga–England match showed what the international tournament could deliver.
This is the passion, the emotion and commitment of a World Cup. This is what we want to see – players turning up for their team and their nation.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Channel 7
In the women’s tournament, Australia shut out Samoa 40-0, with Jocelyn Kelleher making a strong World Cup debut. England also defeated Wales 70-6 in Perth; Isabel Rowe’s 26 points equalled the record for the most by an England woman in an international match. In Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea ran in 12 tries to beat France 58-4. However, New Zealand had to survive a challenge from World Cup newcomers Fiji, recovering from a 12-4 deficit to win 18-12 after Zahara Temara’s late penalty and Leianne Tufuga’s decisive try.
Channel 7 and 7plus week two schedule: 23–25 October
Friday begins with Samoa facing Wales in the women’s tournament, followed by Tonga against Lebanon in the men’s competition. Saturday’s four matches include the Jillaroos against England. Sunday features a New Zealand double-header before Australia’s men meet Fiji at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
All times below are local to the named city. Sydney and Melbourne are on AEDT, Brisbane is on AEST, Adelaide is on ACDT and Perth is on AWST. Where two times are shown, coverage begins on 7mate and later moves to Channel 7. The 7plus live stream is available for each match. Viewers elsewhere should check their local Channel 7 listings.
Every week-two match by city
| Date | Match | Sydney/Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 23 Oct | Samoa v Wales (women) | 5.00pm 7mate | 4.00pm 7mate | 4.30pm 7mate | 2.00pm 7mate |
| Fri 23 Oct | Tonga v Lebanon (men) | 7.30pm Channel 7 | 6.30pm 7mate; 7.00pm Channel 7 | 7.00pm Channel 7 | 4.30pm 7mate |
| Sat 24 Oct | Fiji v PNG (women) | 1.00pm 7mate | 12.00pm 7mate | 12.30pm 7mate | 10.00am 7mate |
| Sat 24 Oct | PNG v Samoa (men) | 3.00pm 7mate | 2.00pm 7mate | 2.30pm 7mate | 12.00pm 7mate |
| Sat 24 Oct | England v France (men) | 5.30pm 7mate; 7.00pm Channel 7 | 4.30pm 7mate | 5.00pm 7mate | 2.30pm 7mate; 3.00pm Channel 7 |
| Sat 24 Oct | Australia v England (women) | 7.30pm Channel 7 | 6.30pm 7mate; 7.00pm Channel 7 | 7.00pm Channel 7 | 4.30pm Channel 7 |
| Sun 25 Oct | New Zealand v France (women) | 1.30pm Channel 7 | 12.30pm Channel 7 | 1.00pm Channel 7 | 10.30am Channel 7 |
| Sun 25 Oct | New Zealand v Cook Islands (men) | 3.30pm Channel 7 | 2.30pm Channel 7 | 3.00pm Channel 7 | 12.30pm Channel 7 |
| Sun 25 Oct | Australia v Fiji (men) | 7.00pm Channel 7 | 6.00pm 7mate; 7.00pm Channel 7 | 6.30pm 7mate; 7.00pm Channel 7 | 4.00pm Channel 7 |
Saturday’s key fixture: Australia’s women face England from 7.30pm in Sydney and Melbourne, 7.00pm on Channel 7 in Brisbane and Adelaide, and 4.30pm in Perth. Brisbane viewers can join the earlier coverage on 7mate from 6.30pm.
Sunday’s key fixture: the Kangaroos meet Fiji from 7.00pm in Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane coverage starts on 7mate at 6.00pm before moving to Channel 7 at 7.00pm. Adelaide begins on 7mate at 6.30pm, then Channel 7 at 7.00pm; Perth has Channel 7 coverage from 4.00pm.
Who is covering the matches?
Mel McLaughlin, Matt White, Matt Shirvington and The Agenda Setters: Rugby League host Corey Parker continue across Channel 7’s coverage. Friday’s Samoa–Wales match will feature White with Drury Forbes, Emma Verran, Brett Kimmorley and Shontelle Stowers. Andrew Voss will call Tonga–Lebanon with Luke Keary and Parker, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck reports from the sideline.
For Saturday’s matches, Parker, Kimmorley, Forbes and Verran cover Fiji–PNG. Ryan Papenhuyzen and Shane Flanagan contribute to PNG–Samoa, and Voss joins Keary and James Graham for England–France. The Australia–England women’s clash will be called by Voss, with Yasmin Meakes, Graham and four-time premiership coach Trent Robinson adding analysis.
On Sunday, Parker hosts the New Zealand matches with contributions from Ali Brigginshaw, Peter Badel, Lote Tuqiri, Papenhuyzen and Emma Freedman. McLaughlin hosts Australia–Fiji; Voss calls the game alongside Keary and Robinson, with Tuqiri, Papenhuyzen, Freedman and Jelisa Apps reporting from the sideline.
For more TV Central coverage, see our Rugby League World Cup opening-week guide. To watch the matches and find replays, visit the public 7plus Rugby League World Cup page.