League News Network

🏆 England's Path to the #RLWC26 Men's Semi-Finals England's fate isn't entirely in their own hands heading into the final round. ✅ England qualify if: 🏴 England defeat 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea 🇼🇸 Samoa defeat 🇹🇴 Tonga England overturn a 68-point differential deficit to Tonga ❌ England are eliminated if: 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea defeat England OR 🏴 England defeat Papua New Guinea 🇹🇴 Tonga defeat Samoa In that scenario, Tonga would advance after defeating England earlier in the tournament. 📊 What England need 🏴 England win big over PNG 🤝 A favour from Samoa 📈 Make up 68 points on Tonga's points differential 💬 Can England pull off the impossible, or is Tonga set to book a semi-final berth? #RLWC2026 #RLWC26 #EnglandRL #RugbyLeague

A big weekend at the World Cup with the Wheelchair competition kicking off. Below are the start times. 🏆 #RLWC26 Round 3 & Wheelchair World Cup Round 1📺 All Times AEDT Friday 30 October ♿ Wheelchair World Cup🇮🇪 Ireland vs USA 🇺🇸 | 🕐 1:00pm 🏴 England vs Wales 🏴 | 🕞 3:30pm 🏉 Women's World Cup🏴 England vs Samoa 🇼🇸 | 🕠 5:45pm 🏉 Men's World Cup🏴 England vs Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 | 🕗 8:05pm Saturday 31 October 🏉 Women's World Cup🇫🇯 Fiji vs France 🇫🇷 | 🕐 1:20pm ♿ Wheelchair World Cup🇫🇷 France vs Scotland 🏴 | 🕒 3:00pm 🇦🇺 Australia vs New Zealand 🇳🇿 | 🕠 5:30pm 🏉 Women's World Cup🇳🇿 New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 | 🕠 5:45pm 🏉 Men's World Cup🇳🇿 New Zealand vs Fiji 🇫🇯 | 🕞 3:30pm 🇦🇺 Australia vs Cook Islands 🇨🇰 | 🕗 8:05pm Sunday 1 November 🏉 Women's World Cup🇦🇺 Australia vs Wales 🏴 | 🕒 3:40pm 🏉 Men's World Cup🇱🇧 Lebanon vs France 🇫🇷 | 🕠 5:40pm 🇹🇴 Tonga vs Samoa 🇼🇸 | 🕗 8:05pm #RLWC2026 #RugbyLeague #WheelchairRL #RLWC26

🔒 Titans lock in rising star Zane Harrison until 2029 The Gold Coast Titans have confirmed the re-signing of Zane Harrison, with the young playmaker extending his stay at the club through to the end of the 2029 season. Harrison made a significant impact in his rookie NRL campaign in 2026, quickly establishing himself as one of the games brightest young talents. His standout moment came in Round 16, when he kicked a match-winning field goal against Penrith to secure a memorable victory for the Titans. With rival clubs, including the incoming PNG Chiefs, reportedly keeping a close eye on his future, the Titans have moved decisively to retain a key piece of their long-term plans. #NRL

🔄 Panthers add Rabbitohs forward for 2027 The Penrith Panthers have secured the signing of Liam Le Blanc from South Sydney for the 2027 season. The 22-year-old forward has already accumulated 27 NRL appearances and is viewed as another development project for Penrith's renowned system. Le Blanc made six NRL appearances for the Rabbitohs in 2026, averaging: ✅ 30 minutes per game ✅ 48 running metres per game 📊 Liam Le Blanc • Age: 22 • NRL Games: 27 • 2026 Appearances: 6 • Average Minutes: 30 • Average Run Metres: 48 #NRL #RugbyLeague

Dolphins close in on Hammer extension According to today's Courier Mail, the Dolphins have reportedly agreed to terms with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, preventing one of the game's most exciting talents from reaching the open market on November 1. Titans moving to secure Harrison The Courier Mail is also reporting the Gold Coast Titans are closing in on a long-term extension for rising prospect Zane Harrison. The development comes with the PNG Chiefs reportedly monitoring the situation as they continue assembling their future roster. #NRL #RugbyLeague

🔄 Skelton returns to Belmore The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have re-signed outside back Jeral Skelton on a one-year deal for the 2027 season. Skelton returns to the club where he made his NRL breakthrough, having previously played eight first-grade matches for the Bulldogs across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Since joining the Wests Tigers, the powerful winger has shown flashes of his potential, scoring 18 tries in 28 appearances across the past two seasons. However, regular opportunities have been limited and he entered the market without a contract for 2027. The Bulldogs will be hoping a return to familiar surroundings helps Skelton rediscover the form that made him one of the game's most exciting young outside backs. 📊 Jeral Skelton ✅ 36 NRL games ✅ 26 career tries ✅ Returns to the Bulldogs in 2027 #NRL

PACIFIC TEAM TO JOIN NRL? Another franchise to join the race for the 20th license. According to Dean Ritchie in the Daily Telegraph, a Pacific-based franchise is being considered as the NRL's 20th team, potentially entering the competition after the arrival of the PNG Chiefs. The proposed club would reportedly be known as Mana Pasifika and could play home games across multiple locations, including: 🇼🇸 Samoa 🇹🇴 Tonga 🇨🇰 Cook Islands 🌺 Hawaii The concept would give the Pacific region a second NRL presence and provide a pathway for some of rugby league's richest talent pools. With Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands continuing to produce elite NRL players, the idea is sure to generate plenty of discussion. #NRL

#RLWC26 teams and officials announced for Round 3 of the competition. rugbyleaguezone.com/rlwc-202…

Two of the NRL's biggest names are set to hit the open market. 🐓 Sam Walker The Sydney Roosters have confirmed they have withdrawn their contract extension offer to Sam Walker after the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on terms. In a statement, the club said: "The Sydney Roosters have this evening advised the management of Sam Walker that the Club's offer for a contract extension beyond the 2027 season has been withdrawn after the parties were unable to reach an agreement on terms." 🛡️ Hudson Young Meanwhile, Canberra have withdrawn their latest contract offer to representative forward Hudson Young. 📅 Both players will be free to negotiate with rival clubs from Sunday. #NRL

🚨 RLWC 2026 Judiciary - Round 2 (Sunday) Men's 🔹 Mitchell Prest (Fiji) charged with a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle on Lindsay Smith in the 75th minute. ➡️ Second offence on record. ➡️ 1-match suspension with an early guilty plea. ➡️ 2-match suspension if found guilty at panel. Women's ✅ No charges. #RLWC2026

FULL-TIME | #RLWC2026 (Men) 🇦🇺 Australia 36 🇫🇯 Fiji 22 HT: 12-10 🎩 Hat-tricks ⭐ Tom Trbojevic (Australia) ⭐ Semi Valemei (Fiji) 📈 Historic Night for Fiji 🇫🇯 Fiji's 22 points are their highest-ever score against Australia in a Test match. 📊 Match Stats• Tackle Breaks: Australia 42 | Fiji 14 • Line Breaks: Australia 7 | Fiji 3 🔥 Fiji pushed the Kangaroos all the way after trailing by just two points at halftime, but Australia's class proved the difference in the second half. 💬 Could Fiji test New Zealand next weekend on the Gold Coast? #RLWC26 #RugbyLeague

FULL-TIME | #RLWC2026 (Men) 🇳🇿 New Zealand 82 🇨🇰 Cook Islands 16 HT: 36-16 🎩 Hat-tricks ⭐ Jamayne Isaako (New Zealand) ⭐ Esom Ioka (Cook Islands) 🎯 Most Points ⭐ Jamayne Isaako - 38 points (3 tries, 13 goals) 📈 The Cook Islands stunned New Zealand early, scoring three consecutive tries in eight minutes to lead 16-12 after 19 minutes. 🔥 The Kiwis responded with 70 unanswered points to close out a dominant victory. FULL-TIME | #RLWC2026 (Women) 🇳🇿 New Zealand 92 🇫🇷 France 0 HT: 46-0 🌟 Four Tries ⭐ Apii Nicholls 🎩 Hat-tricks ⭐ Mele Hufanga ⭐ Stacey Waaka 🎯 Most Points ⭐ Chantay Kiria-Ratu - 22 points (1 try, 9 goals) 🔥 The Kiwi Ferns crossed for 17 tries in a one-sided affair in Christchurch. 📊 France Under Fire After Tough Weekend France's Men's and Women's teams were outscored 174-0 across Round 2: 🔹 Women's: 🇳🇿 New Zealand 92-0 France 🔹 Men's: 🏴 England 82-0 France 💬 Some fans have questioned whether France are currently competitive enough at Rugby League World Cup level. Do you agree, or is exposure against the sport's elite the best way for Les Bleus to improve? #RLWC2026 #RLWC26 #rugbyleague

The final Round 2 #RLWC26 clash will see Australia and Fiji clash at Suncorp Stadium. Who will win this one? PREVIEW: rugbyleaguezone.com/australi… #AUSvFIJ

🚨 RLWC 2026 Judiciary - Round 2 (Saturday) Men's ✅ No charges. Women's 🔹 Keara Bennett (England) - Grade 1 Dangerous Throw (24th minute) on Sarah Togatuki. First offence. Warning with a 1-match penalty at panel. 🔹 Lucie Sams (England) - Grade 1 Dangerous Throw (25th minute) on Sarah Togatuki. First offence. Warning with a 1-match penalty at panel. #RLWC2026

Round 2 concludes today with games in Christchurch and Brisbane. The first men's game will see New Zealand face the Cook Islands. Who wins this one? rugbyleaguezone.com/new-zeal… #NZLvCI

🗞️ Sunday News Wrap According to reports in News Corp publications: 💰 Titans targeting Harry Grant? The Courier Mail reports the Gold Coast Titans are preparing a major play for Melbourne hooker Harry Grant, with a deal worth around $1 million per season reportedly on the table. 🔄 Eels eye Talagi return The Daily Telegraph reports Parramatta are interested in bringing Blaize Talagi back to the club. Talagi becomes a free agent on November 1, allowing rival clubs to enter negotiations. 👀 Nikora set for open market The Daily Telegraph is also reporting that Briton Nikora and Cronulla have been unable to agree on a new deal, with the representative second-rower now expected to head to the open market. #NRL

Today at #RLWC26 Sunday 25 October 🇳🇿 New Zealand vs France (Women's) 🕑 2:00pm AEDT 📍 One NZ Stadium, Christchurch 🇳🇿 New Zealand vs Cook Islands (Men's) 🕓 4:05pm AEDT 📍 One NZ Stadium, Christchurch 🇦🇺 Australia vs Fiji (Men's) 🕗 8:05pm AEDT 📍 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane #NZLvCI #AUSvFIJ