Welcome to our complete RLWC 2026 New Zealand v Fiji Match Hub. Here you’ll find all the pre-match information, including team lists, predictions and stats you need and want, key players to watch and why you should bother watching the game at all. Plus we ask AI to do better than us with a predictions and AI Greg Norman pays a visit for his thoughts on this and all RLWC 2026 games.
After the game stop by for just enough of the opinion and post match stats you could need to keep up with each match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
RLWC 2026 New Zealand v Fiji Preview
Saturday, October 31, 3:30pm AEDT at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
TEAMS
New Zealand: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison, 18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 19. Scott Sorensen, R. Leo Thompson, R. Jacob Laban, R. Tanner Stowers-Smith
Fiji: 1. Sunia Turuva, 2. Ronald Philitoga, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Solomone Saukuru, 5. Semi Valemei, 6. Kurt Donoghoe, 7. Brandon Wakeham, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Apisai Koroisau (c), 10. Emosi Ravosai, 11. Taane Milne, 12. Kitione Kautoga, 13. Caleb Navale, 14. Josese Lanyon, 15. Elijah Keung, 16. Jordan Miller, 17. Joseph Litidamu, 18. Jordin Leiu, 19. Apenisa Driti, R. Zion Johnson, R. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, R. Kylan Mafoa
TEAMS TALKING POINT:
Moses Leota, Naufahu Whyte and Dane Gagai all return, seeing some shuffling backwards like Xavier Willison and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to the bench and Tanner Stowers-Smith out to the reserves. For Fiji Sunia Turuva moves to fullback to cover for the injured Bayleigh Bentley-Hape.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
James Fisher-Harris – an inspiring leader who gives all for the Kiwis and is an important driver of the success of the team.
Xavier Willison – a favourite of ours in any game.
Kurt Donoghue – was outstanding against Australia last weekend playing in his more traditional five eighth role, and Fiji will need him to do it again to be more nuisance value against the Kiwis.
Api Koroisau – A great competitor in any game, he will relish taking it to New Zealand.
BATTLES TO WATCH:
Bench – there’s a general difference in the experience and quality between these sides, but no more so than when you look at the respective benches.
Jeremy Marshall-King v Apisai Koroisau – two fine hookers for their respective NRL clubs, both dangerous out of dummy half.
Second Row – A position where Fiji match up ok to the Kiwis.
Sunia Turuva v Keano Kini – it was at fullback for Fiji where Turuva first caught the eye, and he could be a handful for the Kiwis, while Keano Kini is a livewire all the time.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT THIS GAME
Fiji were excellent against Australia last weekend and although the end result will probably still be the same, hopefully the battle is too.
PREDICTION
Fiji might be able to stay with the Kiwis for the first 20-30 minutes, but that bench is something else and will see them take over the match.
New Zealand by 26
STATS
OVERALL H2H – New Zealand 1 Fiji 1
WORLD CUPS – New Zealand 1 Fiji 1
- These teams have only met twice but Fiji have surprisingly got one win over the Kiwis in the 2017 World Cup where they won a low scoring game by 4-2 where all points were goals. Api Koroisau, Jacob Saifiti and Taane Milne were playing for Fiji that day, as were Joseph Tapine, Te Maire Martin and Kodi Nikorima for the Kiwis.
- The other game was a win to the Kiwis in the 2022 World Cup in England.
- New Zealand are one win (v PNG) and one loss (v Australia) on the Gold Coast.
- Kiwis have won their last five games in Australia v non-Australian opposition.
- Fiji have 13 wins and 13 losses with one draw in Australia v all teams.
AI GREG NORMAN’S PIC-REDICTION
AI Greg Norman is always on hand to give his opinion on anything sport related, and we harness the power of AI and his imagination to come up with a pictorial prediction.
AI Greg sees a swashbuckling affair between the Kiwis and Fiji with a Dolphin likely to be the key player.
AI PREDICTION
Since everyone else is using AI, why not us for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
We asked AI the following: “Predict the winner of this 2026 Rugby League World Cup based on historical H2H records, each team’s record at all rugby league World Cups, and the record at the 2026 rugby league World Cup, and each team’s International record from the last 20 years with a recency bias on the last five years, relative toughness of each team’s forward pack, and as an extra non-rugby league quality to consider overall courage of the general population from each country and their genuine passion for rugby league to inspire the team.”
AI SAID:
Prediction: New Zealand vs Fiji (2026 Rugby League World Cup)
Predicted Winner: New Zealand (Kiwis)
Projected Score: New Zealand 28 – 18 Fiji
Confidence Rating
New Zealand 68% Fiji 32%
Factor-by-Factor Analysis
1. Historical Head-to-Head
The World Cup history between these nations is surprisingly close.
- Fiji produced one of the greatest upsets in Rugby League World Cup history when they defeated New Zealand 4-2 in the 2017 quarter-final. [rugbyleagu…roject.org], [rlwc2026guide.com]
- New Zealand gained revenge in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final, winning 24-18 in a match that remained in doubt until the final minutes. [rugbyleagu…roject.org], [rlwc2026guide.com]
Edge: Slight New Zealand
While Fiji have proven they can shock the Kiwis, New Zealand’s deeper talent pool has generally prevailed more often over the broader history of international rugby league.
2. Rugby League World Cup History
New Zealand remain one of only three nations to have won a Rugby League World Cup, claiming the title in 2008. They have also reached multiple finals and semi-finals. [en.wikipedia.org], [nzrugbyhistory.co.nz]
Fiji’s greatest World Cup achievements have been reaching the semi-finals on three occasions (2008, 2013 and 2017). They have never reached a final. [en.wikipedia.org]
Edge: New Zealand
The Kiwis have significantly more experience in high-pressure knockout matches.
3. 2026 Rugby League World Cup Form
Prior to this match:
- New Zealand narrowly lost to Australia 24-22 before demolishing the Cook Islands 82-16. [zerotackle.com]
- Fiji defeated the Cook Islands but lost to Australia 36-22. [zerotackle.com]
Both teams have shown attacking threat, but New Zealand’s performances suggest a slightly higher ceiling.
Edge: New Zealand
4. Last 20 Years of International Rugby League (with Recency Bias)
Over the past two decades:
- New Zealand have consistently been one of the world’s top three nations.
- They won the 2008 World Cup, regularly defeat Tier 1 nations, and continue producing elite NRL talent.
- Fiji have become a genuine Tier 2 powerhouse and are far stronger than they were 20 years ago, but have generally struggled against Australia and New Zealand when both giants field near full-strength teams.
When weighting the last five years more heavily, New Zealand still maintain superiority due to players such as:
- James Fisher-Harris
- Joseph Tapine
- Jahrome Hughes
- Isaiah Papali’i
- Briton Nikora
- Keano Kini
- Ronaldo Mulitalo
who regularly compete at NRL premiership level. [rlwc2026.com], [zerotackle.com]
Edge: New Zealand
5. Forward Pack Comparison
This is where the game may be decided.
New Zealand Forward Pack
- James Fisher-Harris
- Joseph Tapine
- Moses Leota
- Isaiah Papali’i
- Briton Nikora
- Scott Sorensen
- Xavier Willison
[rlwc2026.com], [zerotackle.com]
This is arguably one of the strongest packs in international rugby league outside Australia.
Fiji Forward Pack
- Jacob Saifiti
- Apisai Koroisau
- Emosi Ravosai
- Kitione Kautoga
- Caleb Navale
[rlwc2026.com], [zerotackle.com]
Fiji’s forwards are athletic, energetic and fearless, but New Zealand possess significantly more elite NRL experience, size and middle-third dominance.
Edge: Strong New Zealand
6. Courage of the Population (Light-Hearted Factor)
This is obviously subjective and not a measurable sporting statistic.
Both nations rank among the most rugby-obsessed societies in the world.
Fiji
- Extraordinary community pride.
- Rugby is woven deeply into national identity.
- Players often represent family, village and country with immense emotion.
New Zealand
- Sporting excellence is embedded in national culture.
- The Kiwi public expects teams competing against Australia and England to challenge for trophies.
- Rugby league players grow up alongside the legacy of the Kiwis and All Blacks.
For pure rugby passion, Fiji may actually have a slight emotional advantage. Few nations emotionally invest in rugby quite like Fiji.
Edge: Slight Fiji
Ultimate Verdict
Fiji have the passion, belief and ability to produce an upset. Their 2017 victory over New Zealand remains proof that the Kiwis can be rattled. [rugbyleagu…roject.org], [rlwc2026guide.com]
However, when considering:
- overall World Cup history,
- 20-year international record,
- current tournament form,
- spine quality,
- and particularly the forward packs,
New Zealand hold advantages in most categories.
Predicted Result
New Zealand 28 – 18 Fiji
Most Likely Scenario
- Fiji start fast and challenge physically.
- New Zealand gradually win the middle of the field.
- Jahrome Hughes and Kodi Nikorima create opportunities late.
- Fisher-Harris and Tapine provide the platform.
- Fiji remain competitive for most of the contest but the Kiwis pull away in the final 20 minutes.
Prediction: New Zealand by 10. 🏉🇳🇿
