Customize ESPN
Week 2 teams: Kini in for Ponga; Walters shuffles Kangaroos
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup continues after an opening weekend of thrilling action. This week we are set to see some huge scores racked up as the big hitters take on some of the lesser lights.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
What we learned: Australia need to improve, Tonga impress in defence
Australia survived an opening-night scare, Tonga delivered a historic victory and Samoa wasted little time showcasing their attacking firepower. Isaac Issa takes a look at the opening weekend of action.
TOP HEADLINES
PNG CHIEFS
PNG Chiefs unveil new logo, jersey, amid drama
PNG Chiefs
OFFSEASON MOVES
NRL transfers: Bulldogs closing in on Skelton return; Panthers lock in Patea
Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP
What we learned: Australia need to improve, Tonga impress in defence
SAEED KHAN / AFP via Getty Images
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP
Tonga crush England in World Cup game of death
Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images
Jillaroos run riot in Women's World Cup opener
Samoa embrace 'chaos' as Luai, To'o head to PNG
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP
Bostock treble helps Roos edge NZ in WC opener
Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP
Everything you need to know for the Rugby League World Cup
IZHAR KHAN / AFP via Getty Images
Your NRL team graded: 2026 team-by-team season review
OFFSEASON MOVES
NRL transfers: Dragons set to retain Muhleisen; Raiders nearing Pahulu deal
Morgan Hancock/Getty Images
Top Headlines
- Fifita beats 'hard times' to make Australia debut
- New 'Roo Sam Walker has 'one more box to tick'
- Katoa's drive to keep firing for Tonga
- Fab four to debut for Australia against Fiji
- Roosters star to make Jillaroos World Cup debut
- RLWC teams: Kini in for Ponga; Aussies shuffled
- Tonga crush England in World Cup game of death
- Moses ruled out of remainder of World Cup
- Judge sides with NRL over NZ Rugby on 'Chiefs'
- Kiwis cling to hope of Ponga playing on at RLWC
- Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
NRL Grand Final: Records, facts, figures from rugby league's biggest game
Rugby league has a proud history dating back to 1908. But what are some of the biggest records, facts and figures from its deciding game?
- Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Roosters top the class: NRL 2026 team-by-team season review
The 2026 NRL season is over with the Roosters crowned the premiers, so it's time to evaluate every team's year.
- Getty Images/ESPN
Blame the coach: Tale of two disastrous seasons
Fairly or unfairly, the spotlight is on the coaches of the Bulldogs and Broncos after two very different but equally awful seasons.
- Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Arrow takes centre stage: Life and sport inseparably, intrinsically linked
Jai Arrow has handled this awful situation as well as a person possibly can, and deserves everything and anything we can give him.
- Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
State of Origin: The all-time records and statistics
The State of Origin series started in 1980 and since that very first encounter we have witnessed 135 games and seen plenty of amazing rugby league.
- ESPN
Subscribe to the ESPN Australia Newsletter
Keep up to date with the latest news from across the sporting world. Be it at home or abroad, we've got it covered in our weekly newsletters.
