Key Points
- Brian McDermott’s men will not face Australia or Fiji until at least the semi-final stage of the Rugby League World Cup, provided they progress that far, with both nations placed in Pool A.
- Australia, under incoming St Helens boss Kevin Walters, enter the tournament as heavy favourites, having triumphed in all but one World Cup over the past 50 years.
- Fiji’s best-ever finish in the tournament remains their semi-final appearance in 2017, where they were defeated 54-6 by Australia.
- Leeds Rhinos star Maika Sivo has been left out of Fiji’s squad, marking a notable absentee for the side. Serious About Rugby League
- The Kangaroos suffered significant injury blows, ruling out Penrith Panthers pair Dylan Edwards and Nathan Cleary from the tournament.
- Kevin Walters made nine changes from the squad that travelled to England for the Ashes, operating under a reduced 23-player limit compared to last year’s 24-man allowance.
- Alongside Edwards and Cleary, headline omissions for Australia include star winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, Josh Addo-Carr, Angus Crichton, Gehamat Shibasaki, Lindsay Smith, Ethan Strange, and Hudson Young. Serious About Rugby League
London (The Leeds Times) October 6, 2026 —As reported by Sam Brocksom of Serious About Rugby League, the international landscape shifts dramatically as major nations finalise their rosters for the upcoming tournament. Brian McDermott’s charges will avoid clashes against both the Kangaroos and the Bati during the group stages, safely sequestered away from Pool A until the business end of the tournament beckons in the semi-finals. Australia, steered by incoming St Helens boss Kevin Walters, hold the mantle of tournament favourites.
Their historical dominance is peerless, having secured every World Cup trophy bar one across the last half-century. Meanwhile, Fiji looks to emulate or better their stellar 2017 campaign, where a memorable run ended in a 54-6 semi-final defeat at the hands of the dominant Australians.
Why Was Leeds Rhinos Star Maika Sivo Omitted from the Fiji Squad?
As highlighted by Sam Brocksom of Serious About Rugby League, Leeds Rhinos overseas star Maika Sivo stands as a high-profile omission from the Fijian national team. Despite boasting extensive experience across both the NRL and the Super League, Sivo missed out on selection as the Bati assembled their 23-man contingent.
While several players familiar to British club rugby league supporters secured their places in the squad, the exclusion of a player of Sivo’s calibre serves as a major talking point for fans of the West Yorkshire club and international rugby league observers alike.
What Are the Major Selection Blows and Changes for the Australian Kangaroos?
As detailed by Sam Brocksom of Serious About Rugby League, the Australian camp has been rocked by severe fitness setbacks, most notably losing the Penrith Panthers influential pairing of Dylan Edwards and Nathan Cleary. Head coach Kevin Walters was forced into a radical overhaul, implementing nine alterations from the squad that toured England for the Ashes.
Regulatory adjustments also played a part in squad composition; whereas an expanded 24-man squad was permitted during the autumn fixtures, strict tournament rules restricted nations to naming only 23 players this time around.
Consequently, a total of nine players from the previous year’s touring party have been dropped or ruled out. Among them, high-flying winger Mark Nawaqanitawase represents the headline omission following his switch of codes, while established names such as Josh Addo-Carr, Angus Crichton, Gehamat Shibasaki, Lindsay Smith, Ethan Strange, and Hudson Young have all failed to secure selection.
These enforced and tactical changes mean Walters will march into the tournament with a significantly refreshed side as Australia looks to defend its global crown against stern international competition.
Explore More Leeds Rhinos News
Rugby League World Cup Squads Announced Leeds 2026
Jack Walker Hints at Rugby Retirement in Oldham 2026
Background of the Particular Development
The announcement of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup squads arrives at a pivotal juncture for the international game, following a packed domestic calendar across both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. International rugby league has experienced renewed structural focus, with national federations tightly managing player welfare, eligibility rules, and squad depth.
The transition of coaching personnel—such as Kevin Walters taking the reins for the Kangaroos—frequently signals a tactical reset, allowing emerging talent to break through while phasing out veterans or code-switchers. Furthermore, strict tournament regulations capping squads at 23 players have compressed selection margins, compounding the difficulties posed by late-season injuries picked up during intense domestic finals series in the NRL and Super League.
Prediction and Impact on the Particular Audience
For Super League supporters and followers of clubs like the Leeds Rhinos, these squad announcements carry significant ramifications for pre-season preparations and player availability. The omission of key overseas personnel like Maika Sivo means these players will receive an extended recovery and conditioning window ahead of the upcoming domestic campaign, potentially offering their club sides a physical advantage when league fixtures resume.
Conversely, English and European audiences tracking international fixtures face a heavily bolstered Australian outfit that, despite missing high-profile names like Edwards and Cleary, retains immense depth. This ensures that any potential semi-final collision between European contenders and the tournament heavyweights will remain an intensely physical and high-stakes encounter.
