EXPERTS ARE predicting a hard-fought battle for the Australian Kangaroos as they prepare to face Fiji in their upcoming Rugby League World Cup pool match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane this Sunday from 8pm.
The Fiji Bati were all class as they opened their 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign with a 40-12 win over the Cook Islands on Sunday afternoon.
In a dominant performance, the one-sided display will fill Fiji with plenty of confidence heading into their match against the Kangaroos this Sunday evening, sending an ominous warning to the host nation.
Former Fijian captain Lote Tuqiri said it was complete and utter domination.
“They will have Australia looking over their shoulders,” he said.
Scoring inside the first five minutes, Fiji put the hammer down and finished with five tries in the opening half, heading into the half-time break with a 28-0 lead.
Kurt Donoghoe and Brandon Wakeham were the stars of the show during this period putting together a combined five try assists and five line-break assist from the halves.
Australian coach Kevin Walters has confirmed several changes to the Kangaroos side after Australia edged New Zealand 24–22 in a thrilling tournament opener.
Jack Bostock stole the headlines with a stunning hat-trick on debut, including the match-winning try, but Walters is looking ahead to the next challenge as Australia continues its campaign.
The Kangaroos are set to make at least three changes for their clash against Fiji, with Walters rotating key players.
James Tedesco is expected to return at fullback after being rested for Australia’s opening match, with Reece Walsh set to make way despite his solid performance against New Zealand.
Walsh scored a spectacular long-range try and produced a crucial defensive effort during the 24–22 victory.
Tedesco, who captained the Sydney Roosters to the NRL premiership, was rested alongside fellow grand-final winner Sam Walker.
Bradman Best is also set to come into the side after being rested, giving Walters another option in the outside backs.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the Fiji match is Australia’s new-look halves pairing.
Walters has confirmed that Sam Walker will play halfback, with Tom Dearden moving into the No.6 jersey at five-eighth.
Dearden came off the bench against New Zealand after Mitchell Moses was injured early in the second half.
Now sidelined for the rest of the season, the Parramatta Eels captain was selected to partner Cameron Munster in the halves for the opening match.
The match against Fiji will be another important test for the defending champions as Walters continues to manage his squad and build towards the knockout stages.
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