Women’s Rugby League World Cup Tips and Predictions – Round 2

Round 2 of the 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup gets underway on Friday night, and there's plenty to look forward to across all four fixtures. 

Both Samoa and Wales are searching for a first win after heavy opening defeats, setting up a fascinating clash between two sides with everything to prove. 

In Port Moresby, an in-form Papua New Guinea side that torched France 58-4 takes on a Fiji outfit still licking its wounds from a narrow 18-12 loss to New Zealand. 

The headline act arrives on Saturday evening, with a blockbuster Pool A clash that could decide top spot, between reigning champions Australia and an England side that looked genuinely dangerous in their 70-6 demolition of Wales. 

Rounding out Round 2, the Kiwi Ferns head home to Christchurch to face a France team still searching for cohesion after a tough opening outing against the Orchids.

For all the latest news, analysis, and odds for the second set of 2026 Women’s RLWC matches, check out our Women’s Rugby League World Cup Round 2 tips and predictions below.

Samoa Women vs Wales Women Prediction 

Friday, October 23, 5:45pm AEDT – CommBank Stadium 

Samoa Women head into this Women’s RLWC Round 2 opener looking to bounce back after a 40-0 defeat to Australia last start, a match that also cost them dearly off the field. 

Sarina Masaga has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with an Achilles injury, which should force Samoa to bring in Anastasia Leatupue as her replacement. 

Wales Women, meanwhile, suffered their own heavy loss, going down 70-6 to England after Connie Boyd scored a hat-trick on debut and Anna Davies crossed three times of her own. 

This shapes as the first meeting between Samoa and Wales, so there's no history to lean on when assessing how the sides match up. 

Samoa's forward pack carries plenty of NRLW experience, and if their go-forward can replicate even half the physicality Australia showed against them, Wales may struggle to contain them for long stretches.

Head-to-head prediction: Samoa Women. 

Fiji Women vs Papua New Guinea Women Prediction

Saturday, October 24, 1:15pm AEDT – Santos National Football Stadium 

Fiji Women will be desperate to shake off a heartbreaking opening outing, where they fell 18-12 to New Zealand despite a spirited effort. 

That match took a physical toll, with Tamika Jones (shoulder), Maria Paseka (leg), and Sienna Laing all forced off during the game. 

The Fiji coaching staff is optimistic that Jones will be available for Round 2, which would be a timely boost given how influential she's been in the squad's build-up play. 

Papua New Guinea Women, on the other hand, arrive full of confidence after a commanding 58-4 win over France. 

Naomi Kelly was unstoppable, crossing for four tries, while Elsie Albert racked up 154 run metres and broke eleven tackles across the eighty minutes. 

The two nations have met just once in a Test, with Fiji winning 28-0 in 2019, so there's genuine intrigue in how PNG's attacking firepower lines up against a Fiji side nursing a few injury concerns.

Head-to-head prediction: Papua New Guinea Women.

Australia Women vs England Women Prediction 

Saturday, October 24, 8:05pm AEDT – HBF Park 

This is arguably the standout fixture of Round 2, pitting two of the tournament's form teams against each other. 

Australia were ruthless in their opener, putting 40 points past Samoa without reply. Debutant Jocelyn Kelleher was a major factor, slotting six goals from seven attempts to go with a composed overall performance. 

England Women were even more ruthless, dismantling Wales 70-6 behind a hat-trick from debutant Connie Boyd, a triple from Anna Davies, a 109-metre try from Amelia Brown, and a stunning finish from Jasmin Strange. 

Historically, Australia hold the upper hand in this rivalry, having won all four previous meetings between the two sides, most recently 90-4 in Las Vegas in 2025. 

Given both teams' attacking output last week, this has the makings of a high-scoring affair, though Australia's depth and the reigning champions' pedigree should give them the edge over an England side still building its World Cup credentials.

Head-to-head prediction: Australia Women. 

New Zealand Women vs France Women Prediction 

Sunday, October 25, 2:00pm AEDT – One NZ Stadium 

The final game of Round 2 of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup sees New Zealand welcome France to One NZ Stadium in Christchurch. 

The Kiwis opened their campaign with an 18-12 win over Fiji, a tighter contest than many expected. Stacey Waaka scored twice, and it was Raecene McGregor's clever chip-kick to Leianne Tufuga that proved the difference late on. 

France Women will be eager to put a disappointing Round 1 behind them after going down 58-4 to Papua New Guinea, a result that exposed some gaps in their defensive structure. 

New Zealand hold a 2-0 all-time record against France, winning 88-0 in 2013 and 46-0 at the 2021 World Cup in 2022, and the gulf in class shown in those results still appears relevant today. 

With New Zealand's attacking weapons firing and France still searching for cohesion, this looks like a chance for the Kiwis to post another convincing scoreline, particularly in their own backyard. 

Head-to-head prediction: New Zealand Women.