The Newcastle International Sports Centre in Australia plays host to a historic Rugby League World Cup 2026 semi-final matchup as New Zealand takes on Tonga. Mate Ma'a Tonga seeks to reach a World Cup final in any sport for the very first time, facing a formidable Kiwi squad that has gained significant momentum in the tournament's truncated format. Fans around the globe can catch every tackle and try as both nations battle for a coveted spot in the final.
Key takeaways
- The semi-final match takes place at the Newcastle International Sports Centre in Australia on Saturday, November 7.
- New Zealand advanced after a dominant 78-0 victory over Fiji, led by Casey McLean's four tries.
- Tonga enters the clash following a thrilling 20-18 victory over Pasifika rivals Samoa.
- Free live streams are available on 7plus in Australia and ThreeNow in New Zealand.
Road to the semi-final and squad updates
New Zealand arrives at this stage following a resounding 78-0 demolition of Fiji, a performance featuring four tries from Casey McLean. This dominant display secured the Pool A runners-up position behind Australia, whom the 2008 world champions narrowly lost to 24-22 on opening night. The Kiwis must navigate the fixture without Ronaldo Mulitalo, who serves a one-match suspension following a red card received last week. However, the squad receives a boost with Kalyn Ponga returning to the reserves shortly after breaking his arm against Australia, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad starts on the wing in place of Mulitalo. James Fisher-Harris captains a forward pack widely regarded as one of the strongest in international rugby league.
On the other side of the pitch, Tonga secured its place in the semi-finals following a thrilling 20-18 triumph over Samoa, a contest that defined the men's tournament. Halfback Isaiya Katoa delivered a stellar performance and partners once again with Tui Lolohea, with coach Kristian Woolf naming an unchanged 19-man squad for the biggest game in Tongan rugby league history. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, born in Hamilton and a former Kiwi captain, now lines up on the wing for Mate Ma'a Tonga in a fixture carrying profound personal significance. NRL Dally M center of the year Rob Toia also features prominently for the Tongan side.
Global broadcast and streaming options
Viewers can access free live broadcasts of the match depending on their geographical location. In Australia, the game is available live on free-to-air Channel 7 and via the 7plus streaming platform, which requires a registered account and a valid Australian postcode such as 2042. Fans located in New Zealand can watch the action for free on ThreeNow or tune in via Sky Sport NZ, with live television coverage broadcasting on Sky Sport 2. Sky Sport Now subscription services are available starting at NZ$29.99 per day or NZ$59.99 per month.
International viewers outside of these regions have alternative viewing paths. In the United States and Canada, coverage streams through Premier Sports, which offers discounted tournament passes and monthly subscription tiers starting at $20 in the US and CA$29.99 in Canada. UK-based supporters can watch the match on Premier Sports 2, priced at £18.99 on a rolling monthly basis or £150 for an annual upfront payment. Supporters traveling abroad who wish to access their local home streaming accounts can utilize virtual private network services like NordVPN to bypass regional geo-restrictions.
Match schedule and kickoff times
The high-stakes semi-final showdown kicks off at 8:05 pm AEDT local time on Saturday, November 7, at the Newcastle International Sports Centre in Australia. International audiences must adjust their clocks accordingly to catch the action live, with the start time translating to 4:05 am ET in the United States and 9:05 am GMT in the United Kingdom.
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