The Kangaroos will meet Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals still having failed to fully convince so far this tournament. Three wins from three matches, pursuing the trophy for the fourth consecutive time, and playing in front of home fans, Australia remain the team to beat. Yet the errors and disconnection that marked their first two games are yet to be shaken loose.
Pressure builds inside the Australia camp
Inside the camp, there is pressure on coach Kevin Walters, and the forward pack has been humbled in the tournament so far. A free agent frenzy will dominate the week's lead-up, serving as distraction and fertiliser to seeds of doubt. There is little to gain and much to lose for the hosts as they prepare for Sunday's semi-final against Samoa at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Tonga's spectacular win against Samoa in Parramatta on Sunday was the tournament's finest spectacle, eclipsing the wild encounter between France and Lebanon that preceded it, with a capacity crowd and thousands of flags creating a carnival atmosphere. The disallowed Samoan try in the dying stages suggests that either team will provide a test for the Kangaroos, as both boast several players that would be comfortable in the green and gold.
Rival squads brimming with talent
Samoa's Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow might not oust Reece Walsh or James Tedesco at fullback, but he would have almost certainly added to his six caps for the Kangaroos had he chosen to continue with Australia. Brian To'o has in recent years been the NRL's top winger, and Stephen Crichton the benchmark centre, even if both have been slightly off their peak in 2026. Tonga have the best half in rugby league since Nathan Cleary's injury, Isaiya Katoa, and the Dally M centre of the year in Rob Toia. Both sides have enough power and punch in their forward packs to allow proven State of Origin bruisers still at their peak to be deployed off the bench: Stefano Utoikamanu for Tonga, and Spencer Leniu for Samoa.
New Zealand have battered the Cook Islands and Fiji since their unfortunate opener, scoring 160 points in those two matches. Although they are missing the injured Kalyn Ponga, the Kiwis' go-forward is complemented by the class of half Jahrome Hughes and the strike of centre Casey McLean, the scorer of four tries against Fiji on Saturday.
Australia's flaws exposed
Australia's claims have come under the microscope after the matches against the Kiwis and Fiji. New Zealand averaged five more metres per set than the Kangaroos, who also struggled to get a roll on against the Bati. The pursuit of mobility in the selection of the Kangaroo forwards, rather than grunt, means they will need to attack down the edges and stretch the opposing defensive lines.
The best thing about the Kangaroos might just be the man who doesn't play. Tedesco appears unlikely to unseat Walsh in the No 1 jersey, especially given the Bronco's electrifying performance against the Cook Islands, and his success under Walters in England last year. Halfback Sam Walker has also been subject to selection speculation, now appearing below Tom Dearden in the pecking order after missing out on playing against the Cook Islands, but he has more to worry about after being cut adrift by the Roosters amid a contract stand-off.
Walker is one of several Kangaroos entering negotiations just as the tournament gets to its pointy end, alongside Latrell Mitchell, Cam Munster, Harry Grant, Liam Martin, Bradman Best and Bostock. When they line up against the passionate Samoans on Sunday, they may find more motivation than money.
