Australia reach World Cup semis & New Zealand get back on track

Rugby League World Cup: What Happened

BBC Sport reported on Sunday, October 25, 2026 in a story involving Australia, Rugby League World Cup, World Cup. Here is how the report opens:

Australia edge to a 36-22 victory in a pulsating Group A match against Fiji to book their place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals.

Photos: BBC Sport

It is one of many Rugby stories we are following today. Below are the key takeaways, how the story is being reported across the sport, background on Rugby League World Cup and what to watch next.

Key Takeaways

• The story: Australia reach World Cup semis & New Zealand get back on track
• Who’s involved: Australia, Rugby League World Cup, World Cup and Zealand
• League: Rugby
• First reported: Sunday, October 25, 2026 by BBC Sport

How Other Outlets Are Covering It

The same RUG story, as reported by 0 other outlets:

• The Army Officer playing for Wales at a World CupBBC Sport Jade Mullen's journey to the Women's Rugby League World Cup has been an unconventional one via rugby union and military service.
• England thrashed 78-0 in World Cup defeat by AustraliaBBC Sport Australia score 15 tries as they thrash England 78-0 at the 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup in Perth.
• England crush France 82-0 to stay in World Cup contentionBBC Sport England thrash France 82-0 in Perth to keep their World Cup hopes alive but they still need to beat Papua New Guinea on Friday and require Tonga to defeat Samoa next Sunday to reach the semi-finals.
• 68-point swing and a Tonga win - how England avoid World Cup exitBBC Sport England need a few things to go their way next weekend to stay in the Men's Rugby League World Cup - but they have at least given themselves a chance.
• England thrash France to keep alive World Cup hopesBBC Sport England beat France 82-0 to maintain their hopes of reaching the Men's Rugby League World Cup semi-finals.
• Samoa run in 14 tries to thrash Wales at World CupBBC Sport Wales again lose heavily at the Rugby League World Cup as Samoa's pace and power inflicts a 76-0 defeat on the debutants.

Background: Rugby League World Cup

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The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by senior men's national teams who each represent member nations of the International Rugby League who run and administer the tournament.

The tournament has been held with varying frequencies and formats throughout history, however is currently played every four years with a group and knockout structure in line with most other major sports competitions.

Text from Wikipedia’s Rugby League World Cup article, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What’s Next for Rugby League World Cup

For fans following Rugby League World Cup, the next things to watch are the results, schedule, rankings and standings. Stories like this one tend to move quickly, so check back for follow-up reports and reaction as more outlets pick it up.

• Latest Rugby news today: every RUG headline as it breaks
• Live scores and schedules across every sport we cover
• More Australia news from around the web
• Around the Web: today’s top sports stories from every outlet