New Zealand vs Fiji Prediction & Tips: Rugby League World Cup

New Zealand and Fiji meet on the Gold Coast with a Rugby League World Cup semi-final place on the line: the winner goes through, the loser goes home. Our tip, the odds and the named teams.

This is a knockout game in all but name. New Zealand and Fiji are both on two points behind Australia in Pool A, and the winner takes the second semi-final place. New Zealand beat the Cook Islands 82-16 after losing the opener to Australia by two points; Fiji beat the Cook Islands and then led Australia in the second half before losing 36-22.

Below are our tip and the reasoning, the head to head, the named teams and what is at stake. Every match is on our Rugby League World Cup hub.

Match Details

New Zealand vs Fiji Tips & Prediction

Our pick: New Zealand to win. New Zealand ran Australia to two points in the opener, and their 82-16 win over the Cook Islands came with a side Stacey Jones used to experiment. He has said this is the game where he picks his best 17. Fiji were excellent for an hour against Australia, but they lose Mitchell Prest to suspension.

Best bet: Fiji +35.5 at the line (about $1.90). New Zealand should win, but a 13-point New Zealand win is now only $1.04 at Ladbrokes, so the value is on the other side of a big line. Fiji lost only 36-22 to Australia, and with a semi-final place riding on the result this is unlikely to become a rout, even with Fiji missing Mitchell Prest and fullback Bayleigh Bentley-Hape.

The odds. New Zealand are $1.01 head to head at Ladbrokes on Tuesday evening (27 October), with Fiji $34. The line is New Zealand -35.5 and the total 58.5, both at about $1.90. Prices move with late team news, so compare them on the day.

New Zealand vs Fiji Head to Head

The sides have played only two Tests, both World Cup quarter-finals, and won one each.

Form at this World Cup

New Zealand lost 24-22 to Australia in Sydney in Round 1, with Kalyn Ponga scoring twice before breaking his arm, then beat the Cook Islands 82-16 in Christchurch, with 38 points from Jamayne Isaako.

Fiji beat the Cook Islands 40-12 in Newcastle, then led Australia 10-6 and 16-12 in Brisbane before losing 36-22. Semi Valemei scored a hat-trick.

New Zealand vs Fiji Team News

Both teams were named on Tuesday 27 October. Coaches can still make changes up to an hour before kick-off, so check the late mail on the day.

New Zealand: named team

Stacey Jones has brought back his first-choice side. Dane Gagai returns at centre, Moses Leota at prop, and Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora in the second row, with Joseph Tapine moving to lock. Jahrome Hughes is fit at halfback, and Kalyn Ponga (forearm) is still out, so Keano Kini plays fullback. Named team: Keano Kini; Jamayne Isaako, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo; Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes; James Fisher-Harris (c), Jeremy Marshall-King, Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali’i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine. Bench: Te Maire Martin, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Scott Sorensen.

Fiji: named team

Mitchell Prest serves his one-match ban and Emosi Ravosai starts at prop. Fullback Bayleigh Bentley-Hape is out injured, so Sunia Turuva moves from the wing to fullback and Ronald Philitoga comes in on the wing. Jacob Saifiti has recovered from his leg knock and starts. Named team: Sunia Turuva; Ronald Philitoga, Waqa Blake, Solomone Saukuru, Semi Valemei; Kurt Donoghoe, Brandon Wakeham; Jacob Saifiti, Apisai Koroisau (c), Emosi Ravosai, Taane Milne, Kitione Kautoga, Caleb Navale. Bench: Josese Lanyon, Elijah Keung, Jordan Miller, Joseph Litidamu, Jordin Leiu, Apenisa Driti.

What Is at Stake

The winner joins Australia in the semi-finals and plays the winner of the Pools B and C table in Newcastle on Saturday 7 November. The loser is out. Australia have already won Pool A, and the Cook Islands are out.

New Zealand vs Fiji Betting Markets

• Head to head: the match winner, with golden point extra time if it is level at full time.
• Line: a points start for the underdog, usually the better market when the head-to-head price is short.
• Total points: over or under a set number of combined points.
• Try scorers: first, last and anytime try scorer markets on both squads.
• Same game multi: a result, margin and try scorers in one bet. See our same game multi guide.

Compare prices across our best NRL betting sites, which all price the World Cup.

New Zealand vs Fiji FAQs

When is New Zealand vs Fiji at the Rugby League World Cup?

Saturday 31 October 2026 at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, kicking off at 3:30pm AEDT (2:30pm local). NRL.com and the stadium both list that time; 3:45pm in some older listings is the original draw.

What happens if New Zealand or Fiji lose?

The loser is out of the World Cup. The winner takes the second Pool A semi-final place, behind Australia.

Is Kalyn Ponga playing for New Zealand?

No. Ponga broke his forearm in the opener against Australia and has had surgery. Keano Kini plays fullback.

Who will win New Zealand vs Fiji?

Our pick is New Zealand to win, but our best bet is Fiji +35.5 at the line, because a New Zealand win by 13 or more is only $1.04.

Where can I watch New Zealand vs Fiji?

Live and free on Seven and 7plus in Australia.

More Rugby League World Cup Coverage

• England vs PNG tips
• Australia vs Cook Islands tips
• Lebanon vs France tips
• Tonga vs Samoa tips
• Jillaroos vs Wales tips
• Australia 36-22 Fiji: result
• New Zealand 82-16 Cook Islands: result
• Rugby League World Cup hub: schedule, ladder and tips
• Results and ladder
• Schedule and TV guide
• Women’s Rugby League World Cup
• The final

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