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Samoa, runners-up at the last World Cup, start their campaign against France at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
Samoa, runners-up at the last World Cup, start their campaign against France at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta. It is the second match of the tournament and the first in the combined Pools B and C table, where six teams are chasing two semi-final places. The Jillaroos play Samoa at the same ground straight afterwards, at 8:05pm.
Below are our tip and the reasoning, the head to head, both 23-man squads and what the result means for the semi-final race. Every match is on our Rugby League World Cup hub.
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Match Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Competition | Rugby League World Cup, Pools B and C, Round 1 |
| Date | Friday 16 October 2026 |
| Kick-off | 5:45pm AEDT (4:45pm AEST in Queensland) |
| Venue | CommBank Stadium, Parramatta |
| Broadcast | Seven and 7plus, free-to-air |
| Coaches | Ben Gardiner (Samoa), Laurent Frayssinous (France) |
| Captains | Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai (Samoa), Benjamin Garcia (France) |
Samoa vs France Tips & Prediction
Our pick: Samoa to win. This is the biggest gap in class of the first round. Samoa’s squad is almost entirely NRL: Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Spencer Leniu and Junior Paulo would all walk into most club sides. France have one NRL player, the uncapped South Sydney forward Latrell Siegwalt, and the rest of the squad comes from Super League and the French championship, built around Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique.
The head to head says the same thing. Samoa have won four of the five Tests between the sides, and the last one, at the 2021 World Cup in England, finished 62-4. France’s only win came in Colomiers in 2006.
Best value: Samoa 13+. Samoa will not get a better chance to build points difference, and with six teams sharing one table for two semi-final places, that may matter. Samoa are without Payne Haas, who needs hand surgery, but their depth is the reason they can absorb it. France’s best route to keeping the score down is a tight, kicking game led by Théo Fages.
Samoa vs France Head to Head
Samoa lead the head to head 4-1 from five Tests.
| Date | Result | Venue | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2022 | Samoa 62-4 France | Warrington | World Cup group |
| November 2013 | Samoa 22-6 France | Perpignan | World Cup group |
| November 2008 | Samoa 42-10 France | Penrith | World Cup play-off |
| October 2006 | France 28-6 Samoa | Colomiers | Test |
| October 1995 | Western Samoa 56-10 France | Cardiff | World Cup group |
Recent form
Samoa were runners-up at the 2025 Pacific Cup. They lost 24-18 to New Zealand in Auckland, beat Tonga 34-6 in Brisbane, then lost the final 36-14 to New Zealand at this ground. In 2024 they lost both Tests of a tour of England, 34-18 and 34-16. At the last World Cup they lost the final 30-10 to Australia after beating England 27-26 in extra time in the semi-final.
France beat Jamaica 36-0 in Albi in October 2025 to take the last place at this tournament, after winning their European qualifiers against Ukraine (74-8) and Wales (48-6) in 2024. Their last Test against a top-tier side was a 40-8 loss to England in Toulouse in June 2024. Neither side has played a Test in 2026.
Samoa Team News
Ben Gardiner named his 23 on 6 October, with Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai as co-captains. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow chose Samoa over Australia. Payne Haas is out after hand surgery, Simi Sasagi is awaiting surgery, and Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi missed the cut.
Squad: Junior Paulo (c), Jarome Luai (c), Shawn Blore, Stephen Crichton, Sua Fa’alogo, Clayton Faulalo, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Benaiah Ioelu, Connelly Lemuelu, Spencer Leniu, Francis Manuleleua, Deine Mariner, Ata Mariota, Greg Marzhew, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Molo, Pasami Saulo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Izack Tago, Jazz Tevaga, Brian To’o, Enari Tuala, Ronald Volkman.
France Team News
Laurent Frayssinous named his 23 on 1 October, cut down from a 27-man group. Benjamin Garcia, who retires at the end of the 2026 season, is expected to captain the side. Eight of the squad play for Toulouse Olympique and six for Catalans. Joe Drodrolagi, who played for Fiji at the last World Cup, now qualifies for France on residency.
Squad: Benjamin Garcia, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Lambert Belmas, Julian Bousquet, Amir Bourouh, Tiaki Chan, Mathieu Cozza, Alrix Da Costa, Léo Darrelatour, Jordan Dezaria, Joe Drodrolagi, Théo Fages, Louis Grossemy, Mathieu Jussaume, Thomas Lacans, Benjamin Laguerre, Arthur Mourgue, Romain Navarrete, Arthur Romano, César Rougé, Latrell Siegwalt, Roméo Tropis, Fouad Yaha.
What Is at Stake
Samoa are in Pool B and France in Pool C, and the two pools play each other and share one table. The top two on that table reach the semi-finals: first place plays the Pool A runner-up in Newcastle on 7 November, and second place plays the Pool A winner in Sydney on 8 November.
| Team | Remaining games |
|---|---|
| Samoa | Papua New Guinea (Sat 24 Oct, Port Moresby), Tonga (Sun 1 Nov, CommBank Stadium) |
| France | England (Sat 24 Oct, Perth), Lebanon (Sun 1 Nov, CommBank Stadium) |
Samoa vs France Betting Markets
- Head to head: the match winner, with golden point extra time if it is level after 80 minutes.
- Line: a points start for the underdog, usually the better market when the head-to-head price is short.
- Winning margin: bands such as 1-12 and 13+.
- 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.
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18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
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Samoa vs France FAQs
When is Samoa vs France at the Rugby League World Cup?
Friday 16 October 2026 at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, kicking off at 5:45pm AEDT.
Where can I watch Samoa vs France?
Live and free on Seven and 7plus, which show every match of the 2026 World Cup in Australia.
Who will win Samoa vs France?
Our pick is Samoa, with Samoa by 13 or more as the value bet. Samoa have won four of the five Tests between the sides, including 62-4 at the last World Cup.
What is the Samoa vs France head to head?
Samoa lead 4-1 from five Tests. France’s only win came in Colomiers in 2006.
More Rugby League World Cup Coverage
- Rugby League World Cup hub: schedule, ladder and tips
- Australia vs New Zealand tips
- Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon tips
- England vs Tonga tips
- Fiji vs Cook Islands tips
- NRL tips hub
- Women’s Rugby League World Cup
- Rugby League World Cup winners
- The final
- Results and ladder
- Schedule and TV guide
- Squads
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