Australia firm in Rugby League World Cup betting despite Fiji scare
Australia remain favourites to win the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, despite surviving a major scare against Fiji, while New Zealand have strengthened their title credentials with a commanding victory over the Cook Islands.
The Kangaroos are priced a$1.87 in the outright winner market, ahead of New Zealand at 3.25, following the latest round of group-stage matches.
Australia defeated Fiji 36-22 at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, although the result was considerably closer than betting sites had anticipated.
Fiji entered the contest as 50-1 outsiders but twice took the lead against the Kangaroos, exposing defensive weaknesses that could concern Australian supporters ahead of the knockout rounds.
Tom Trbojevic eventually settled the contest with a second-half hat-trick, helping Australia maintain their unbeaten record, but Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters acknowledged his side needed to improve.
“I think we need more from everyone. We know we can play better,” Walters said.
“But let’s give Fiji a lot of credit. At times it seemed like we were getting on top and they pulled themselves back into the game.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand underlined their World Cup credentials with an emphatic 82-16 victory over the Cook Islands.
The result keeps the Kiwis firmly in contention for the title, with bookmakers installing them as Australia’s nearest challengers, after their thrilling loss to the home team in their opening match of the tournament.
Tonga are third favourites at 7.00, narrowly ahead of Samoa at 8.00, suggesting the betting market expects the tournament’s eventual winner to emerge from the Pacific.
There is then a substantial gap to England, who are available at 51.00, while Fiji are priced at 326.00 and Papua New Guinea are the biggest outsiders at 501.00.
Attention now turns to the final round of group-stage matches, which will determine the remaining semi-final places.
Australia, which has booked their semi-final spot, will face the Cook Islands on Saturday, while New Zealand meet Fiji earlier that afternoon.
Fiji must produce a major upset against the Kiwis to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
The final round also features disappointing England against Papua New Guinea on Friday, before Tonga and Samoa meet in a highly anticipated Pacific showdown on Sunday.
That match could have significant implications for the outright betting market, with both nations considered leading challengers to Australia and New Zealand.
