Tonga vs Samoa: UK TV channel, kick-off time and team news as England await World Cup fate

Tonga vs Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup kicks off at 9.05am GMT on Sunday, 1 November, at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, with live coverage on Premier Sports in the UK. England will be watching closely, because a big Tonga win is the only way they can still reach the semi-finals.

Tonga vs Samoa TV channel and kick-off time

Competition	Rugby League World Cup, men’s tournament
Date	Sunday, 1 November 2026
Venue	CommBank Stadium, Sydney
UK kick-off	9.05am GMT
Sydney kick-off	8.05pm AEDT
UK TV and streaming	Premier Sports and the Premier Sports app

Premier Sports holds the UK rights to the tournament, as set out in the Rugby Football League’s viewing guide. The start time is confirmed by both the NRL’s team-lists report and the International Rugby League fixture page.

What Tonga and Samoa are playing for

Samoa and Tonga occupy the top two positions in the combined Pool B and Pool C standings, having each won their opening two matches.

England’s victory over Papua New Guinea on Friday means Tonga will reach the semi-finals even if they lose on Sunday. Their opening win over England gives them the head-to-head advantage if the two sides finish level on competition points.

A Tonga victory would secure first place. Samoa can also finish top by winning, and a draw or a narrow defeat would still take them through.

Tonga beat England 30-12 in Perth on 17 October before defeating Lebanon 36-0. Samoa arrive after victories over France and Papua New Guinea.

The NRL’s qualification explainer has the full permutations.

England World Cup qualification: why England are watching Tonga vs Samoa

England beat Papua New Guinea 34-12 on Friday, but their fate is out of their hands. Competition points are level with Samoa if Tonga win on Sunday, so points difference would decide who takes the second semi-final place.

England began Friday 68 points behind Samoa on points difference. Their 22-point win cut that gap to 46, which means Tonga need to beat Samoa by 47 points or more for England to finish ahead. A 46-point win would leave the two sides level on points difference, and the tournament has not published what separates them after that.

A Samoa win or draw, or a Tonga win by 46 or fewer, ends England’s tournament. You can read the full scenarios in our England World Cup qualification guide, and the official report on England’s win over Papua New Guinea has the details from Friday.

Tonga vs Samoa team news: Isaiya Katoa returns

Isaiya Katoa returns at halfback for Tonga after missing out through an ankle injury, with Lolohea moving to five-eighth. Fainu drops to the interchange.

Watene-Zelezniak and Toia return to the starting side, replacing Sione Katoa and Paul Alamoti. In the pack, Frizell starts at lock, Taumalolo moves to the front row and Utoikamanu comes in on the interchange. Wong starts again.

The full list is in the NRL’s Round 3 team lists. With only six players on the bench, the World Cup bench rules explain how interchanges work.

Samoa team news: Ben Gardiner keeps faith

Ben Gardiner retains Samoa’s starting side. Tevaga returns to the interchange, while Deine Mariner is among the reserves after the hamstring injury he sustained against France.

Tonga vs Samoa: frequently asked questions

What time is Tonga vs Samoa in the UK?

Kick-off is at 9.05am GMT on Sunday, 1 November, which is 8.05pm in Sydney.

What TV channel is Tonga vs Samoa on?

The match is live on Premier Sports in the UK, with streaming through the Premier Sports app.

How many points do Tonga need to beat Samoa by for England to qualify?

Tonga need to win by at least 47 points for England to finish ahead of Samoa on points difference. A 46-point win would leave them level.

Have Tonga already qualified for the semi-finals?

Yes. England’s win over Papua New Guinea means Tonga go through even if they lose to Samoa, because they beat England in their opening match.

Where is Tonga vs Samoa being played?

The match is at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.