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Rugby League World Cup predictions including winners, dark horse, top scorers and player of the tournament

Thursday morning marks the start of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup with the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair tournaments all taking place down under as Australia, New Zealand Papua New Guinea host the competition. Ahead of game one, which sees…

By Sam Cook · Serious About Rugby League

Published: Wednesday, 14 October 2026 at 11:31 AM

Key Things to Know

Writer Sam Cook predicts Australia to win the men's and women's tournaments and England the wheelchair competition.
The writer selects Tonga, England, and Scotland as dark horses across the respective divisions.
Harry Grant, Tarryn Aitken, and Jack Brown are tipped by Cook as players of the tournament.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Writer Sam Cook provides predictions across the men's, women's, and wheelchair tournaments for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Serious About Rugby League backs reigning champions Australia to retain both the men's and women's titles, while tipping defending champion England to claim the wheelchair crown once again.

Cook names Tonga, England, and Scotland as the respective tournament dark horses. For individual honors, Harry Grant, Tarryn Aitken, and Jack Brown are projected as players of the tournament, with Jamayne Isaako, Julia Robinson, and Jack Brown selected as expected top try-scorers.

Read the full article on Serious About Rugby League