Tonga targets Lebanon win after stunning England upset in Rugby League World Cup
Tonga, ranked fifth globally, aims to secure a top-two finish in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup by defeating Lebanon in Parramatta. The Pacific Islanders follow a 30-12 victory over England, where Haumole Olakau’atu scored two tries. Lebanon, who lost 42-18 to Papua New Guinea, faces an uphill battle to progress. Tonga will play without injured half-back Isaiya Katoa, with Latu Fainu stepping in.
Key points
- Tonga, the fifth-ranked team in the world, seeks to advance in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup by beating Lebanon in their second group match.
- Tonga entered the fixture with confidence after defeating England 30-12 in Perth, a match where Haumole Olakau’atu scored two tries and Isaiya Katoa performed prominently.
- Lebanon, known as The Cedars, faces a difficult path to the quarter-finals after a 42-18 opening loss to Papua New Guinea, despite leading the opposition at halftime in that game.
- Tonga will miss NRL half-back Isaiya Katoa due to an ankle injury, with Latu Fainu replacing him at the position for the match at Parramatta's CommBank Stadium.
- Lebanon will start Moustafa Dirani at hooker instead of Yehya Ayache, while Wigan Warriors star Abbas Miski remains on the bench after scoring twice in their previous match.
- A victory for Tonga would place them in a strong position to qualify as one of the top two teams from the combined Group B and C table.
Tonga prepares to face Lebanon in their second group stage match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, held at Parramatta's CommBank Stadium. The Pacific Islanders enter the contest with heightened momentum following a significant 30-12 victory over England in Perth. That match featured standout performances from Haumole Olakau’atu, who scored two tries, and NRL half-back Isaiya Katoa, demonstrating that the fifth-ranked team can compete effectively against top-tier opponents.
Lebanon, referred to as The Cedars, faces a challenging scenario after their opening match. Although they held a 18-12 lead at halftime against Papua New Guinea, two tries within seven minutes of the restart led to a 42-18 defeat. This result puts them in an uphill battle to progress beyond the group phase, despite their status as quarter-finalists in the previous two World Cups. For the upcoming match, Lebanon will start Moustafa Dirani at hooker in place of Yehya Ayache, while Wigan Warriors player Abbas Miski, who scored twice in their first game, remains on the bench.
Tonga's squad will be missing Isaiya Katoa, who was ruled out with an ankle injury. He is expected to return for the final group game against Samoa, but Latu Fainu will step in at half-back for the clash in Parramatta. A win against Lebanon would solidify Tonga's position in the top two of the combined Group B and C table, significantly improving their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Sources
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