Australia survived a fierce challenge from Fiji to claim a 36 22 victory at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night, a result that secured the Kangaroos a place in the 2026 men’s Rugby League World Cup semi finals. The win was built around a second half hat trick from Tom Trbojevic and an influential showing from captain James Tedesco, but the manner of the performance left questions about structure and discipline as the tournament moves to the knockout phase.
Trbojevic rescue act and a captain’s intervention
After a tight first half, Australia depended on a burst of finishing from Trbojevic, whose three tries in the second half swung momentum back to the home side. Trbojevic scored from quick line breaks and support play, repeatedly finding space against a Fijian defence that had worked hard to contain the Kangaroos for long periods.
James Tedesco, restored to the starting fullback role and wearing the captain’s armband, produced a composed performance when Australia needed leadership. He helped control the tempo from the back, made a series of important last line tackles and kicked well from hand to ease pressure. Observers described Tedesco’s contributions as decisive in a game that threatened to slip from Australia’s grasp.
Fiji’s threat and what it revealed
Fiji were the most dangerous opponent Australia has faced so far in this tournament. Semi Valemei and Kurt Donoghoe combined to exploit space out wide, and Fiji produced four tries to keep the contest alive. At times Fiji’s speed on the edges and their willingness to play an expansive game put Australia under sustained pressure, and several errors from the Kangaroos gifted the Bati attacking field position.
The scoreboard did not reflect how close the contest was at its most heated. Fiji led for portions of the second half and repeatedly forced Australia to defend for long periods inside their own 20 metre area. The Bati left Brisbane with plenty of positives and the realisation that they are within striking distance of the tournament favourites if they cut some inconsistency out of their game.
Selection and tactical questions for Australia
While the result secures Australia a semi final berth, the performance amplified unresolved questions about combinations in the spine and defensive cohesion. Coaches and selectors will look closely at moments when the Kangaroos lacked structure under pressure, particularly around quick restarts and contestable kicks.
Australia’s bench work and forward rotation also came in for scrutiny. On several occasions Fiji won collisions on the inside and shifted momentum. The Kangaroos will need to address those deficiencies before they meet their next opponent in the knockout rounds, where margins will be slimmer and opposition errors rarer.
What the win means and the road ahead
Beyond the immediate relief of qualification, Sunday’s result carries mixed implications. Australia has guaranteed itself a place in the semi finals and preserved a legacy of deep tournament runs, but the team’s inability to put Fiji away earlier exposed vulnerabilities that stronger sides will seek to exploit.
For Fiji the narrow defeat will feel like an opportunity missed, but the performance should still be taken as evidence of growth. Their attack demonstrated the kind of width and tempo that can trouble any top tier side, and with a few tactical tweaks they can easily convert close losses into upsets.
As the World Cup moves to the knockout phase, the Kangaroos head into preparations aware that they will not be able to rely solely on individual brilliance. Coaching staff will be forced to balance protecting form players with a need to tighten structures. For fans, the match served as a reminder that the tournament is delivering intense entertainment and that favourites can be seriously tested on any given night.
Team news and the semi final schedule will be confirmed in the coming days as organisers finalise venues and kick off times. Australia’s next assignment will be watched closely by media and supporters, who will want reassurance that Sunday’s shaky victory was a wake up call that spurs tactical refinement rather than a sign of deeper trouble.