Tedesco's captain's knock saves Australia as brave Fiji fall just short in Rugby League World Cup classic

A World Cup scare in Brisbane

BRISBANE — Australia are through to the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup 2026, but only after surviving a mighty fright from Fiji at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday evening. The Kangaroos eventually won 36-22 in Group A, yet for much of the second half the Bati were chasing what would have been the greatest upset in World Cup history, in front of 41,108 fans in Brisbane.

Fiji had lost all seven previous rugby league Tests against Australia, and their closest result in that run had been a 34-2 defeat in a 2013 World Cup pool match. This was different, very different. The Bati dominated Australia up front in a stunning display of forward punch and impact in the opening half, even though they still trailed 12-10 at the break, and they then took the lead early in the second half to leave the home crowd stunned.

The class of Australia captain and fullback James Tedesco eventually told. AAP described his performance as a captain's knock, and it was his decisive second-half interventions that lifted the Kangaroos out of trouble after Fiji had led 16-12. Tom Trbojevic scored a hat-trick for Australia after those acts of Tedesco genius, turning a contest that had slipped away from the favourites back in their favour.

How the game turned

Australia had opened the scoring when Tedesco went into first receiver and found a scintillating pass to put right centre Kotoni Staggs over for the first try. Fiji answered in style. Kurt Donoghoe threw a sensational cut-out pass to send winger Semi Valemei in, before Brandon Wakeham's slick grubber was swooped upon by second-rower Taane Milne to give the Bati a stunning lead. Tedesco then darted from dummy-half on the last tackle to set up a long-range try, with half Sam Walker handling twice on the way to scoring, and that left Australia narrowly ahead at half-time.

Fiji refused to go away after the break. Donoghoe was at it again with a magical cut-out ball for Valemei, and the Bati led 16-12. An obstruction, correctly ruled, then denied Solomone Saukuru a try from another Donoghoe pass, and that moment proved to be a turning point. Minutes later, Tedesco found a pass for Trbojevic to score out wide after excellent lead-up work from Walker.

A Tedesco grubber then ricocheted into the arms of Trbojevic for his second try, and when he crossed for a third the result appeared secure. Donoghoe, however, had other ideas and set up Valemei again for a hat-trick of his own, before Jacob Preston sealed the deal for Australia with the last of the Kangaroos' six tries. Australia's tries came from Staggs, Walker, Trbojevic with three, and Preston, while Fiji's came from Valemei with three and Milne.

Donoghoe stars for the Bati

Donoghoe was outstanding for the Bati. After a stellar season for the Dolphins, the Fiji five-eighth did everything in his power to conjure the greatest win in his country's rugby league history, supplying three try assists, all for Valemei. His halves partner Wakeham was also involved in several good things the Bati did, and Fiji lock Caleb Navale produced a brilliant display as the best forward on the park, after returning post-surgery in 186 days from a pre-season anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

Australia coach Kevin Walters was honest about his side's performance. "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." Australia found a way to win, but were pushed to the limit.

The win books Australia a semi-final place in top spot in Group A. The Kangaroos will play at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on Sunday, 8 November in their semi-final. Australia had earlier edged New Zealand 24-22 in their opening match, and this second win underlined their position at the top of the group, even if the performance left Walters demanding more.

What comes next

Fiji, crucially, stay alive in the tournament. The Bati must beat New Zealand on the Gold Coast on Saturday to join Australia in the knockout rounds, in what now shapes as a winner-takes-all shootout for a semi-final berth. Fiji already have competition points from beating the Cook Islands in their opener, while New Zealand were resounding 82-16 winners against the Cook Islands earlier on Sunday. With only the top two sides progressing, Saturday's match will decide who goes through with Australia.

Fiji captain Api Koroisau said the belief in his squad had only grown after pushing the Kangaroos so close. "Even before the game we had a lot of belief and we showed that the way we played," Koroisau said. "That belief's only grown going into this game against New Zealand." That belief is now Fiji's most valuable asset heading to the Gold Coast, where a win over the Kiwis would be a remarkable recovery from a night that began with seven straight defeats against Australia.

For Fiji, there was no upset, but there was proof: the Bati can dominate Australia up front, and Donoghoe and Valemei can hurt the best defence in the tournament. The scoreboard read Australia 36, Fiji 22 in rugby league's World Cup. The story was how close Fiji came to rewriting it — and how much danger they will carry into Saturday against New Zealand.