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The Finals Countdown: Kiwis face Fiji in must-win World Cup clash
Sport Nation • October 28th, 2026 11:51 am
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad with Keano Kin during the Kiwis' Rugby League World Cup 2026 match vs Cook Islands | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The knockout stages of Rugby League World Cup 2026 are nearly upon us, and the stakes couldn't be higher for the New Zealand Kiwis.
In the latest episode of The Finals Countdown, hosts Sam Ackerman and Mitch James break down New Zealand's must-win Round 3 clash against Fiji Bati.
While the Kiwis head into the match as heavy $1.01 favorites on betcha against a $34 Fiji side, no New Zealand fan can easily forget the heartbreak of the 2017 tournament. That year, Fiji famously eliminated the Kiwis 4-2 at the quarter-final stage in Wellington - a match the hosts recall as a horrific viewing experience.
Ackerman and James also analyse the squad named - highlighting Keano Kini's retention at fullback and the halves pairing of Kodi Nikorima and Jahrome Hughes. The hosts stress the need for ruthless execution for a full 80 minutes, noting that New Zealand cannot afford a repeat of their sloppy early performance against the Cook Islands or their recent defeat to Australia.
Beyond the Kiwis, the episode dives into the wider tournament picture including he highly anticipated all-Pacific battle between unbeaten sides Tonga and Samoa, which promises to be the clash of the century, as well as England's must-win matchup against Papua New Guinea.
Watch the full episode below to get all the insights, odds, and analysis before kickoff. Sport Nation has live and free commentary of the Kiwis vs Fiji from 4pm Saturday, with kick-off set for 5.30pm
Watch the full show via the Sport Nation YouTube below:
All betcha odds are current at the time of publishing - R18, please gamble responsibly.
