Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v Samoa in the second semi-final of the 2026 men’s Rugby League World Cup. Kick-off at Allianz Stadium in Sydney is from 8.05pm local time (9.05am GMT).

The penultimate fixture of a thoroughly entertaining tournament will determine who will start the 2026 men’s rugby league world cup final against New Zealand as underdogs. It would be among the greatest upsets in the sport’s history if Australia are not on the bill to face the Kiwis in Brisbane next weekend but the Kangaroos have yet to hit any kind of form and they will be facing a fiercely motivated foe in Samoa.

To say Australia’s world cup so far has been underwhelming but would be an understatement. Kevin Walters’ squad and team selection has invited criticism, his forward pack has been well beaten twice, and matches have been won by moments of individual brilliance as opposed to methodical representative football. If the strategy has to been to ease into the contest after a gruelling NRL season then tonight is when the shackles have to be removed.

Samoa boast a side studded with State of Origin matchwinners, many of whom would command places in the current Australian line-up. And they will have a point to prove after falling narrowly to Tonga last time out in a match where they had enough chances to win.

They have the power up front to rattle Australia, and the strike out wide to finish them off. The challenge will be whether the spine can control proceedings when the stakes are so high.

I’ll be back with final team lists and more shortly. Please send me your emails and keep me company throughout the evening. The address is jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com.