Gold Coast Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has confirmed he will play for Australia at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, likely striking a front-row combination with Queensland Maroons teammate Patrick Carrigan.
The duo started up front for Kevin Walters and the Kangaroos last year during the Ashes tour of the United Kingdom, and the pair will now likely form two parts of the middle third for the World Cup.
Fa'asuamaleaui's country of allegiance for 2026 had been up in the air until this week, with the prop also able to play for Samoa, as he has done previously.
Under International Rugby League rules, players are only allowed to represent one Tier 1 nation in their career, but can switch back and forth between Tier 2 nations they are eligible for once per year.
The former Melbourne Storm player has been among the best forwards in the game since his move to the Titans and will be a walk-up starter for the Kangaroos during the World Cup.
News Corp is reporting that Kevin Walters has confirmed the move for Fa'asuamaleaui to wear the green and gold this year.
“I've had chats with Tino. He is playing for Australia,” Walters said per the report.
Fa'asuamaleaui and Carrigan will likely be joined by Cameron Murray in the starting middle third with the Rabbitoh the most likely lock forward, although NSW Origin captain Isaah Yeo is also a chance if he passes fitness tests, having played the NRL finals series through a pectoral muscle injury.
The likes of Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Collins and Mitch Barnett are also favoured to be picked as part of the 23-man group for the tournament, which kicks off between the Kangaroos and New Zealand in Sydney on October 15.
