Samoa vs France is one of the opening matches of the Rugby League World Cup 2026. It kicks off at 5:45 PM AEDT on Friday 16 October 2026 at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta. This guide shows the kick-off time in your timezone and where to watch live on TV or online.
If you can't watch, follow the game on the Samoa vs France live page, or see the match page. For the teams, read the Samoa vs France line-ups, and for our view of the result, the Samoa vs France prediction.
Samoa vs France: match details
- Match: Samoa vs France (Toa Samoa v Les Chanticleers)
- Competition: Rugby League World Cup 2026, men's tournament
- Stage: Group stage, Round 1
- Date: Friday 16 October 2026
- Kick-off: 5:45 PM AEDT
- Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, Sydney
Samoa vs France kick-off time in your timezone
| Region | Local time (Friday 16 October) |
|---|---|
| Australia (AEDT, Sydney) | 5:45 PM |
| New Zealand (NZDT) | 7:45 PM |
| Samoa and Tonga | 7:45 PM |
| Fiji | 6:45 PM |
| Papua New Guinea | 4:45 PM |
| Bangladesh | 12:45 PM |
| India (IST) | 12:15 PM |
| South Africa | 8:45 AM |
| France (CEST) | 8:45 AM |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 7:45 AM |
| USA Eastern (ET) | 2:45 AM |
| USA Pacific (PT) | 11:45 PM (Thursday 15 October) |
Need another city? Use the RLWC 2026 schedule and switch region, and every kick-off updates.
How to watch Samoa vs France live on TV
Broadcast rights differ by country:
- Australia: Seven, free-to-air, and free to stream on 7plus (a free account is needed).
- New Zealand: free-to-air on ThreeNow, and on Sky Sport.
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports 2.
- USA and Canada: Premier Sports.
- Everywhere else: check the official RLWC 2026 site for live options in your region.
Packages and prices change often, so confirm on the broadcaster's own site before you subscribe. Our how to watch guide lists broadcasters by country for the whole tournament.
How to watch Samoa vs France online
- Free streams: 7plus in Australia and ThreeNow in New Zealand are the main free options.
- Paid streams: Premier Sports and Sky Sport stream through their own apps and websites.
- Use official sources only. Unofficial streams are often unreliable, and the official broadcasters give the best picture.
Watching from outside your home country? A broadcaster's service may only work inside its own territory, so check its terms before you pay.
Can't watch? Follow the live score
Early kick-offs are hard for fans in the UK, USA and Europe. Open the Samoa vs France live page for the countdown and the score. After full time, the result is added to the results page within minutes.
What to expect
Samoa, the 2022 runners-up, are strong favourites against a France side led by captain Benjamin Garcia. Jarome Luai and Junior Paulo are Samoa's co-captains, and the line-up is full of NRL names such as Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. France's spine of Arthur Mourgue, Cesar Rouge and Theo Fages is well drilled, and Mathieu Jussaume is their try threat from the forwards. Read the full Samoa vs France prediction and the line-ups before kick-off.
Tickets
Going in person? General tickets are sold through the official ticket seller, and our tickets guide explains where to look.
After the match
The full-time score goes on the Samoa vs France live page. Then look ahead to the rest of the tournament on the Rugby League World Cup live page, with every match, kick-off time and countdown, and read about Samoa and France.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Samoa vs France kick off?
Kick-off is 5:45 PM AEDT on Friday 16 October 2026. That is 7:45 PM in New Zealand, 7:45 AM in the UK (BST), 8:45 AM in France, 2:45 AM on the US East Coast (ET), 12:45 PM in Bangladesh and 12:15 PM in India.
Where is Samoa vs France being played?
The match is at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, Sydney.
How can I watch Samoa vs France in the UK?
Premier Sports 2 shows the match in the UK, with a 7:45 AM BST kick-off.
Is Samoa vs France free to watch?
In Australia the tournament is shown free on Seven and 7plus, and in New Zealand on ThreeNow. Elsewhere it is usually on a paid channel such as Premier Sports. Check the official RLWC 2026 site for your region.
Can I watch Samoa vs France in the USA or Canada?
Premier Sports shows the tournament in the USA and Canada. The match starts at 2:45 AM Eastern or 11:45 PM Pacific on Thursday night, so many fans choose to watch a replay.
Where can I follow the Samoa vs France live score?
Open the Samoa vs France live page on rlwcfans for the countdown and the score. The full-time score is added within minutes of the final whistle.