Sharks’ men at the World Cup: Round 2

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Tue 27 Oct 2026, 03:00 PM

Blayke Brailey became Kangaroo #866, Sione Katoa scored the first and last tries of Tonga's shutout, and Ronaldo Mulitalo bagged a double for the Kiwis as the Sharks' men made their mark in Round 2 of the Rugby League World Cup.

Six Sharks took the field for their countries, and four of them finished on the winning side.

Here's how every Shark fared in week two.

Blayke Brailey (Australia)
Result: Australia 36 def. Fiji 22, Suncorp Stadium, Sunday 25 October

• Test debut, starting at hooker as Kangaroo #866

• Ran from dummy half to start the move for Tom Trbojevic's second half try

• Won the penalty that let Australia retake the lead in the 55th minute

The Sharks co-captain finally got his green and gold debut, a year after touring with the Kangaroos without playing. It was a tough night in the middle against a strong Fijian pack but his second-half work from dummy half helped the Kangaroos turn the game around and seal a semi-final spot.

Ronaldo Mulitalo (New Zealand)
Result: New Zealand 82 def. Cook Islands 16, One NZ Stadium, Sunday 25 October

• 2 tries (6th and 64th minutes)

• 208 run metres, the most of any Kiwi

Mulitalo was one of the Kiwis' best as they bounced back from their Round 1 loss. He scored the second try of the game and finished with a double.

Briton Nikora (New Zealand)
Result: New Zealand 82 def. Cook Islands 16

• Named on the interchange but not used

Nikora moved to the bench after starting in Round 1 and stayed there as the Kiwis ran away with the game.

KL Iro (Cook Islands)
Result: Cook Islands 16 lost to New Zealand 82

• Captained the Aitu from centre

Iro led the Cook Islands to a brief 16-12 lead in the first half, before the Kiwis pulled away. After the game, he said the match was a valuable chance for their young players to test themselves against a class side.

Sione Katoa (Tonga)
Result: Tonga 36 def. Lebanon 0, CommBank Stadium, Friday 23 October

• 2 tries (13th and 79th minutes)

Katoa opened the scoring in the corner off a Lehi Hopoate cut-out pass, then finished the game with another four-pointer a minute from full-time. Tonga are now 2-0.

Addin Fonua-Blake (Tonga)
Result: Tonga 36 def. Lebanon 0

• Started at prop as co-captain

Fonua-Blake and fellow co-captain Jason Taumalolo led Tonga's forward drives. Their defence kept Lebanon scoreless for the full 80 minutes.