Australia vs Samoa RLWC 2026: NRL Heroes Cards to Watch
Tonga's 20-18 win over Samoa on 1 November, before a ground-record 29,411 fans at CommBank Stadium, confirmed the draw: Australia vs Samoa, Sunday 8 November, Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Both squads have 2026 Select NRL League Heroes cards worth knowing. Here's the collector's guide.
How Did the Semi-Final Get Confirmed?
Samoa crossed four times to Tonga's three but lost on missed conversions and a Fonua-Blake try in the 73rd minute. A Sua Fa'alogo try that would have won it was ruled out with his foot on the line. Australia, meanwhile, coasted through pool play undefeated: three wins, zero losses, including a 66-6 demolition of the Cook Islands.
Which Stephen Crichton Card Should Samoa Collectors Chase?
The Bulldogs captain was born in Apia, represents Samoa internationally, and captains NSW Blues in State of Origin: three jerseys, one of the more layered bios in the set. At this World Cup he's scored 2 tries and kicked 12 goals across pool play, and he scored the field goal that sent Samoa to the 2022 World Cup final. This is the semi-final player card to know.
His headline insert is TG013 TRYumph Gold (/80). Mercury M026 (/450) is the accessible numbered option. Game Breakers GB18 and Bang Gold BG012 round out the key inserts. Checklist note: GT003 is a Bulldogs team redemption card with Crichton's image on it; redeeming it gets you a full team set, not a solo card.
Which Other Samoa Cards Are Worth Chasing?
- Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers): scored twice against Tonga (38', 50'). TG070 TRYumph Gold (/80), Gladiators G107 (/599), Game Breakers GB95.
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins): scored in the 63rd minute. TG028 TRYumph Gold (/80), Mercury M060 (/450). GT005 on the checklist is a Dolphins team redemption, not a solo Tabuai-Fidow card.
- Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels): Samoa's enforcer in the middle. TG063 TRYumph Gold (/80), Mercury M127 (/450).
- All cards show NRL club jerseys: Bulldogs, Panthers, Dolphins, Eels. That's standard for this set, not a misprint.
What Cards Does Australia Bring?
Reece Walsh was covered in depth in yesterday's POTM piece; short version: TG004 TRYumph Gold (/80) is his headline insert, with TRYumph Black TB02 (/50, hobby) and Gladiators Gold GG006 (/140, hobby) for the deep hunters. Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs) adds TG075 TRYumph Gold (/80) and Game Breakers GB101 to Australia's card roll call.
Is Chanel Harris-Tavita Playing?
The Warriors halfback strained his hamstring during the Tonga match and is doubtful for Sunday; scan results were expected on 2 November but no official ruling had been issued at time of writing. Ronald Volkman (Parramatta Eels, 24) is named as his replacement. Harris-Tavita has 2026 NRL League Heroes cards (base #202, Mercury M186 /450), but his semi-final status makes this a wait-and-see.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the Australia vs Samoa RLWC 2026 semi-final?
Sunday 8 November 2026, Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Kick-off 10:05pm AEDT.
What are Stephen Crichton's key 2026 Select NRL League Heroes cards?
TG013 TRYumph Gold (/80) is his headline insert. Mercury M026 (/450) and Game Breakers GB18 are the other main ones. GT003 is a Bulldogs team redemption card; redeeming it delivers a full team set, not a solo Crichton.
Brian To'o scored twice against Tonga: what are his League Heroes cards?
TG070 TRYumph Gold (/80) is the headline insert. Gladiators G107 (/599) and Game Breakers GB95 are the other notable ones in the 2026 Select NRL League Heroes set.
Why do the cards show NRL club jerseys instead of Samoa or Australia colours?
2026 Select NRL League Heroes is built around NRL clubs. All players appear in their club jerseys: Bulldogs, Panthers, Dolphins and so on. That's by design.
How can I find out what my RLWC player cards are worth?
Snap a photo in CardLoft to log and value your cards privately, handy when Australian secondary-market sales data is thin on the ground.
