Congratulations to Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players Caleb Navale, Brandon Wakeham and Kylan Mafoa on being selected to represent Fiji at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Navale has been a regular starter for Fiji in recent years having made his international debut in the 2023 Pacific Championships.
He again lined up for Fiji in matches against the Cook Islands and PNG in the 2024 and 2025 Pacific Champs, starting at lock in all seven appearances over the past few years.
It’s been a remarkable recovery from Navale who returned to playing in near record time in the final round of the 2026 NRL season after rupturing his ACL on the eve of the pre-season trials.
Brandon Wakeham heads into the 2026 RLWC in career best form after making 17 appearances for the Sea Eagles in the NRL this season.
He has been a mainstay in the Bati lineup over the past six years, starting at halfback in all 12 international appearances.
His form this season at Manly came in the No.9 jersey where he was the first choice starting hooker in 15 games, coming off the interchange twice.
Young prop Kylan Mafoa has played in Manly’s senior pathways teams over the past few years, playing Jersey Flegg in 2023 and 2024, before progressing to the NSW Cup.
He made his international debut with Fiji in 2024 and was again in the Bati team in last year’s Pacific Championships.
Fiji 23-man squad
Bayleigh Bentley-Hape (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Waqa Blake (St Helens)
Kurt Donoghoe (Dolphins)
Apenisa Driti (Northern Pride)
Kitione Kautoga (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Elijah Keung (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers)
Josese Lanyon (Wests Tigers)
Jordan Leiu (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Joseph Litidamu (Fiji Bati)
Kylan Mafoa (Manly Sea Eagles)
Taane Milne (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Caleb Navale (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jimmy Ngutlik (Western Suburbs Magpies)
Ronald Philitoga (North Sydney Bears)
Mitchell Prest (Mackay Cutters)
Emosi Ravosai (Kaiviti Silktails)
Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
Solomone Saukuru (Wests Tigers)
Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers)
Semi Valemei (Castleford Tigers)
Brandon Wakeham (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jordan Miller (Wests Tigers)
Fiji opens its tournament on October 18 in Newcastle against the Cook Islands, before clashing with New Zealand and Australia.
Men's World Cup
Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands
Group B: England, Samoa, Lebanon
Group C: Tonga, Papua New Guinea, France
The Men's tournament begins on October 15 with Australia facing New Zealand at Allianz Stadium.
