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New Zealand secured a convincing 32-0 victory over Samoa to reach the Women’s Rugby League World Cup final. The Kiwi Ferns will make their seventh successive appearance in the tournament’s showpiece match next Sunday.
Road to the Final and Past Heartache
New Zealand claimed the first three World Cup titles between 2000 and 2008, but their three trips to the final since then have all ended in defeat. Three consecutive losses to Australia include a 54-4 scoreline four years ago at Old Trafford. Australia is expected to provide the obstacle in the final unless debutants Fiji cause a major upset in the other semi-final.
Dominant Semi-Final Display in Newcastle
On Saturday, New Zealand handled blustery and difficult conditions inside Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium in New South Wales. Mackenzie Wiki opened the scoring less than two minutes into the match following a Samoa error. Dual-code international Stacey Waaka then capitalized on indecision from Samoa winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala to ground Raecene McGregor’s kick as storm clouds gathered overhead.
New Zealand conceded only 24 points across three group games and maintained defensive parsimony during a hard-fought first period. Samoa struggled to capitalize on field position due to handling errors. Despite the loss, Samoa saw bright spots in lock forward Fanua Rimoni and teenage winger Anastasia Leatupue during her international debut. However, Samoa struggled to get the ball to Leatupue in good attacking positions, while Pauline Piliae-Rasabale committed two forward passes on the right edge.
Waaka Stars in New Zealand Victory
As Samoa’s resistance waned, New Zealand accelerated their scoring in the second half. Waaka collected another pinpoint kick from McGregor for her second try, while Mele Hufanga held off three defenders to score. Kaiyah Atai matched that feat two minutes later. Waaka completed her hat-trick to cap a strong individual performance, and McGregor added a try to round off the win as reported by BBC Sport.
Stacey Waaka earned player of the match honors, stealing the spotlight in the New Zealand back-line by gaining 131 metres with searing breaks, scoring three tries, recording two line breaks, two line break assists, a try assist, and three tackle breaks.
