New Zealand beat Samoa 32-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium to reach Women's Rugby League World Cup final
New Zealand defeated Samoa 32-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, New South Wales, on Saturday to reach next Sunday’s Women’s Rugby League World Cup final, with Stacey Waaka scoring a hat-trick.
The result sends the Kiwi Ferns into a seventh successive World Cup final; they won the first three finals between 2000 and 2008 but have lost on each of their three subsequent appearances. New Zealand’s recent final defeats included three straight losses to Australia, among them a 54-4 reverse at Old Trafford four years ago, and the team will await the outcome of the other semi-final between Australia and debutants Fiji before knowing their final opponent.
Conditions inside McDonald Jones Stadium were blustery and difficult, but New Zealand scored almost immediately when Mackenzie Wiki touched down less than two minutes into the match following a Samoa error. The early score set the tone for a match in which New Zealand combined defensive control and efficient finishing.
Stacey Waaka capitalised on indecision by Samoa winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala to collect and ground Raecene McGregor’s kick for one of her three tries; she later finished runs created by McGregor’s kicking and support play. Mele Hufanga crossed after holding off three defenders, Kaiyah Atai scored shortly afterwards, and McGregor herself finished the scoring for New Zealand.
Match statistics and scorers were recorded as follows: Tries — Wiki, Waaka 3, Hufanga, Atai, McGregor; Goals — Kiria-Ratu 2. New Zealand conceded just 24 points across their three group games and showed the defensive parsimony referenced during a hard-fought first half against Samoa.
Samoa produced some encouraging individual displays despite the loss: Fanua Rimoni was prominent at lock forward and teenage winger Anastasia Leatupue produced a nerveless performance on her international debut. Samoa’s attack was undermined by handling errors and an inability to convert field position into points, with Pauline Piliae-Rasabale pulled up twice for forward passes on the right edge.
Waaka’s personal contribution included 131 metres gained, two line breaks and two line break assists, a try assist and three tackle breaks; she has represented New Zealand in rugby sevens, rugby union and rugby league and is playing at her first Rugby League World Cup. New Zealand’s tempo lifted around Waaka’s influence after a slow start and the Kiwis closed out the match without conceding.
New Zealand will contest next Sunday’s final; unless debutants Fiji upset Australia in the other semi-final, the Jillaroos are likely to be the Kiwi Ferns’ opponents as they bid to become four-time champions.