Reece Walsh hat-trick as Australia beat Samoa 44-12 to reach World Cup final

Australia defeated Samoa 44-12 at Sydney Football Stadium on 8 November 2026 to reach a 16th successive men's Rugby League World Cup final. Reece Walsh scored a hat-trick as Australia ran in eight tries to secure the victory.

Samoa's ceremonial war dance, the Siva Tau, turned into an intense pre-match face-off, with several Samoan players confronting their Australian opponents. Samoa took an early lead after three minutes when Stephen Crichton landed a penalty in front of the posts, but Australia asserted control thereafter. The Kangaroos have won the past three world titles in a row.

Tom Dearden opened Australia's scoring after picking up from a scrum and breaking through a non-existent line. Jacob Preston burst under the posts on 15 minutes and, 10 minutes later, Tom Trbojevic - joint-top World Cup scorer - claimed his eighth try of the tournament after Crichton reached into the ruck. Reece Walsh celebrated one of his tries with a backflip and Bradman Best crossed before half-time after bouncing off tackles into the corner.

Samoa's errors and ill-discipline allowed Australia to build a commanding lead despite early regional intensity. Crichton added a try in the second half following a Reece Walsh drop, and Isack Tago scored in the corner with 18 minutes left, but Walsh quickly responded to both Samoan scores and completed his first international hat-trick. Bostock added gloss with eight to go, while Munster kicked six goals.

A contentious moment came on the half-hour when Crichton appeared to have grounded the ball after Francis Manuleleua beat Walsh to a high ball; a slow-motion replay led to the decision that Manuleleua had knocked on. The situation contributed to tensions that saw Spencer Leniu sin-binned for speaking out of turn to referee Adam Gee just before the break.

The match report praised Jacob Preston's industry and punch on the left edge, highlighting his try, his timing and hands to set up Bradman Best, and his repeated challenges to Samoa's back row. Harry Grant was noted for his probing from hooker, Reece Walsh for his hat-trick, and Samoa captain Stephen Crichton for leading with quality and effort; "Preston though edges it - work-rate and contribution in tandem for the Kangaroos."

Australia will face New Zealand in Brisbane next Sunday with kick-off at 08:35 GMT in a repeat of the previous World Cup final.