Waaka's three tries carry New Zealand past Samoa
Stacey Waaka crossed three times as New Zealand defeated Fetu Samoa 32-0 in the Women's Rugby League World Cup semifinals, securing a place in the decider for the seventh time in as many editions. The Kiwi Ferns have now reached the final of every women's world championship held since the competition was first staged in 2000. Waaka's hat-trick lifted her tally to eight tries across the tournament.[S1][S2]
The cross-code international has already collected two Olympic gold medals in rugby sevens and two Rugby Union World Cups with New Zealand. Against Samoa she again proved decisive, charging onto kicks that the Samoans allowed to bounce and finishing both chances either side of half-time. Her second try, in the 44th minute, pushed the margin to 14 points.[S1][S2]
New Zealand's scoring burst arrived late. Mele Hufanga touched down in the 58th minute, Kaiyah Atai two minutes later and Waaka again in the 64th, a three-try flurry across six minutes that removed any doubt about the outcome. Captain Raecene McGregor added a further try three minutes from full-time to complete the win.[S1][S2]
Samoa's maiden semifinal undone by handling errors
Fetu Samoa were appearing in a World Cup semifinal for the first time and their opening set set the tone, with hooker Mary-Jane Taito throwing a forward pass. New Zealand punished the mistake almost immediately, winger Mackenzie Wiki touching down in the right corner after two minutes.[S1][S2]
Samoa steadied through determined defence, and errors hampered both teams, with New Zealand committing nine and Samoa seven. The Pacific Island side's clearest opportunity came midway through the first half, when four consecutive sets on the Kiwi Ferns' line produced no points, and they did not threaten again before the interval.[S1]
Conditions at Hunter Stadium deteriorated as the wind strengthened and dark clouds gathered. Samoa's handling problems and failure to convert possession into points allowed New Zealand to pull away once the Ferns found their rhythm in the closing quarter.[S1][S2]
Defence pleases Hale as Ferns wait on opponent
Co-captain Georgia Hale said keeping Samoa scoreless pleased her more than the size of the winning margin, describing the Samoans as physical opponents and praising her side's goal-line defence. She said the team's overriding aim is the World Cup title, which requires reaching the grand final, and that the players are excited about the week ahead.[S2]
The result followed a far tighter previous meeting between the two nations, when New Zealand had to overturn a 20-point deficit before winning 22-20. New Zealand will meet either Australia or Fiji, who contest the second semifinal in Sydney on Sunday, with the unbeaten Jillaroos widely regarded as favourites to progress.[S1][S2]
New Zealand won the first three Women's Rugby League World Cups, in 2000, 2003 and 2008, but Australia have taken the last three tournaments. The Ferns are therefore chasing a fourth title, and Waaka, alongside the halves pairing of Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Raecene McGregor, is central to that pursuit.[S2]
