Samoa reach first women’s World Cup semi-final with England win
Samoa defeated England 24–6 in Wollongong to reach the Women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-finals for the first time. Freedom Crichton Ropati scored 3 first-half tries. England could not turn second-half openings into a comeback, and Samoa will next face New Zealand in Newcastle after returning to the tournament for the first time since 2008.
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Samoa book their first semi-final
Samoa’s women’s rugby league team defeated England 24–6 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong, Australia, to reach a World Cup semi-final for the first time. Their return to the tournament, after an absence since 2008, will continue with a match against New Zealand in Newcastle. England were eliminated after failing to recover from a first-half deficit.[1], [2]
Freedom Crichton Ropati scored 3 tries before the break and was named player of the match. Samoa led 12–0 at halftime, with none of those tries converted. Playing with the wind in the opening half, they repeatedly found space on England’s left defensive edge.[1], [2]
Crichton Ropati scores three before halftime
Ivana Lolesio’s long pass sent Crichton Ropati into the right corner for the opening try in the ninth minute. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale and Tyra Ekepati combined for her second in the eighteenth. Ekepati supplied another pass in the thirtieth minute, allowing the winger to complete her hat-trick as Samoa continued to control possession.[1]
Samoa held 61 per cent of possession. After the interval, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala scored before England could make use of the changed wind. Evie Cousins then crossed on England’s left edge, and Isabel Rowe’s conversion reduced the margin to 10 points. England’s opportunity to reverse the game came in the second half.[1], [2]
England’s openings go unconverted
Georgia Roche’s long kick gave England an attacking chance, but an error ended that opening. Piliae-Rasabale then kicked a penalty to make the score 18–6. Another late chance followed a dropped high ball by Crichton Ropati, only for Fran Goldthorp’s pass towards Anna Davies to go forward.[1]
Samoa captain Evania Isa’ako supplied Fanua Rimoni for the closing try. Rimoni finished with 132 metres from 13 runs, while fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati gained 191 metres. England captain Jodie Cunningham’s 4th World Cup ended with the defeat, after 38 Test appearances. Samoa’s semi-final will be played at McDonald Jones Stadium.[1]
