Stacey Waaka scored three tries as New Zealand beat Samoa 32–0 in the women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final. Captain Raecene McGregor supplied decisive kicks and added the final try. The Kiwi Ferns withstood Samoa’s early pressure in Newcastle and now await Australia or Fiji in the November 15 final.
New Zealand defeated Samoa 32–0 in the women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final in Newcastle, Australia. Stacey Waaka scored three tries for the Kiwi Ferns, the New Zealand women’s team. Captain Raecene McGregor’s kicks supplied two of those scores, and she completed the scoring with a try of her own. The winners will play in the November 15 final against Australia or Fiji, whose semi-final is scheduled for Sunday.[1], [2]
Mackenzie Wiki put New Zealand ahead in the second minute with a diving finish in the corner. Samoa’s physical defence then forced handling mistakes, and repeated attacks kept play in the New Zealand half. The Kiwi Ferns held out. McGregor’s short chip bounced awkwardly near the try line, allowing Waaka to collect it for her first score. New Zealand led 8–0 at half-time. Strong wind shook the goalposts and made it difficult for Chantay Kiria-Ratu to keep the ball on the kicking tee.[1]
After Mele Hufanga kept an attack alive with an offload, McGregor stepped inside a defender and kicked across the field to Waaka. Her second try and Kiria-Ratu’s conversion made it 14–0 after 45 minutes. Samoa’s attempted response was disrupted by forward passes. Hufanga and Kaiya Atai scored on consecutive sets as New Zealand pulled clear by the 60th minute. Annessa Biddle’s flying flick pass supplied Waaka’s third try before McGregor added the last score.[1]
