The short version
- Australia secured their place in the Rugby League World Cup final with a decisive victory over Samoa in Sydney.
- Full-back Reece Walsh scored three tries but faced scrutiny for handling errors and on-field confrontations.
- The Kangaroos will face New Zealand in the final, renewing a rivalry that dates back to Australia's last World Cup loss.
Australia has advanced to the Rugby League World Cup final after dismantling Samoa with a comprehensive 44-12 victory in Sydney. The result marks the Kangaroos' sixteenth consecutive appearance in the championship decider, reinforcing their dominance in the sport. The match was characterized by high intensity and controversy, centering largely on the performance of Australian full-back Reece Walsh, whose contributions were both instrumental to the win and a source of significant concern for the coaching staff.
Walsh scored three of Australia's eight tries, including an international hat-trick that helped secure the victory. His first effort came in the thirty-second minute, exploiting a minor defensive lapse by Samoa to race through a narrow gap on the left flank. The celebration that followed—a backflip performed in front of approximately 40,000 spectators—drew immediate attention. While coach Kevin Walters later defended the stunt as a gesture for sick children who had requested it, the incident highlighted the unpredictable nature of Walsh's playstyle.
The second half saw Walsh continue to influence the game physically and strategically. He scored two more tries that effectively stifled a growing Samoan comeback attempt. However, his performance was not without significant flaws. Just before his first try, Samoa appeared to have grounded the ball to narrow the scoreline, but a slow-motion review resulted in a debatable call of a knock-on by Australian player Francis Manuleleua. This decision prevented Samoa from closing the gap early and provided a crucial reprieve for the Australian defense.
Tensions escalated further when Walsh was ruled to have been dangerously tackled. Rather than remaining passive, Walsh instigated a ruck following the incident, drawing criticism for his conduct. These moments underscored the risks associated with relying on a player known for his charisma and flair but also for his inconsistency. Walters acknowledged these issues in post-match comments, noting that while Walsh brings unexpected elements to the team, his mistakes are an inherent part of his game.
The coaching staff's decision to start Walsh over James Tedesco, who was named player of the match in the recent NRL Grand Final, has been a point of discussion. Walters expressed confidence in Walsh's ability to handle high balls and create opportunities, despite the errors observed against Samoa. The coach emphasized that the team's collective performance is more important than individual perfection, suggesting that Walsh's offensive contributions outweigh his defensive lapses for now.
Australia's path to the final has been flawless, maintaining a 100 percent record at this tournament with 170 points scored across four matches. Their last defeat in a World Cup came against New Zealand in the 2008 final, and they have won twenty-two consecutive games since that time. This streak includes victories in the past three tournaments, establishing a formidable legacy that the current squad is determined to extend.
The upcoming final will feature a rematch of sorts between Walsh and New Zealand full-back Kalyn Ponga. The two players engaged in a thrilling battle during the opening game on October 15, where Australia won 24-22. Ponga played for twenty minutes with a broken arm in that match before returning to deliver a man-of-the-match performance against Tonga in the semi-final. His resilience and skill present a significant challenge for Walsh and the Australian defense.
Walters recalled the physical toll of the opening encounter, noting that Walsh was vomiting in the changing room due to the exertion required to secure that narrow victory. The coach indicated that similar levels of effort may be needed against New Zealand. The focus for the Australian team is on executing their game plan as a unit rather than relying solely on individual brilliance. If they can manage the physical and tactical demands, they aim to avoid a repeat of the 2008 final outcome.
For Samoa, the defeat marks the end of their second successive World Cup campaign. They previously lost to Australia in the semi-finals four years ago by a score of 30-10. The two nations have met six times, with Australia winning every encounter. This latest match was particularly painful for Samoa, who entered with confidence and displayed an aggressive pre-match war dance. Despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome Australia's depth and Walsh's explosive scoring ability.
The final will take place in Brisbane next Sunday, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash between two historic rivals. Both teams have demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the tournament, but Australia's consistency and Walsh's dual nature as both a creator of magic and a source of errors will be key factors. The outcome could define the legacy of this World Cup and potentially extend or end Australia's long-standing dominance in the sport.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗'That's Reece' - World Cup semi-final brings out best and worst of Walsh
