The short version
- Australia defeated Fiji 36-22 to reach the semi-finals, though coach Kevin Walters expressed concern over defensive lapses and a slow start.
- New Zealand men’s team crushed the Cook Islands 82-16, with Jamayne Isaako setting a new single-game points record of 38.
- The New Zealand women’s team continued their dominance by defeating France 92-0, extending their combined World Cup winning margin against the French to 236-0.
Australia has advanced to the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals following a hard-fought 36-22 victory over Fiji in Brisbane. The result secures Kevin Walters’ side a place in the final four, but the performance raised questions about the team’s consistency and defensive solidity. Despite the win, Australia struggled to establish early momentum, allowing Fiji to control territory for much of the first half and take a 16-12 lead into the second period. The match remained tight until a pivotal sequence near the end of the game shifted the balance decisively in favor of the Australians.
The turning point arrived during a brief but critical interval when Fiji appeared to extend their lead through a try by Solomone Saukuru. However, the score was disallowed due to obstruction. Australia capitalized on the momentum shift, with Tom Trbojevic crossing for a try that leveled the contest. Trbojevic went on to complete a hat-trick, providing the offensive spark needed to pull away from a Fiji side that had historically been outclassed by Australia in previous encounters. Jacob Preston added another try for Australia after Semi Valemei had scored his third of the match for Fiji.
Despite the victory, the manner of the win offered little comfort to Australian coaches. The forward pack was visibly outmuscled at key moments, and the defense showed vulnerability against Fiji’s attacking threats, particularly Taane Milne and Valemei. Trbojevic acknowledged these shortcomings in post-match comments, noting that the team did not start as intended and lacked flow early on. He emphasized the need for self-criticism despite securing the two points required to advance, suggesting that the performance fell short of the squad’s potential.
In other pool play action, New Zealand’s men’s team bounced back from an opening defeat to Australia with a commanding 82-16 victory over the Cook Islands in Christchurch. The match featured a record-breaking individual performance by Jamayne Isaako, who scored 38 points. This haul included three tries and 13 conversions, surpassing the previous single-game record of 32 points set by Tasesa Lavea against the same opponent in 2000. Isaako’s contribution was instrumental in overcoming an early scare, as the Cook Islands rallied from a 12-0 deficit to briefly lead 16-12 before New Zealand reasserted control.
New Zealand’s dominance was further evidenced by their scoring depth, with multiple players contributing to the tally. Esom Ioka scored a hat-trick of tries, while Test debutant Tanner Stowers-Smith, Ronaldo Mulitalo, and Casey McLean each crossed twice. Other try-scorers included Scott Sorensen, Kodi Nikorima, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, and Keano Kini, who replaced the injured Kalyn Ponga in the backline. The comprehensive victory ensures New Zealand remains firmly on track for a semi-final berth, with their final pool match against Papua New Guinea scheduled for October 31.
The New Zealand women’s team also delivered a statement performance, defeating France 92-0 in the same stadium. The Kiwi Ferns showcased overwhelming superiority, scoring 18 tries in total. Apii Nicholls led the offensive charge with four tries, while Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga each scored hat-tricks. Raecene McGregor contributed significantly both as a scorer and creator, laying on five tries and adding two of her own. Mackenzie Wiki and Tenika Willison also crossed twice, highlighting the depth of New Zealand’s attacking options.
This latest victory extends New Zealand’s historical dominance over France in World Cup competition, with the combined score across three encounters now standing at 236-0 in favor of the Kiwis. The women’s team will conclude their pool campaign against Papua New Guinea on October 31, looking to secure a favorable semi-final matchup. Current projections suggest they may face either Samoa or England in the next round, depending on other results.
The tournament structure now sets up crucial final pool matches that will determine the remaining semi-finalists. Fiji faces France in their concluding group game, while New Zealand takes on Papua New Guinea. The outcomes of these fixtures will finalize the seeding for the knockout stages. For Australia, the focus shifts to addressing the defensive issues exposed by Fiji as they prepare for a high-stakes semi-final encounter. The contrast between Australia’s narrow escape and New Zealand’s comprehensive victories underscores the varying levels of form among the top contenders heading into the business end of the tournament.
As the competition moves toward its climax, the disparity in performance quality becomes evident. Australia’s path to the semi-finals was marked by unconvincing displays against both New Zealand and Fiji, relying on late-game execution rather than sustained dominance. In contrast, New Zealand has demonstrated consistent offensive firepower across both men’s and women’s squads. The upcoming matches will test whether Australia can tighten their defensive structure or if their vulnerabilities will be exploited by stronger opponents in the semi-finals.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Australia reach World Cup semis & New Zealand get back on track
