New Zealand Shut Out Samoa to Reach Women’s Rugby League World Cup Final
Stacey Waaka scores a hat-trick as the Kiwi Ferns claim a 32-0 semi-final win in Newcastle to book their place in the decider.
New Zealand marched into the Women’s Rugby League World Cup final on Saturday afternoon, defeating Fetu Samoa 32-0 in their semi-final clash in Newcastle behind a clinical hat-trick from dual-code international Stacey Waaka.
The Kiwi Ferns capitalised on early Samoan errors and finished with devastating late momentum, scoring four tries in the final 12 minutes to put the result beyond doubt. The victory books New Zealand a place in next weekend’s tournament decider, where they will contest the title against either reigning champions Australia or Fiji.
Samoa Pressure Repelled Early
New Zealand opened the scoring inside two minutes when winger Mackenze Wiki crossed out wide after seizing on an unforced Samoan turnover. Despite the immediate setback, Fetu Samoa controlled significant stretches of the first half, pinning New Zealand inside their own territory with disciplined sets.
However, Samoa failed to convert pressure into points. New Zealand repelled a sustained five-minute assault on their try-line before punishing Samoa’s lapse in concentration at the opposite end. Waaka pounced after winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala hesitated to secure a grubber kick from playmaker Raecene McGregor, securing her first four-pointer and sending the Kiwi Ferns into the break with an 8-0 lead.
Late Flurry Seals Final Berth
Five minutes after the restart, the McGregor-Waaka connection struck again. Another measured kick into space allowed Waaka to touch down for her second try, pushing the advantage to 14 points and dampening Samoa’s comeback hopes.
As fatigue set in during the closing stages, New Zealand accelerated through the middle of the field. McGregor, centre Mele Hufanga, and back-rower Kaiyah Atai each crossed the whitewash before Waaka completed her hat-trick to seal a seven-try victory.
The three-try display lifted Waaka to nine tries for the tournament, drawing her level with Australian winger Jaime Chapman at the top of the competition scoring charts.
A Shot at World Cup Redemption
The result puts New Zealand one win away from reclaiming the World Cup trophy. The Kiwi Ferns will look to avenge their 54-4 loss to Australia in the previous tournament final, awaiting the outcome of Sunday's semi-final between the Jillaroos and Fiji in Brisbane.
For Samoa, while the late barrage widened the final margin, a semi-final appearance represents a milestone campaign for their emerging international programme.
