Sports07 November, 20262 min read
Archive photo · 4 October 2017Kiwi Ferns Reach Women’s Rugby League World Cup Final After 32-0 Win Over Samoa
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New Zealand Kiwi Ferns defeated Samoa 32-0 to reach the Women's World Cup final. Stacey Waaka scored a hat-trick in the semifinal victory.
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Kiwi Ferns reach final
New Zealand’s women’s Rugby League World Cup semifinal ended with a 32-0 win over Fetu Samoa as Stacey Waaka scored a hat-trick and the Kiwi Ferns booked a place in next Sunday’s final. Mackenzie Wiki crossed less than two minutes into proceedings after a Samoa error, and the Kiwi Ferns extended their lead as Waaka grounded Raecene McGregor’s kick.
Stacey Waaka then added her second try, and Mele Hufanga and Kaiyah Atai also scored as New Zealand ran away with it late in Newcastle. The BBC described the match as New Zealand defeating Samoa 32-0 to reach next Sunday’s Rugby League World Cup final, while the Guardian said Waaka’s hat-trick helped secure New Zealand their place in the final with a 32-0 victory in Newcastle.
Waaka’s decisive moments
Stacey Waaka told the 7 Network post-match, "A really close first half, but the team who was going to win was the one who played right to the end, then I think we done that," after New Zealand scored three tries in six minutes to Mele Hufanga (58th minute), Kaiyah Atai (60th minute) and Waaka (64th minute). The Guardian said Waaka made the most of her opportunities, setting up New Zealand’s early first try before securing three of her own, and it noted that Waaka drew level with Australia winger Jaime Chapman atop the tournament’s try-scoring tally with nine.
The BBC credited New Zealand’s early tone to Mackenzie Wiki’s try off a Samoa error, and it said Waaka capitalised on indecision from Samoa winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala to collect and ground Raecene McGregor’s kick. The ABC News & Headlines report said the Kiwi Ferns punished Fetu Samoa’s early test and that Waaka’s three tries, along with poor execution from the Samoans, ensured New Zealand would make it to a seventh consecutive decider.
Final opponent and context
New Zealand will face either Australia or Fiji in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup final, with the second semifinal played in Sydney on Sunday, and the BBC said the Jillaroos are likely to provide the substantial obstacle unless debutants Fiji spring one of the greatest upsets in the tournament's history. The Guardian placed the next matchup as the winner of Sunday afternoon’s semi-final between Australia and Fiji, and it said the final is in Brisbane next weekend as New Zealand look to avenge their 54-4 loss to the Jillaroos in the 2021 final.
The BBC also framed the semifinal as New Zealand making light of the blustery and difficult conditions inside Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium, in New South Wales, to make their case as potential winners. The ABC News & Headlines report added that New Zealand will face either Australia or Fiji, and it said the Kiwi Ferns have made the final in all seven women’s World Cups since the inaugural tournament in 2000.