New Zealand Kiwi Ferns Women’s Rugby League World Cup final, Digi Mart USA News (Newcastle): Centre Stacey Waaka scored a hat-trick as the Kiwi Ferns beat an inexperienced Fetu Samoa 32-0 in Newcastle to secure their place in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup final.
The Kiwi Ferns were rarely troubled in the match and pulled away late, scoring four tries in the final 12 minutes on Saturday afternoon. Waaka, a dual international, made the most of her opportunities by setting up New Zealand’s early first try before scoring three of her own.
With her hat-trick, she drew level with Australia winger Jaime Chapman at the top of the tournament try-scoring standings with nine.
New Zealand will now face the winner of Sunday afternoon’s semi-final between Australia and Fiji in Brisbane next weekend. The Kiwi Ferns are looking to avenge their 54-4 loss to the Jillaroos in the 2021 final.
The Kiwi Ferns drew first blood within two minutes, capitalizing on a Samoa error to send winger Mackenzie Wiki over out wide. Although the first half was marred by errors, Samoa had the better of the chances but failed to register points in good territory.
After repelling a five-minute assault on their try line, New Zealand caught Samoa off guard when Waaka scored her first four-pointer. Her persistence paid off, as a lack of urgency from winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala while attempting to secure a Raecene McGregor kick allowed Waaka to capitalize.
New Zealand extended their lead to 14 points five minutes into the second half when another McGregor kick landed perfectly for Waaka’s second try of the game. Waaka’s third try came amid a late flurry of New Zealand points, with McGregor, centre Mele Hufanga and back-rower Kaiyah Atai also scoring in the final 12 minutes.
