Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 10:14pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 10:14pm
Casey McLean joins ABC Sport
Casey McLean has spoken to ABC Sport following New Zealand’s 34-10 win over Tonga in the Rugby League World Cup semifinal.
The centre scored a try, and will now head to Brisbane for the final.
The semi against Tonga was tense before the kick-off, with a stare-down between both sets of players following the Sipi Tau and Haka.
Speaking with ABC Sport, McLean said it was a special moment to be part of.
We have such mana boys in our team that are leaders.
We’ve just got to follow them, especially myself.
I can learn so much off them, not just about being a player, but [also] my culture. They’re front runners for Māori boys and Kiwi boys.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:39pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:39pm
69′ Tonga camped on their own goal-line
Tonga are 14 points down with 11 minutes to play.
They have had to defend several sets on their own line, just to keep themselves in the contest.
They are going to need something special to get back into the semifinal.
New Zealand 24
Tonga 10
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:30pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:30pm
59′ Tonga cannot kick long as wind remains intense
This strong wind you keep reading about is having a massive impact on this match.
Essentially, the wind is directly behind the Kiwis, and Tonga is struggling.
Halfback Isaiya Katoa tried kicking long down the field for territory, but the ball was held up by the wind, and barely went 20 metres.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:20pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:20pm
51′ New Zealand go close as wind wreaks havoc
A high kick from New Zealand gets caught in the wind, and blows away from everyone and towards to Tongan goal-line.
The ball bounced into the in-goal, but the Kiwis were unable to ground the footy.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:14pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:14pm
46′ Lehi Hopoate saves the day for Tonga
New Zealand runs the ball on the final play, and the short-side raid leads to Dane Gagai running for the goal-line.
Only Tongan fullback Lehi Hopoate can stop him, and the Tongan number 1 nails the ball-and-all tackle.
New Zealand 12
Tonga 10
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:11pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:11pm
44′ New Zealand miss a huge chance
Jahrome Hughes slices through the Tonga defence.
He runs clear and then passes for Briton Nikora, who will score if he catches the ball cleanly.
But a Tongan hand knocks the footy off course, and Nikora drops the ball.
New Zealand 12
Tonga 10
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:09pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:09pm
42′ Kiwis defend their goal-line
The Kiwis needed to defend stoutly to start the second half, and they did.
Tonga threw plenty at the Kiwis, but could not score a try to take the lead.
New Zealand 12
Tonga 10
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:03pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 9:03pm
A massive second half is just minutes away
C’mon Tonga! – step up a gear in the 2nd half…
– Mike
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:40pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:40pm
32′ Kalyn Ponga makes a stunning try-saving tackle
Kalyn Ponga is playing without fear.
Big Tongan Demitric Vaimauga was charging to the line, but Ponga was able to come across and made an amazing one-on-one tackle.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:33pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:33pm
24′ Tonga lose their captain’s challenge
A bad challenge from Tonga.
They are penalised after Salesi Foketi illegally stripped the ball.
Tonga claimed the other defender in that tackle, Haumole Olakau’atu, was not actually holding onto the ball carrier.
That might be technically true, but he is underneath him in a tackle motion, and the bunker ruled the challenge unsuccessful.
New Zealand 6
Tonga 6
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:27pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:27pm
20′ Salesi Foketi nails Kalyn Ponga
WHACK.
Kalyn Ponga is returning a kick, and gets absolutely walloped by Tongan hooker Salesi Foketi.
That has set the tone.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:26pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:26pm
19′ Kiwis miss a huge chance
Brilliant from the Kiwis.
Centre Casey McLean made a big break up the middle, getting the Kiwis into an attacking position.
The Tongans had to scramble for a full set.
On the final play, the Kiwis looked to have an overlap, but Joseph Tapine was unable to quickly catch and pass, dropping the footy.
New Zealand 6
Tonga 0
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:23pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:23pm
16′ Kiwis defend the goal-line well
Tonga tried to force their way over the goal-line, but the Kiwi defence was strong.
The Tongans got a fresh set of six after an infringement by the Kiwis (I think they were offside).
But the Kiwis were able to hold, with a last-play kick to the corner dropped by the Tongans.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:21pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:21pm
14′ Tonga get a big chance
Tonga has a big chance.
They were awarded a penalty just 10 metres out after Kiwi winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad obstructed the Tonga kick-chase.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:19pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:19pm
James Fisher-Harris (NZ) on report for raised knee while running with the ball
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:19pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 8:19pm
12′ Both teams settle into the contest
New Zealand and Tonga have both settled into this match.
Kalyn Ponga, 23 days after breaking his arm, looks threatening every time he has the ball.
The Kiwis are winning the territory battle, but the Tongans have had an attacking grubber to the in-goal, which was defused by the Kiwis.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 7:54pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 7:54pm
New Zealand and Tonga walk onto Hunter Stadium
There is a massive crowd at Hunter Stadium, and there is plenty of red in the crowd.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 7:29pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 7:29pm
Player of the match Stacey Waaka speaks after New Zealand’s semfinal win
A tremendous outing for Stacey Waaka.
She scored three tries in the semifinal, and now has a chance to add the Rugby League World Cup to her list of accomplishments.
Waaka has already won two Olympic gold medals in rugby 7s and two women’s Rugby Union World Cups for New Zealand.
“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,” Waaka told the 7 Network post-match
“I love playing games with these young guns. It’s fun learning off them too, because they’ve been in the game a little bit longer, but I’m just enjoying the whole experience.
“I can’t wait for this next week and bring on whoever is in the final with us.”
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 7:11pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 7:11pm
67′ TRY: Raecene McGregor (7) scores for New Zealand
The scoreline is starting to get out of hand.
The Kiwi Ferns again roll down the field, picking apart a very tired Fetu Samoa defence.
Captain Raecene McGregor has scored under the posts.
New Zealand 32
Fetu Samoa 0
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:54pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:54pm
52′ Alexis Tauaneai drops the ball with the line begging
The match could have been sealed for the Kiwi Ferns.
Ashleigh Quinlan made the linebreak near the goal-line, and as she was being tackled, passed inside to Alexis Tauaneai.
But Tauaneai could not hold onto the footy, and a certain try goes begging.
New Zealand 14
Fetu Samoa 0
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:53pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:53pm
50′ Fetu Samoa throws fourth forward pass as rain falls
Fetu Samoa has been its own worst enemy.
With the ball at halfway line, halfback Pauline Piliae-Rasabale tried to throw a cut-out pass to an open winger, but it went forward.
That is Fetu Samoa’s fourth forward pass in this match.
New Zealand 14
Fetu Samoa 0
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:36pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:36pm
Second half begins between New Zealand and Fetu Samoa
New Zealand, holding an eight-point lead, has the first use of the ball in the second half.
The Kiwi Ferns have an incident-free set, and kick clear.
The wind is still strong and will play a roll in this match.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:35pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:35pm
History on the side of the Kiwi Ferns
This is the seventh Women’s Rugby League World Cup.
New Zealand have made it into the final in EVERY tournament.
They won the first three (2000, 2003, 2008), and have lost the final to Australia in the other three (2013, 2017, 2021).
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:19pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:19pm
34′ Kiwi Ferns throw away a great chance
The Kiwi Ferns had a scrum near halfway and could have had a full set to try and get a third try.
But a forward pass on the opening play of the set ended any hopes of a double-digit lead at the break.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:15pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:15pm
Rain is heading for Newcastle
Bit of weather comming down?
– Mike
(BOM)
The clouds are getting bigger, and look dark.
The wind has also picked up, which will making catching the high ball very tricky.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:03pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:03pm
19′ Kiwi Ferns hold on the goal line
Terrific defence from New Zealand.
They had to defend four sets on their goal line, and they did it brilliantly.
A big worry for Fetu Samoa as they never really looked like scoring.
New Zealand 4
Fetu Samoa 0
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:02pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 6:02pm
18′ Fetu Samoa attack, and attack
Fetu Samoa got themselves to the goal line, then shifted left.
The Samoans won a penalty after a player was taken without the footy by New Zealand captain Raecene McGregor.
With another set at the goal line, Fetu Samoa continued to threaten, but the Kiwi Ferns defence was firm.
Fetu Samoa got a third chance when a pass was knocked down by the Kiwi Ferns, and then a fourth set when New Zealand were called offside.
New Zealand 4
Fetu Samoa 0
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:59pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:59pm
15′ Fetu Samoa with a great chance
Fetu Samoa has their best chance of the match, thus far.
Hooker Mary-Jane Taito nailed New Zealand winger Leianne Tufuga and forced the ball loose, giving Fetu Samoa a scrum just 20 metres out.
New Zealand 4
Fetu Samoa 0
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:56pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:56pm
10′ Kiwi Ferns threaten to score
Fetu Samoa needed to scramble to prevent a second try.
Mackenzie Wiki made a run for the right corner and was forced to throw the ball inside.
The ball hung in the air, and if Stacey Waaka could have caught the footy, it would have been a try.
But Waaka was hit as she tried to catch the footy over her head, and Fetus Samoa survived.
New Zealand 4
Fetu Samoa 0
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:51pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:51pm
5′ Samoa force an error, but give the ball straight back
After giving up the first try, Fetu Samoa worked their way back into the contest with strong defence.
The Samoan’s forced an error in New Zealand territory and earned a scrum.
But off the scrum, the Samoans dropped the footy and threw away a great chance to get into an attacking position.
New Zealand 4
Fetu Samoa 0
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:44pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:44pm
1′ Forward pass for Samoa in its first set
Shocking start for Fetus Samoa.
Dummy half Mary-Jane Taito throws a forward pass early in the set.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:30pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:30pm
What time is kick-off between the New Zealand and Samoa
Here is when the women’s Rugby League World Cup semifinal between New Zealand and Samoa will begin in each Australian state and territory, and each country in the tournament.
5:45pm AEDT: NSW, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania5:15pm ACDT: South Australia4:45pm AEST: Queensland, PNG4:15pm ACST: Northern Territory2:45pm AWST: Western Australia6:45pm FJT: Fiji7:45pm NZDT: New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa8:45pm CKT: Cook Islands2:44am GMT: United Kingdom3:45am CET: France4:45am EET: Lebanon
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:16pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:16pm
VALE — Paul Langmack
The rugby league world lost one of it’s great people this week.
Paul Langmack, a man who won three premierships with Canterbury in the 1980s, and dedicated so much time in later years to running mental health programs, died this week aged 61.
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:00pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 5:00pm
Team list: Fetu Samoa
Samoa had to make a change after in-form winger Freedom Crichton Ropati suffered an ankle injury last week against England. Anastasia Leatupue (19) comes on to the wing, while Fanua Rimoni starts at lock and Tavarna Papalii moves to the bench.
Despite the underdog status (and a win today would be MASSIVE), Fetu Samoa boasts plenty of talent who have played at the highest level.
Ivana Lolesio knows all about State of Origin with Queensland, Annetta Nuuausala has been in a Test arena for nearly a decade (starting with New Zealand), while players like Destiny Mino-Sinapati (Titans) and Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Knights) were big reasons their clubs played NRLW finals this season.
Backs
1 Destiny Mino-Sinapati x2 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala x3 Monica Tagoai x4 Tyra Ekepati19 Anastasia Leatupue6 Evania Isa’ako x7 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
Forwards
8 Annetta Nuuausala cc9 Mary-Jane Taito10 Laikha Clarke11 Leilani Wilson 12 Ivana Lolesio 13 Fanua Rimoni
Interchange
14 Tavarna Papalii15 Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa16 Jasmine Fogavini17 Christian Pio
Reserve
Sat 7 Nov 2026 at 4:50pmSat 7 Nov 2026 at 4:50pm
What are the Rugby League semifinals this weekend
Saturday, November 7 at Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium
Women’s: New Zealand Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa from 5:45pm AEDTMen’s: New Zealand Kiwis vs Mate Ma’a Tonga from 8:05pm AEDT
Sunday, November 8 at the Sydney Football Stadium
Women’s: Australia Jillaroos vs Fiji Bulikula from 5:45pm AEDTMen’s: Australia Kangaroos vs Toa Samoa from 8:05pm AEDT