Source: RNZ Pacific
It is the battle of Oceania when the four semifinal matches at the Rugby League World Cup kick off on Saturday in Australia.
For the first time ever in the history of rugby league, the final four in both the men and women’s competition are being contested by all teams from the Oceania region.
The women’s competition will feature Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa, while the men’s will see Tonga up against New Zealand and Samoa take up Australia.
Both Australian teams are the defending champions.
Fiji and Samoa, both creating history by securing their semifinal spots, have named their strongest lineups for this weekend’s Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) women’s semifinals. Both camps know they have nothing to lose.
While Samoa returned to the world cup after 18 years since their last appearance in 2008, the Fiji Bulikula are playing in their first one ever.
In the men’s competition, Tonga is in their second semifinal, having suffered a controversial 20-18 loss to England at the 2017 RLWC clash in Auckland.
Toa Samoa made the 2022 semifinals, pipped England and lost to Australia in the final.
Kiwi Ferns v Fetu Samoa
Kick off: November 7 (7:45pm NZDT)
Mcdonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Fetu Samoa have made just one change to the starting side to face New Zealand, with Fanua Rimoni running in at lock for the Saturday afternoon clash.
Coach Frank Pritchard said the team continues to grow, with a lot of young players, debutants who have impressed him.
He said remaining together and united is their weapon, as the team prepares for a tough semifinal clash.
“We’ve got a young team and for them it’s about enjoying the moment and taking it all in,” he said post-match after the side defeated England last week.
“We spoke about what’s it’s like with the jersey, pride in it as well, you know the root of the jersey as well, identify and culture is a massive thing for us.
“The theme this week is togetherness and us moving forward together. During the tough times is what it’s all about.
“Sometimes you have to go through the mud to get to the other side and that’s what we are all about.”
Veteran player Annetta Nuuausala said they are looking forward to meeting the Kiwi Fens.
“We got a bone to pick with our Kiwi friends after last year’s game that we had and will come into that game firing no doubt,” she said.
Tongan heritage player Mele Hufanga returns at centre for New Zealand.
She was rested last week while five-eighth Chantay Kiria-Ratu is also back on deck.
Other changes made by the Kiwi Ferns include Otesa Pule starting at prop with Shannon Mato on the bench. One other change on the bench sees Annessa Biddle come in for Brooke Anderson who is 18th player.
Fetu Samoa: 1. Destiny Mino-Sinapati, 2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, 3. Monica Tagoai, 4. Tyra Ekepati, 5. Freedom Crichton Ropati, 6. Evania Isa’ako (Captain), 7. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, 8. Annetta Nuuausala, 9. Mary-Jane Taito , 10. Laikha Clarke, 11. Leilani Wilson, 12. Ivana Lolesio, 13. Fanua Rimoti; Interchange: 14. Tavarna Papalii, 15. Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, 16. Jasmine Fogavini, 17. Christian Pio; Reserves: 19. Anastasia Leatupue, 20. Evelyn Roberts, 21. Jetaya Faifua, 22. Amani Misa, 18. Jaydika Tafua.
Kiwi Ferns: 1. Apii Nicholls, 2, Leianne Tufuga, 3. Mele Hufanga, 4. Stacey Waka, 5. Mackenzie Wiki, 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu, 7. Raecene McGregor (Captain), 8. Alexis Tauneai, 9. Georgia Hale, 10. Otesa Pule, 11. Shaniece Monschau, 12. Kaiyah Atai, 13. Angela Teakaraanga Katoa; Interchange: 14. Ashley Quinlan, 15. Annessa Biddie, 16. Shannon Mato, 17. Ivana Lauitiiti; Reserves: 19. Biranna Clark, 20, Zahara Temara, 21. Abigail Roache, 22. Tenika Willison, 18. Brooke Anderson.
Fiji Bulikula vs Australian Jillaroos
Kick off: November 8 (7:45pm NZDT)
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
The Fiji Bulikula have made two starting lineup changes for the clash against Australia in Sydney on Sunday, with Maria Paseka returning on the wing and Lorren Ieli starting at prop.
Head coach Jone Wesele has retained the core of his lineup that recorded two wins from three of their pool matches, with the two changes made to the starting 13.
Paseka returns on the wing after missing two games with a leg injury so Tahlia Marshall slides to the bench.
Forward Ieli is picked to lead the charges upfront, while Leilani Ahsam goes to lock and Talei Holmes pushed up to the back row.
Fullback Cassie Staples told the media last weekend the team know that Australia will not be an easy team to beat, as they are the champions.
But she is confident their style of play will help them compete well in the semifinal clash.
“We’ve got a style of footy that we believe in and the players are sticking to,” she said post-match, after they defeated France last weekend.
“That’s backing our skill and backing our execution to finish those tough plays, and we’ll back that against any opposition.”
Luisa Yaranamua, Losana Lutu and captain Sereana Naitokatoka will be key players for the side, controlling the flow of the game for them, as they had done over their three previous matches.
Australia have also made changes to their match-day squad.
Tongan heritage, Simaima Taufa has returned to start for the Australian Jillaroos.
Jocelyn Kelleher returns at five-eighth while props Millie Elliott and Taufa and hooker Olivia Higgins also return after sitting out the Wales game.
Tiana Penitani Gray is back on deck and joins Shaylee Bent and Olivia Kernick in the back row.
Fiji Bulikula: 1. Cassie Staples, 2. Maria Paseka, 3. Isabella Waterman, 4. Sienna Laing, 5. Taina Naividi, 6. Luisa Yaranamua, 7. Losana Lutu, 8. Latisha Smythe, 9. Sereana Naitokatoka (Captain), 10. Lorren Ieli, 11. Elizabeth Naleba, 12. Talei Holmes, 13. Leilani Ahsam; Interchange: 14. Tahlia Marshall, 15. Teaghan Hartigan, 16. Ema Masi, 17. Aliti Namoce; Reserves: 19. Naomi Tegu, 20. Abigayle Sekitoga, 21. Rory Muller, 22. Ebony Laing, 18. Nanise Vakacavu.
Jillaroos: 1. Tamika Upton, 2. Jaime Chapman, 3. Jessica Sergis, 4. Isabella Kelly (Captain), 5. Abbi Church, 6. Jocelyn Kelleher, 7. Tarryn Aiken, 8. Millie Elliot, 9. Olivia Higgins, 10. Simaima Taufa, 11. Tiana Penitani Gray, 12. Shaylee Bent, 13. Olivia Kernick; Interchange: 14. Keeley Nizza, 15. Keilee Joseph, 16. Kezie Apps, 17. Sariah Paki; Reserves: 19. Ellie Johnston, 20. Jesse Southwell, 21. Quincy Dodd, 22. Makenzie Weale, 18. Sheridan Gallagher.
Tonga XIII v New Zealand Kiwis
Kick off: November 7 (10:05pm NZDT)
Mcdonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Head coach Kristian Woolf has expressed confidence in his 19-man squad that prevailed 20-18 over Samoa in CommBank Stadium thriller last Sunday.
He has kept his Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa and veteran Tui Lolohea in the halves, the duo sticking through the torrid battle against the Samoans last weekend.
Woolf knows the Kiwis will be stronger than ever, and will be wanting to avenge loss at the 2017 World Cup in Hamilton, when a David Fusitu’a hat-trick helped Tonga win 28-22.
He said the side keeps improving game by game and believes they can beat any team when they are on fire.
“This group can do anything,” he told the media at the post-match conference after the Samoa win.
“We left four tries out there and two in the second half.
“We’ve got plenty of improvement left in us and if we keep improving and keep heading down the right track they can do anything.”
Woolf said against the Kiwis, his players must win the small battles first, secure possession and continue to tighten their defensive pattern, something that had stood out for him in the last three matches.
He picked Robert To’ia, Katoa and Lolohea as key players in their game and knows his big players will need to be on-song against the Kiwis.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” he said.
“They have been the most dominant team in the tournament so far.
“It’s good rivalry for us, it’s a game we are really looking forward to.
Co-captain Addin Fonua-Blake said they have thrived with the support of their fans and said they will continue to play for them.
“I would like to thank all the supporters,” he said.
“You can feel it. The amount of support we’ve had and its only going to keep growing.
“What the supporters have done for this game is unheard off. A few years ago we could not even get a sell out but now we are sitting here with a capacity crowd.”
He is calling on all Tonga fans to turn up and back them again this weekend, as they look at re-writing their own history in the game.
New Zealand have also made changes to their lineup.
Knights stars Kalyn Ponga is named on the bench, after a broken arm suffered against Australia in their opening pool game.
Also joining him is Phoenix Crossland, who has met his suspension period.
Ponga broke his arm in the opening game against Australia but is on track to make a miraculous return while Crossland has served a four-game suspension arising from the NRL preliminary final.
Crossland replaced the injured Jacob Laban.
Out of the match is winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, who has a one-match suspension for a dangerous high tackle against Fiji.
Tonga XIII: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Robert Toia 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Salesi Foketi 10. Jason Taumalolo (c), 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Siua Wong 13. Tyson Frizell; Interchange: 14. Soni Luke 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Leka Halasima 19. Latu Fainu; Reserves: 20. Paul Alamoti 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 22. Sione Katoa.
Kiwis: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Cassey McLean, 5. Charnse Nicoll-Kickstad, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’I, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine; Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison, 18. Scott Sorenson, 19. Leo Thompson; Reserves: Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21. Kalyn Ponga, 22. Phoenix Crossland.
Toa Samoa v Australian Kangaroos
Kick off: November 8 (10:05pm NZDT)
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Ben Gardiner said they are focused on the semifinal and will put their best foot forward.
He said the semifinal opponents were decided in the game against Tonga and they are excited about playing in the semifinals.
“We only worry about things we can take control of,” he said.
“From our point of view it was whoever it was going to be and we will go after that opportunity.
“We are very excited to be playing again.”
Gardiner said their focus is on what’s ahead, having lost to Australia at the 2022 final.
“All we have talked about is this tournament and this tournament is what we are worried about,” he said.
“What happened in the past is in the past and what happens in the future is in our control.
“Our preparation have been better.”
Gardiner said Australia have been consistent and will be tough to beat.
The loss of Chanel Harris-Tavita to a hamstring injury brings Ronald Volkman in at five-eighth.
Volkman scored a try and played well when he took the field.
Ioelu is named to start at hooker with Jazz Tevaga on the bench but they may swap again on game day as they did last Sunday. Deine Mariner returns on the interchange after suffering a hamstring injury in Round 1 against France.
Australian mentor Kevin Walters has retained his first lineup, while Latrell Mitchell has been added to the bench after missing the past two games.
Reece Walsh gets to run at fullback ahead of James Tedesco.
Toa Samoa: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Brian To’o, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Sualauvi Faalogo, 6. Roland Volkman, 7. Jarome Luai (Captain) 8. Francis Molo 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Junior Paulo (Co-Captain) 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Francis Manuleleua; Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Shawn Blore 17. Ata Mariota 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Deine Mariner; Reserves: 20. Pasami Saulo, 21. Enari Tuala, 22. Eddie Ieremia-Toeva.
Kangaroos: 1 Reece Walsh, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Jacob Preston, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo (Captain); Interchange: 14. Ethan Strange, 15. Keaon Koloamatangi, 16. Cameron Murray., 17. Reuben Cotter, 18. Latrell Mitchell, 19. James Tedesco; Reserves: 20. Linday Smith, 21. Sam Walker, 22. Blayke Brailey.