Australia Beat Fiji 36-22 to Reach World Cup Semis — SkimNews
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- Australia edged Fiji 36-22 in Brisbane to reach the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals, after Fiji dominated territory in the first half and led 16-12 at the break before the momentum turned.
- Tom Trbojevic crossed three times for Australia, including a try immediately after Solomone Saukuru's apparent 20-12 lead was ruled out for obstruction, which levelled the score.
- Kevin Walters said there were areas to improve and that Australia must be their harshest critics, with their pack outmuscled and both wins over New Zealand and Fiji described as unconvincing.
- New Zealand beat the Cook Islands 82-16 in Christchurch to bounce back from a 24-22 opening Group A defeat to Australia, after the Cook Islands led 16-12 before New Zealand pulled away to 36-16 by the break.
- Jamayne Isaako scored a record 38 points for New Zealand with three tries and 13 conversions, eclipsing Tasesa Lavea's previous mark of 32 against the same opposition in 2000; Isaako is joining Melbourne Storm next term.
- Kiwi Ferns thrashed France 92-0 with 18 tries — Apii Nicholls scoring four and Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga hat-tricks — and have now beaten France by a combined 236-0 across three World Cup meetings.
- Fiji face France at 02:20 GMT on Saturday, 31 October, in the other remaining group match, with New Zealand's men meeting Fiji at 04:30 GMT and the Kiwi Ferns closing Pool B against Papua New Guinea at 06:45 GMT.
Why it matters: Australia banked a semi-final place despite Kevin Walters' warning that his side was not at its best, with the pack outmuscled and both group wins unconvincing — the gap to close before the last four. New Zealand's men and women arrive at their 31 October group finales with 82-16 and 92-0 wins and semi-final opponents still to be settled.
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