This Warriors Life recaps the semifinals of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, including the performances of our Warriors reps, with the support of ComfortGlaze.
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Kiwis dominate second half to thwart Tonga
New Zealand booked the first spot in the World Cup final courtesy of a 34-10 win over Tonga, scoring four unanswered tries to none in the second half. A pulsating first half saw the returning Kalyn Ponga feature prominently in tries to Briton Nikora and Dane Gagai either side of a Jojo Fifita double for Tonga. Ponga, brilliant on both sides of the ball, featured promiently in the second half as the Kiwis pulled away in horrendous conditions in Newcastle.
Warrior watch: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was outstanding as a wing fill-in for the Kiwis, making a game-high 216 metres on 23 runs and a line-break, and dotting down for a late try. James Fisher-Harris’ strong captain’s knock consisted of 18 runs for 152 metres and 33 tackles. Erin Clark starred off the bench with 18 runs for 143 metres and 24 tackles, plus a superb kick to set up CNK’s try in the dying stages. Jahrome Huhges, James Fisher-Harris, Erin Clark, Casey McLean and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad were among the other standouts for the victors.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had a fairly quiet night opposite clubmate CNK, finishing with 14 runs for 111 metres and no discernible highlights. Demitric Vaimauga’s 28 minutes off the bench featured a stunning line-break that only Kalyn Ponga’s brave tackle stopped from turning into a try; he racked up six runs for 70 metres and 14 tackles. Leka Halasima got 26 minutes from the pine but was restricted to five runs for 46 metres and seven tackles.
Kangaroos click in dominant defeat of Samoa
Australia took a big step forward from an underwhelming group-stage campaign to charge into the World Cup final, hammering a disappointing Toa Samoa 44-12 at Allianz Stadium. The Kangaroos struck early through Tom Dearden and never looked back. At halftime the hosts led 26-2 with Samoa’s serial timebomb Spencer Leniu in the sin bin. Adlib tries to Stephen Crichton and Izack Tago kept Samoa’s flame faintly flickering, but Reece Walsh scored a few minutes after each to complete a hat-trick and slammed the door shut with nine minutes to go as Jack Bostock crossed.
Warrior watch: N/A
Women’s RLWC: Kiwi Ferns and Jillaroos set up another decider as Fiji impress
The Kiwi Ferns put a patchy pool campaign behind them to keep their perfect record of qualifying for every World Cup final alive, thrashing an in-form Fetu Samoa side 32-0. New Zealand led 8-0 at halftime before their physical dominance took hold, adding another five tries. Stacey Waaka’s stellar tournament continued with three tries, while the Kiwi Ferns finished with nine line-breaks to none.
Installed as 60-point underdogs by the bookies, Fiji finished off a wonderful debut World Cup foray with a gutsy 30-14 loss to women’s rugby league juggernaut Australia. The Jillaroos were held to 8-all at halftime and only clinched their spot in the final in the last five minutes, when winger Abbi Church crossed for her fourth try.
Warrior watch: New Zealand’s veteran fullback Apii Nicholls made 14 runs for 122 metres, centre Mele Hufanga’s 117-metre contribution included a try and Stacey Waaka grabbed a hat-trick — taking her World Cup tally to nine — to go with a try assist and 12 runs for 130 metres. Outstanding second-rower Kaiyah Atai scored a try for the third straight game and racked up nine runs for 94 metres and 27 tackles. Prop Ivana Lauitiiti came off the bench with eight runs for 68 metres and 10 tackles.
Veteran front-rower Annetta Nuuausala played only the first 19 minutes for Samoa, making five runs for 38 metres. Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa came off the bench with four runs for 42 metres.