Stacey Waaka hat‑trick propels New Zealand to Women’s Rugby League World Cup final

New Zealand’s women’s rugby league team, the Kiwi Ferns, booked a place in the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup final after a 32‑0 victory over Fetu Samoa in a semi‑final at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium. The match, played on Saturday afternoon, saw centre Stacey Waaka cross the line three times, accounting for nearly half of the Kiwi Ferns’ seven tries.

The opening try came within two minutes when Mackenzie Wiki capitalised on a Samoan error, setting the tone for a dominant New Zealand performance. Waaka added a second‑half hat‑trick, bringing her tournament tally to nine tries, equal with Australia’s Jaime Chapman for the competition’s top scorer. New Zealand will meet the winner of the Australia‑Fiji semi‑final in Brisbane the following weekend, aiming to overturn their 54‑4 loss to the Jillaroos in the 2021 final.

Background

The Kiwi Ferns have appeared in every Women’s Rugby League World Cup final since the tournament began in 2000, winning the first three editions (2000, 2003, 2008). Their recent history includes three consecutive final defeats to Australia, most recently a 54‑4 loss at Old Trafford in 2022. This semi‑final marked New Zealand’s seventh straight final appearance. Stacey Waaka, a dual‑code international, has previously represented New Zealand in rugby sevens, rugby union and rugby league, winning two Olympic gold medals in sevens and two women’s Rugby Union World Cups. Prior to the semi‑final, the Kiwi Ferns had conceded only 24 points across three group matches and displayed strong defensive discipline.

Samoa’s side, fielding several debutants, struggled with handling errors and failed to exploit attacking opportunities, despite notable performances from lock forward Fanua Rimoni and teenage winger Anastasia Leatupue. Early in the match, a forward pass from Samoan hooker Mary‑Jane Taito contributed to New Zealand’s quick opening score.

Why it matters

The result secures New Zealand’s chance to contest a fourth World Cup title, a milestone the team has not achieved despite seven final appearances. A victory would make them the most successful nation in the competition’s history. The win also highlights Waaka’s impact as a cross‑code star, reinforcing her status alongside the tournament’s leading try‑scorers. For Samoa, the heavy defeat underscores the gap between emerging nations and the established powerhouses, despite promising individual displays.

The upcoming final will pit New Zealand against either Australia or Fiji, with the latter having produced a surprise run to the semi‑final. The outcome will determine whether New Zealand can finally break Australia’s recent dominance in the women's game.

What happens next

The second semi‑final will be played on Sunday in Sydney, featuring Australia against Fiji. The winner of that match will travel to Brisbane for the final, scheduled for the weekend following the semi‑finals. New Zealand’s coaching staff and players, including Waaka, have expressed confidence ahead of the final, emphasizing their preparation and enjoyment of the tournament experience.