World champions Australia take on Samoa in a semi-final rematch of the 2021 World Cup final at Sydney's Allianz Stadium, while the Australian women's side, the Jillaroos, have already advanced to the final with a 30-14 victory over Fiji.
Kick-off for the men's semi-final is at 8.05pm AEDT. The Kangaroos narrowly edged New Zealand in the tournament opener and remained unbeaten in pool play, while the Samoans dropped a heartbreaker to rivals Tonga in their final preliminary outing.
In a late change for the Kangaroos, Kevin Walters promoted Keaon Koloamatangi to the starting side, replacing Pat Carrigan. Samoan coach Ben Gardiner named Jazz Tevaga at hooker over Benaiah Ioelu. Walters earlier in the week kept faith in the Queensland spine, naming Reece Walsh at fullback over James Tedesco.
The Jillaroos, who have swept all before them scoring 242 points in three pool games and conceding just six, overcame a spirited display from Fiji to win 30-14. Winger Abbi Church scored four tries. They will face New Zealand, who beat Samoa 32-0 yesterday.
The winners of the Australia-Samoa match will face the winners of the other semi-final between New Zealand and Tonga in the final.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Rugby League World Cup semifinals determine who will contest the title; both Australian teams are defending champions.
- An Australia-Samoa rematch of the 2021 World Cup final adds to the rivalry and stakes.
- The Jillaroos' dominant form continues as they aim to retain the women's title.
Background
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is being held in Australia. Australia (Kangaroos) and Samoa met in the 2021 World Cup final, which Australia won. The women's Jillaroos are the defending champions. All four semifinals feature teams from Oceania.
Key Perspectives
Australia coach Kevin Walters: Kept faith in the Queensland spine, naming Reece Walsh at fullback over James Tedesco.
Samoan coach Ben Gardiner: Named Jazz Tevaga at hooker over Benaiah Ioelu.
What to Watch
- Whether the Kangaroos' new-look spine (Walsh, Munster, Dearden, Grant) clicks in a high-pressure semifinal.
- The weather: rain was falling at Allianz Stadium during the anthems, which could affect handling.
- The winner of this match will face the winner of New Zealand v Tonga in the final.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedAustralia and Samoa meet in a semi-final rematch of the 2021 World Cup final at Allianz Stadium.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “World champions Australia will face Samoa in a rematch of the 2021 World Cup finalists at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.”
- SupportedAustralia are world champions.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “World champions Australia will face Samoa”
- SupportedThe Jillaroos reached the final by beating Fiji 30-14.WA Today - Latest News: “the Jillaroos booked themselves a date with New Zealand in next weekend’s women’s World Cup. Thanks to four tries from winger Abbi Church, Australia overcame a spirited display against Fiji to run out 30-14.”
- SupportedThe men's semi-final kicks off at 8.05pm AEDT.WA Today - Latest News: “Kick-off is 8.05pm AEDT.”
- SupportedThe Kangaroos narrowly edged New Zealand in the tournament opener.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “The Kangaroos narrowly edged New Zealand in the tournament opener”
- SupportedThe Kangaroos remained unbeaten in pool play.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “remained unbeaten in pool play”
- SupportedSamoa lost to Tonga in its final preliminary outing.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “the Samoans dropped a heartbreaker to rivals Tonga in their final preliminary outing.”
- SupportedKevin Walters promoted Keaon Koloamatangi to the starting side, replacing Pat Carrigan.WA Today - Latest News: “In a late change for the Kangaroos, Kevin Walters has promoted Keaon Koloamatangi to the starting side, replacing Pat Carrigan.”
- SupportedWalters named Reece Walsh at fullback over James Tedesco.WA Today - Latest News: “Earlier in the week, Walters kept faith in the Queensland spine, naming Reece Walsh at fullback over James Tedesco”
- SupportedThe Jillaroos scored 242 points and conceded six in their three pool games.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “The Jillaroos have swept all before them, scoring 242 points in their three pool games and conceding just six.”
- SupportedAbbi Church scored four tries against Fiji.WA Today - Latest News: “Thanks to four tries from winger Abbi Church”
- SupportedThe Jillaroos will face New Zealand in the final.WA Today - Latest News: “the Jillaroos booked themselves a date with New Zealand in next weekend’s women’s World Cup.”