Welcome to Tahāroa: Rugby league capital of the world
'Everyone here is whānau'
Most of the people who live in Tahāroa (or Tahaaroa in the local dialect) are directly related to Te Maire or Taine, who themselves are whānau (family). If you somehow don't share a bloodline, you know them and their families well enough that it feels like it anyway. It's no surprise then that the pair's first game together, which was Taine's NRL debut and Te Maire's third game as a Warrior, was the talk of the town, and it quickly becomes clear how immensely proud they are of their boys. "A place this small having two NRL players in the same team? It doesn’t happen," Brendon King, the owner of the pub in neighbouring Kawhia tells NRL.com. The Tuaupiki grandparents, Morris and Maureen, had a busy week fielding congratulatory calls after news broke of the impending debut for their mokopuna (grandchild). At first it was a particularly strange experience for Morris, an old school no-nonsense type who made his living as a shearer and fitter-welder prior to retiring. "We've been trying not to go out," he tells NRL.com with a smile. "They were all ringing us up, but you have got to be humble. But yeah, I was really rapt, I don’t say much, but I was really rapt." Even when both players moved to Australia in pursuit of their NRL dream years ago, the Tahāroa connection was vitally important, with Te Maire making a home away from home in Sydney with a shared uncle and aunty on the Tuaupiki side. "His aunty and uncle, which is my aunty and uncle as well, they took me in when I was at the Tigers in the U-20s and I sort of needed that family support," Te Maire says. "I owe his family a lot. It's good to see him get a game, he's worked so hard for it. "It's a lot more special when you get to play for your home side or for your country, and that's what it feels like for the Warriors." Te Maire and Taine aren't the only top sporting talents to come from Tahāroa, with New Zealand women's rugby union representative Tenika Willison and former Māori All Black Jackson Willison also hailing from the village.A place made for rugby league
Sitting on the extreme limb of New Zealand's West Coast, Tahāroa boasts the largest deposits of ironsand (titanomagnetite) in New Zealand, which is used in the production of steel. The town is built on the mining business and prior to ironsand exploration starting in 1968 the town didn't even have road access. It employs most of the area's working people and almost all of the local league team - which is named the Steelers in a nod to the industry. In Tahāroa, rugby league is the game and has been since 2012 when the club was formed, with no other senior sport in the town. This year, the Steelers will field two men's sides and a women's side, which is brimming with numbers to the point it could almost be split into two teams. Not all of the players reside in Tahāroa or anywhere near the town for that matter, with many travelling up to an hour from neighbouring districts in order to represent the Steelers. "It adds a bit more meaning playing here, playing for home," Steelers prop Jack Maikuku says. The geographical makeup of the squad, and the fact that they almost all work at the mine, makes organising the season a nightmare. Players have to race each other to secure time off from work, with some inevitably missing out, and trainings are often not well attended, but still they make it work.When a favourite son returned
After Te Maire Martin was cleared to play again, following the discovery of a brain bleed which forced him to step away from his NRL career in 2020, he could have gone to any rugby league club he wanted. But he chose to stay in Tahāroa and play with his people, a decision which sums up how important this town and club are to the local people. The return of a recent Kiwi international and NRL player to the club scene was obviously big news, and Martin carried a huge target with him each time he took the field, with plenty keen to get one over him. They couldn't and didn't. Martin was the best player in the local Waikato competition with ball in hand, and in defence he made a habit of humbling those who tried to steamroll him. "It just brought out the best in him. He knew it was coming, his teammates knew it was coming, and he thrived because of it," Steelers co-coach Cliff Willison says. "He made us all better and elevated us when he was back here. From the players to the coaches." Maikuku, who played alongside Te Maire at the Steelers, says his one regret from that season was not being able to fully enjoy it. "When I had the chance to play with him, I was actually too busy trying to catch my breath", while adding that their star playmaker refused to divert from the high standards which got him to the NRL in the first place. "He wasn’t shy to let us know when we got stuff wrong. It was good to pick his brain and learn about how it all works at NRL level. "I looked at him playing for Brisbane when he went back to the NRL and thought ‘he was yelling at me a couple of months ago!’. "It was mean to see him go back to the NRL from us, that’s a fairytale story that." This Sunday, at the Warriors' first game in Auckland for the year, Tahāroa will be well represented in the crowd with a large section of both Te Maire and Taine's whānau, and with that most of the town, heading up to cheer on their boys.All the NEWS. All the VIEWS.
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Mulitalo returns for World Cup final
Left winger Ronaldo Mulitalo returns in the only change to the New Zealand Kiwis’ starting lineup for Sunday’s Rugby League World Cup final against the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (6.35pm local time, 9.35pm NZT).
The 26-year-old missed the Kiwis’ 34-10 semifinal win over Tonga last Saturday after accepting a one-match ban for a high tackle charge following the 78-0 victory over the Fiji Bati in Robina.
Boasting 10 tries in 12 Tests for the Kiwis, Mulitalo replaces Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad who filled in impressively against the Tongans scoring a try and making a game-high 216 metres.
He moves to the six-man bench which again includes utility Te Maire Martin, middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison plus fullback Keano Kini.
Loose forward Joseph Tapine, who debuted as Kiwi #800 in 2016, will make his 30th Test appearance in a familiar pack again including second rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora and props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.
Winger Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of claiming the New Zealand record for most Test points. His five goals against Tonga lifted his career points tally to 225 level with Shaun Johnson.
The Christchurch-born sharpshooter reached the target in just 18 Tests while Johnson played 35 internationals.
Isaako’s total has rocketed up during the World Cup with hauls of 10 points against Australia, a New Zealand record 38 against the Cook Islands, 26 against Fiji and 10 against Tonga for a tally of 84 points with a goalkicking success rate of just on 95 per cent. He has also twice kicked a New Zealand Test record 13 goals against the Cooks and Fiji topping the previous best of 12 set by Tasesa Lavea in 2000.
Centre Casey McLean (20) goes into the final with 16 tries in just eight Tests including eight in four games in the tournament so far.
In a competition which started in 1954, the Kiwis will be making their fifth appearance in the final; all five have been against the Kangaroos. Following losses at Eden Park in 1988 and Old Trafford in 2000, they stunned Australia 34-20 at Suncorp Stadium in 2008 and lost the 2013 decider at Old Trafford.
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS v AUSTRALIA
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
6.35pm, Sunday, November 15, 2026
1 Kalyn Ponga
2 Jamayne Isaako
3 Dane Gagai
4 Casey McLean
5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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 (v/c)
14 Te Maire Martin
15 Naufahu Whyte
16 Erin Clark
17 Xavier Willison
18 Keano Kini
19 Phoenix Crossland
20 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
21 Scott Sorensen
22 Leo Thompson
Kiwi Ferns squad named to hunt fourth World Cup title
An unchanged Kiwi Ferns squad will assemble on Sunday to battle the Jillaroos as both sides hunt their fourth Rugby League World Cup title.
The Kiwi Ferns have a longstanding legacy of success, being the only team to have appeared in every Rugby League World Cup Final. This weekend will mark the fifth consecutive final against trans-Tasman rivals Australia, who have held the top spot in recent years.
“Our Kiwi Ferns have been so dominant in years gone by, and we want to bring dominance back to this jersey, so I think it will be a case of who wants it more,” said Co-Captain Georgia Hale of the impending clash.
The last time the Kiwi Ferns lifted the trophy was interestingly also at Suncorp Stadium, in a thrilling 34-0 win over Australia in 2008, which marked their third World Cup title on the trot.
Kiwi Ferns Head Coach Ricky Henry believes his group has what it takes to win.
“We have been building well throughout the tournament; we understand the Jillaroos side, and will give it our all to make New Zealand proud this weekend,” said Henry.
The Kiwi Ferns will kick off at Suncorp Stadium at 3.10pm AEST / 6.10pm NZDT this Sunday ahead of the Kiwis v Australia Men’s Final.
Kiwi Ferns Squad To Face Australia
- Apii Nicholls
- Leianne Tufuga
- Mele Hufanga
- Stacey Waaka
- Mackenzie Wiki
- Chantay Kiria-Ratu
- Raecene McGregor
- Alexis Tauaneai
- Georgia Hale
- Otesa Pule
- Shaniece Monschau
- Kaiyah Atai
- Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Interchange:
- Ashleigh Quinlan
- Annessa Biddle
- Shannon Mato
- Ivana Lauitiiti
Reserves:
- Brooke Anderson
- Zahara Temara
- Brianna Clark
- Abigail Roache
- Tenika Willison
Hughes, Ponga steer Kiwis into first World Cup final since 2013
New Zealand has marched into the World Cup final on the back of a clinical second-half performance to beat Tonga 34-10 in difficult conditions in Newcastle on Saturday night.
The Kiwis fought back from a 10-6 deficit late in the first half and put it together when it mattered, while riding the advantage of wind gusts upwards of 60km/h.
Kalyn Ponga showed no hesitation in his return from a broken arm and it paid immediate dividends, the fullback attacking both sides of the ruck in New Zealand’s first set before setting up Briton Nikora for the opening try on a short side play.
The two teams settled into an arm wrestle and it was the Kiwis winning the middle of the ruck, but Isaiya Katoa’s kicking game with the breeze behind him kept Tonga in the fight.
Tonga eventually earned a chance to camp on the New Zealand line but they struggled to find a way through from close quarters and lacked polish on last play.
Fittingly, it was a stunning long-range try that eventually got Tonga their first points.
After a last-tackle bomb from Jahrome Hughes was allowed to bounce, Jojo Fifita took the ball and swerved through a broken defensive line before finding Tui Lolohea alongside him.
The ball moved out to speedster Tolu Koula, who powered past the cover defence, allowing him to draw and pass to Fifita to finish the movement under the sticks.
Demitric Vaimauga had visions of adding to the lead soon after when he picked up a loose ball, floated across field and showed it inside and outside before slicing through, only for Ponga to stop him metres short of the line with a superb one-on-one tackle.
It didn’t hold Tonga off for long as they received a scrum after the following play, then shifted to their left off the back of it to put Fifita in for his second to give his side a 10-6 lead after 32 minutes.
But it was New Zealand going to half-time with a 12-10 lead after a late try to Dane Gagai when Lehi Hopoate failed to clean up a Hughes grubber under pressure from chaser Ponga.
The second half started at a frantic pace to match the gale that had whipped up behind the Kiwis, with Tonga making multiple breaks through the middle and New Zealand returning in an end-to-end opening.
The blustery conditions were causing all sorts of problems for Tonga, completely nullifying Katoa on last tackle and causing several kicks to fly over Tonga fullback Hopoate’s head, gifting the Kiwis ideal field position.
Casey McLean ultimately put another exclamation mark on his stunning World Cup campaign with a piece of individual brilliance to extend New Zealand’s lead in the 48th minute and Hughes added his name to the scoresheet five minutes later with his own dummy and run and suddenly the score had blown out to 24-10.
The Kiwis’ World Cup final berth was all but sealed when Xavier Willison crashed over in the 70th minute before Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad downed an Erin Clark cross-field chip on the buzzer.
New Zealand's only injury concern going into the final will be an ankle issue for prop Naufahu Whyte, who left the contest early in the second half and did not return.
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Dominant win qualifies Kiwi Ferns for Final
The Kiwi Ferns put on a dominant display in Newcastle, shutting out Fetu Samoa whilst they slotted seven thrilling tries.
Canberra Raiders Mackenzie Wiki opened the scoring early, dotting down in the corner, whilst Stacey Waaka notched another off a chip through from Co-Captain Raecene McGregor. The duo successfully ran the same play again in the second half for another four points.
Kiwi Ferns Head Coach Rick Henry said: “That was a really good Samoan team that played tonight; I thought they were great during the World Cup and deserve credit.
“As the game got on, I felt that we got better and better. We found our rhythm and our groove and were able to score some really good tries towards the back of that second half.”
In the second 35, Warriors representatives Mele Hufanga, Kaiyah Atai and Waaka each crossed the chalk. McGregor then dove under the posts for another try, which Chantay Kiria-Ratu successfully converted to bring the final score to 32-0.
Influential centre Stacey Waaka earned Player of the Match with her second hat-trick performance of the Rugby League World Cup.
“Whenever the ball goes near her, you know you’ve got a chance of something,” said Henry of the rugby union convert.
The Kiwi Ferns now progress to the Rugby League World Cup Final in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November.
Tries: STACEY WAAKA 3 (25', 44', 64'), RAECENE MCGREGOR (67'), KAIYAH ATAI (60'), MELE HUFANGA (58'), MACKENZIE WIKI (2')
Conversions: CHANTAY KIRIA-RATU 2/7 (29%)
Ponga to start semifinal against Tonga
Fullback Kalyn Ponga will start for the New Zealand Kiwis in tonight’s Rugby League World Cup semifinal against Tonga at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle (8.05pm kick-off local time; 10.05pm NZT).
After being included in jersey #21 in the 22-man squad named on Tuesday, he moved onto the six-man bench in the updated side released at the 24-hour deadline last night.
Now, 90 minutes out from kick-off, he is confirmed at fullback as he returns from breaking his left arm in his Test debut against the Kangaroos in Sydney on October 15.
His inclusion results in Keano Kini, who started at fullback in the wins over the Cook Islands and Fiji, moving to the six-man bench. Also joining the extended bench is hooker Phoenix Crossland in jersey #22.
The three players omitted from the 22-man squad are Scott Sorensen, Leo Thompson and Tanner Stowers-Smith.
In a forced change to the starting lineup, utility Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was named on the left wing to replace the suspended Ronaldo Mulitalo.
Other than Ponga and Nicoll-Klokstad, the rest of the side is unchanged from the one used in last Saturday’s 78-0 victory over the Fiji Bati in Robina, a record winning margin for the Kiwis topping the 74-0 win over Tonga at Carlaw Park in 1999 and the 84-10 trouncing of the Cook Islands in Reading at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
The Kiwis face a Tonga side which comes into the match with three straight wins over England 30-12, Lebanon 36-0 and Toa Samoa 20-18.
After being edged out 24-22 by the Kangaroos at Allianz Stadium in the opening match of the tournament, the Kiwis have scored at a point a minute in racking up 160 points against the Cook Islands (82-16) and Fiji (78-0).
Leading the way in the points-scoring stakes have been centre Casey McLean and winger Jamayne Isaako.
McLean has seven tries in the three games played, including four against Fiji. Scoring in every Test he has played since his debut in 2024, the 20-year-old already has a total of 15 tries in just seven internationals, only seven short of Manu Vatuvei’s New Zealand record of 22.
High-scoring Issako is closing in on Shaun Johnson’s all-time points-scoring mark of 225 in Tests.
He claimed the record for most goals in a Test for the Kiwis with 13 against the Cook Islands and then repeated it against Fiji to take his career tally for New Zealand to 215. In this World Cup alone, he has 74 points in three games, including 31 goals from 32 attempts.
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS v TONGA
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
8.05pm, Saturday, November 7, 2026
1 Keano Kini
2 Jamayne Isaako
3 Dane Gagai
4 Casey McLean
5 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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 (v/c)
14 Te Maire Martin
15 Naufahu Whyte
16 Erin Clark
17 Xavier Willison
18 Scott Sorensen
19 Leo Thompson
20 Tanner Stowers-Smith
21 Kalyn Ponga
22 Phoenix Crossland
Whyte looks to put cherry on top of a very sweet season
With a premiership ring and Dally M Prop of the Year gong already on his CV, powerhouse Kiwi Naufahu Whyte is daring to dream of adding a World Cup title to his haul.
And the 24-year-old, who racked up 208 run metres off the bench against Fiji on Saturday, has even joked about retiring if New Zealand can claim another World Cup to go with their 2008 success.
“Lifting that final trophy would just be the cherry on top for me," Whyte told NRL.com.
“I've joked around about it [retirement], being like, 'Oh, yeah, I think that's me after this and just retire at 24 but nah... international you know, it's the best of the best and there's no easy games.
“There’s no easy way out, coming with next two games and we honestly just got to get back to the drawing board, work on the things that we know we can improve on and just go after it."
When it comes to 'going after it', few have done it better in 2026, with Whyte dominating through the middle in the Roosters' grand final win over Newcastle and backing that up on the world stage in recent weeks.
And he gives plenty of the credit for his blistering form to his fellow Kiwi big men, who have laid a foundation for Casey McLean, Keano Kini and Dane Gagai to run wild.
“I still pinch myself to this day, being in the same room alongside these guys," he said.
“There are a lot of boys that I looked up to coming throughout the grades and it just buzzes me out that I get to play alongside them.
“You know even though I’m a premiership winner, Dally M prop, all that kind of stuff, I always think like, 'nah, I'm not as good as I think I am'.
“I've only had a good couple of years these guys [James Fisher-Harris, Joseph Tapine, Moses Leota] have been having those kinds of years for many years now and consistently too.
“I ask them what it takes to be a top-tier prop and the things that I can work on to make my game better.
“There’s no better props and middle forwards to learn from, than the boys that's in this room.”
Whyte and his Kiwi teammates now turn their attention to a showdown with the powerhouse Tonga pack in Newcastle.
“You know at the end of the day our job as forwards, as middles, as props, we lay the platform, so it allows the edges and outside backs to do their thing," he said.
“We know that as middles if we can dominate and own that middle then we can win the game.
“It’s my job and it’s not really anything too difficult or hard. It's just own the middle, run hard, tackle hard."
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Winging it: Wiki embracing her new role for the Ferns
Mackenzie Wiki has embraced a team first mentality in her first IRL World Cup with the Kiwi Ferns, saying she would even follow the footsteps of her father Ruben who transitioned from the backs to the front row.
“I've always made a joke that if you want me in the middle, I'll go in the middle,” Wiki said.
For now however, she looks right at home playing in the wing in a switch from her regular position of centre where she scored 10 tries in 13 appearances for the Raiders this season.
“It was a massive change from centre to wing, but I've always been told wherever you get put, to play your heart out,” Wiki told NRL.com.
“But I've found a little home at the winger spot and I'm I enjoying it.”
Ferns coach Ricky Henry praised his outside back's performance post his side's 40-12 win over PNG Orchids on Saturday night after she registered two tries and one try assist, having now scored four tries in two appearances.
“She’s been awesome,” Henry said.
“Turned up first week and unfortunately Shanice Parker got injured and she (Wiki) came in [to camp].
“She’s been asking a lot of questions, she’s built a bit of a combination with Stacey Waaka on that right edge and we’ve got something going there so really, really happy with that.
“She’s a quality player, she was unfortunate to miss our squad initially and she's come in and made every post a winner.
“So [if she] keeps playing like that and keeps scoring tries and making breaks and that sort of stuff, we’ll keep her in the team.”
Although it isn’t her first World Cup experience - having represented Cook Islands in 2021 - Wiki has still been turning to her club teammates in Zahara Temara and Leianne Tufuga for guidance.
“Those two I'm very close with back home in Canberra, so I lean on them quite a lot,” Wiki said.
“But the rest of the girls, they're all so good and I don't really have a group where I like go to more because everyone's all open arms, it's been such a great sisterhood.
“Last World Cup, four years ago, I was a full-on rookie to rugby league and it was a very different camp from this one.
“Obviously the Kiwi Ferns have been in it for a while, and I know Cook Islands have been there as well, but it’s (camp) still good, but different in their own ways.
“I love the culture of Cook Islands … I love representing my Cook Islands culture for my grandfather and for my mum.
“But it's also nice to represent New Zealand from where I grew up and where my parents both were born.”
The Ferns return to the World Cup semi finals on Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium facing off against the flying Fetu Samoa side, a challenge that Wiki is ready to embrace.
“They're going to bring everything, they're such a great strong squad,” Wiki said.
“They’ve got a really good connection in their team and I know we do too [so] it's going to be a great battle out there.
“I know they're going to bring out their all, but I know that we are as well, but I think it's going to be a good match.”
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Ponga, Crossland in Kiwis' extended squad
Hometown players Kalyn Ponga and Phoenix Crossland have been named in the New Zealand Kiwis’ extended squad for their Rugby League World Cup semifinal against Tonga at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday (8.05pm kick-off local time; 10.05pm NZT).
Fullback Ponga has been selected in jersey #21 as he bids to make his return to the side after breaking his left arm in his Test debut against the Kangaroos in Sydney on October 15.
Hooker Crossland is listed in jersey #22 after being called into the squad last night as a replacement for injured second rower Jacob Laban, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
In a forced change to the starting lineup, Kiwi head coach Stacey Jones has selected utility Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad on the left wing to replace the suspended Ronaldo Mulitalo.
The rest of the side named is unchanged from the one used in last Saturday’s 78-0 victory over the Fiji Bati in Robina, a record winning margin for the Kiwis topping the 74-0 win over Tonga at Carlaw Park in 1999 and the 84-10 trouncing of the Cook Islands in Reading at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
The Kiwis face a Tonga side which comes into the match with three straight wins over England 30-12, Lebanon 36-0 and Toa Samoa 20-18.
After being edged out 24-22 by the Kangaroos at Allianz Stadium in the opening match of the tournament, the Kiwis have scored at a point a minute in racking up 160 points against the Cook Islands (82-16) and Fiji (78-0).
Leading the way in the points-scoring stakes have been centre Casey McLean and winger Jamayne Isaako.
McLean has seven tries in the three games played, including four against Fiji. Scoring in every Test he has played since his debut in 2024, the 20-year-old already has a total of 15 tries in just seven internationals, only seven short of Manu Vatuvei’s New Zealand record of 22.
High-scoring Isaako is closing in on Shaun Johnson’s all-time points-scoring mark of 225 in Tests.
He claimed the record for most goals in a Test for the Kiwis with 13 against the Cook Islands and then repeated it against Fiji to take his career tally for New Zealand to 215. In this World Cup alone he has 74 points in three games including 31 goals from 32 attempts.
2026 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS v TONGA
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
8.05pm, Saturday, November 7, 2026
1. Keano Kini | Kiwi #836
2. Jamayne Isaako | Kiwi #808
3. Dane Gagai | Kiwi #845
4. Casey McLean | Kiwi #841
5. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad | Kiwi #820
6. Kodi Nikorima | Kiwi #793
7. Jahrome Hughes | Kiwi #819
8. James Fisher-Harris (c) | Kiwi #801
9. Jeremy Marshall-King | Kiwi #830
10. Moses Leota | Kiwi #827
11. Isaiah Papali’i | Kiwi #817
12. Briton Nikora | Kiwi #818
13. Joseph Tapine (vc) | Kiwi #800
14. Te Maire Martin | Kiwi #802
15. Naufahu Whyte | Kiwi #839
16. Erin Clark | Kiwi #842
17. Xavier Willison | Kiwi #843
18. Scott Sorensen | Kiwi #831
19. Leo Thompson | Kiwi #833
20. Tanner Stowers-Smith | Kiwi #846
21. Kalyn Ponga | Kiwi #844
22. Phoenix Crossland | Kiwi #838
COACH: Stacey Jones
Hufanga returns to Kiwi Ferns side for Semi-Final
A determined Kiwi Ferns side will take the field on Saturday for their Rugby League World Cup semi-final clash with Fetu Samoa.
Following three strong wins in the pool stages, the Kiwi Ferns are approaching this match with the same tenacity, assembling an experienced and skilled side.
The return of Warriors centre Mele Hufanga to the lineup will be immense, with the powerful ball carrier creating a lethal combination with Leianne Tufuga on the left wing.
“Mele is a big game player; she’s proven time and time again that when she puts on the black jersey, she grows another leg. So looking for a bit of strike there for her to play her best footy,” said Kiwi Ferns Head Coach Ricky Henry.
Additional star power assembles on the right edge with Stacey Waaka and Mackenzie Wiki continuing their thriving try-scoring partnership.
Following a thrilling long-range try last week off the bench, Otesa Pule moves to a starting prop spot, with Alexis Tauaneai.
Meanwhile, Chantay Kiria-Ratu will rejoin Raecene McGregor to steer the team in the halves. She was a stalwart for the New Zealand side during their record-breaking 92-0 win over France, so she earns another opportunity this weekend.
Fetu Samoa have won convincingly in their last two pool matches, and Henry acknowledges the threat they will present this Saturday.
“They’re a team that’s riding a high, and they’re confident. We’re looking forward to a really tough battle, and it’s going to be great for women’s rugby league and the World Cup,” said Henry.
The Kiwi Ferns kick off at 5.45pm AEDT / 7.45pm NZDT in Newcastle, ahead of the Kiwis v Tonga match at 8.05pm AEDT / 10.05pm NZDT.
Kiwi Ferns squad to face Fetu Samoa:
- Apii Nicholls
- Leianne Tufuga
- Mele Hufanga
- Stacey Waaka
- Mackenzie Wiki
- Chantay Kiria-Ratu
- Raecene McGregor (Co-Captain)
- Alexis Tauaneai
- Georgia Hale (Co-Captain)
- Otesa Pule
- Shaniece Monschau
- Kaiyah Atai
- Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Interchange:
- Ashleigh Quinlan
- Annessa Biddle
- Shannon Mato
- Ivana Lauitiiti
Reserves:
- Brooke Anderson
- Brianna Clark
- Zahara Temara
- Abigail Roache
- Tenika Willison
Kiwis lose Laban to injury, Crossland called up
Injury has forced Jacob Laban out of the New Zealand Kiwis’ Rugby LeagueWorld Cup squad ahead of their semifinal against Tonga at McDonald JonesStadium in Newcastle on Saturday.
The 22-year-old missed training last week and scanssince have confirmed a lower leg injury which has ruled him out for the rest ofthe tournament.
“It’s really disappointing for Jake and for us afterthe outstanding year he has had,” said Kiwi head coach Stacey Jones.
Replacing Laban is Newcastle Knights hooker PhoenixCrossland who has played six times for the Kiwis since 2024, his last Testcoming In the 36-14 win over Toa Samoa in the Pacific Championships final in Sydneylast year.
Kiwis thrash Fiji Bati to advance to semis
New Zealand winger Ronaldo Mulitalo and Fiji halfback Brandon Wakeham were sent from the field at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday as the Kiwis tuned up for the semi-finals with a 78-0 smashing of the Bati.
With the Kiwis cruising at 48-0 the match exploded in the 52nd minute when Mulitalo shot in off his wing and made high contact with Ronald Philitoga, who was ruled out of the rest of the game.
Wakeham came in to remonstrate with Mulitalo and threw a punch, leading to him being marched.
With both sides down to 12 men the Kiwis ran in five more tries, with gun centre Casey McLean bagging four to take his record to 15 tries in seven Tests.
While Mulitalo faces a nervous wait for Sunday's judiciary charges his team-mates will revel in the comprehensive nature of the victory that sends an ominous warning to their World Cup rivals.
Chasing their first World Cup title since 2008, the Kiwis' 13-try romp was started and finished by Keano Kini, who racked up 260 run metres and seven tackle breaks.
The clash at Cbus Super Stadium was a shootout for a semi-final berth but in the end the Bati simply had no answers as the loss of Api Koroisau (jaw) and Semi Valemei (head knock) in the first half left them rattled.
By the time the half-time siren sounded the Kiwis had racked up a 48-0 lead as Kini, McLean and Mulitalo broke tackles at will and Naufahu Whyte continued to enhance his reputation as one of the game's elite big men.
Skipper James Fisher-Harris got in on the action with his first Test try since the 2023 Pacific Championships against Samoa, trailing through to pounce on the ball after Mulitalo had tapped back a Jahrome Hughes bomb.
Hughes finished the day with three try assists as he tuned up for the knockout stage of the tournament where the Kiwis are a chance of welcoming back superstar Kalyn Ponga from a broken arm.
Ponga suffered the injury in the tournament opener against Australia on October 15 and most expected he was done for the campaign but the Knights No.1 has worked tirelessly on his rehab and looms as a real X-factor for the Kiwis next week.
As seen on rlwc2026.com
Kiwi Ferns secure semi final spot with win in Gold Coast
The Kiwi Ferns have finished the pool stages of the Rugby League World Cup with a dominant 40-12 win over Papua New Guinea in the Gold Coast. This secures their spot in the semi-finals where they will face Fetu Samoa in Newcastle, Australia.
In damp conditions, it was a tug-of-war for the first half, but a try from Kaiya Atai just before the break pulled the Kiwi Ferns ahead to 14-12.
Opening the second half strongly, NRLW Premiership winner Otesa Pule scored a barnstorming 60m runaway try, which set the tone for the final 35 minutes.
Mackenzie Wiki followed with her second try, and fellow Canberra Raiders winger Leianne Tufuga ran in another. Two tries from Abigail Roache sealed the deal for the New Zealand side, with Papua New Guinea unable to retaliate.
Head Coach Ricky Henry said: “They turned up ready to play and put a bit of pressure on us, but then I thought the second half for us, [we] definitely got on top and were able to maintain our composure and start to put in some tries. So really happy with the second half, but obviously there are things we need to work on.”
The strong attacking game saw the Kiwi Ferns run 1313 metres, to Papua New Guinea’s 756, and make 11 line breaks while their opposition managed one.
Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls took out Player of the Match, leading the stats boards for try assists (2), run meters (200), and runs (17).
The Kiwi Ferns v Fetu Samoa semi-final will kick off at 5.45pm AEDT on Saturday 7 November at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.
Tries: Kiwi Ferns: Stacey Waaka, Mackenzie Wiki (2), Kaiyah Atai, Otesa Pule, Leianne Tufuga, Abigail Roache (2). Papua New Guinea: Tia Molo, Elsie Albert
Conversions: Kiwi Ferns: Zahara Temara (4). Papua New Guinea: Emily Veivers (2)