Two semifinals, two different tests for the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns in Newcastle

Fetu Samoa are within one win of a first women’s World Cup final, while unbeaten Tonga stand between the Kiwis and their first men’s final since 2013.

By Webfit News | 7 November 2026

The Kiwi Ferns scored 92 points against France. The Kiwis put 160 past the Cook Islands and Fiji combined. Those numbers tell us what New Zealand’s two teams can do when a game opens up. The more useful clues for tonight’s Rugby League World Cup semifinals come from games that stayed close.

The Kiwi Ferns led Papua New Guinea by just two points at halftime last weekend. Tonga beat Samoa by two points in a men’s pool match that went down to the wire. In Newcastle tonight, both New Zealand sides may have to win a game that’s still undecided deep into the second half.

Both matches are at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, on Saturday 7 November. The Kiwi Ferns play Fetu Samoa at 7.45pm NZDT, followed by the Kiwis against Tonga at 10.05pm NZDT. Sky Sport is carrying both matches live in New Zealand.

Kiwi Ferns v Fetu Samoa: Can New Zealand pull away?

The Kiwi Ferns’ 40–12 win over Papua New Guinea looks comfortable on paper. At halftime it was 14–12. New Zealand scored 26 unanswered points after the break, but for most of the first half PNG were close enough to make every mistake matter. Fetu Samoa will want to keep the margin that tight for longer. They came within two points of beating the Ferns in 2025.

Fetu Samoa have already had to recover from a heavy defeat in this tournament. Australia beat them 40–0 in their opener, but they responded with wins over Wales and England. The 24–6 victory over England earned Samoa their first women’s World Cup semifinal. They have made one change to their starting line-up, with Fanua Rimoni named at lock and Tavarna Papalii moving to the bench.

For New Zealand, Mele Hufanga’s return at centre gives Samoa another problem to solve out wide. Stacey Waaka has scored six tries in three games, while Hufanga lines up inside winger Leianne Tufuga on the other edge. If Samoa need a second defender to stop Hufanga, Tufuga could find room outside. If they hold their width, Hufanga gets a chance to take on her opposite number one-on-one.

Kiwis v Tonga: Watch where Jahrome Hughes gets the ball

Tonga beat England in their opener, shut out Lebanon 36–0, then edged Samoa 20–18. New Zealand won their last meeting 40–14 in the Pacific Championship, but Tonga arrive unbeaten and have already shown they can handle a tight finish.

Watch where Jahrome Hughes receives the ball on the last tackle. If James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Joseph Tapine can get the Kiwis moving forward early in their sets, Hughes has more room to choose where to kick and can make Tonga start further from halfway. If Tonga win those early tackles, he may spend more of the night kicking under pressure. In the opening 20 minutes, where each team starts its sets could tell us more about who’s on top than the score.

Kalyn Ponga is the selection to watch, with Keano Kini named to start at fullback. Ponga is in the extended squad as he bids to return from a broken arm, alongside fellow Newcastle player Phoenix Crossland. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been named on the wing in place of the suspended Ronaldo Mulitalo.

The other semifinals are in Sydney on Sunday. The Kiwi Ferns or Fetu Samoa will face either Australia or Fiji in the women’s final. The Kiwis or Tonga will meet Australia or Samoa in the men’s final.

Original reporting by Jonty Dine, RNZ, “Rugby League World Cup semifinals: Everything you need to know.”