New Zealand secures Rugby League World Cup semi-final spot with dominant win over Fiji

Dominant Performance

New Zealand booked their place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals following a commanding 78-0 victory over Fiji on Australia's Gold Coast. The Kiwis secured a 24-0 lead within the opening 13 minutes, ultimately crossing for 13 tries throughout the match. Casey McLean led the scoring with four tries, while several teammates, including Keano Kini with two, contributed to the final tally.

Injury Concerns and Disciplinary Issues

The match was physically demanding for both sides:

• Fiji captain Apisai Koroisau suffered a suspected broken jaw early in the game.
• Semi Valemei left the field with a head injury in the first half.
• New Zealand winger Ronaldo Mulitalo and Fiji half-back Brandon Wakeham were both sent off following a second-half altercation.

New Zealand faces uncertainty regarding Mulitalo, who may face a suspension for a high tackle. However, head coach Stacey Jones noted that star full-back Kalyn Ponga, sidelined since October 15 with a broken arm, has returned to training and could be available for the semi-final.

Tournament Outlook

New Zealand awaits their opponent for the last-four stage, which will be determined by the outcome of the matches involving Samoa, Tonga, and England. Meanwhile, the New Zealand women’s team also advanced to the semi-finals after a 40-12 win over Papua New Guinea, setting up a meeting with Samoa. In the wheelchair competition, Australia defeated New Zealand 102-14, while France dominated Scotland with a 114-0 win.