Arabic version: ثلاثية واكا تقود نيوزيلندا إلى نهائي كأس العالم

According to The Guardian, Stacey Waaka scored a hat-trick as New Zealand beat Fetu Samoa 32-0 in a Women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final in Newcastle. The Kiwi Ferns were rarely threatened and sealed their place in the final with a late surge, scoring four tries in the final 12 minutes on Saturday afternoon.

Waaka, a dual international, contributed to New Zealand’s early breakthrough before adding three tries of her own. Her hat-trick took her to nine tries in the tournament, level with Australia winger Jaime Chapman at the top of the tryscoring tally. New Zealand had opened the scoring within two minutes after a Samoan error allowed winger Mackenze Wiki to cross out wide.

The first half was marked by errors, and Samoa had the better of the chances but did not score despite time in good field position. New Zealand then repelled a five-minute assault on their try-line before extending their advantage. Waaka claimed her first try after Samoa winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala lacked urgency while attempting to secure a Raecene McGregor kick.

The Kiwi Ferns moved 14 points clear five minutes into the second half when another McGregor kick landed for Waaka’s second try. Waaka completed her hat-trick during the late flurry, while McGregor, centre Mele Hufanga and back-rower Kaiyah Atai also scored. New Zealand will face the winner of the Australia-Fiji semi-final in Brisbane next weekend, seeking to avenge their 54-4 loss to the Jillaroos in the 2021 final.