Kiwi Ferns v Fetu Samoa 7.45pm NZT
Kiwis v Tonga 10.05pm NZT
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
For years, Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa have watched their best talent poached by their bigger Pacific neighbours.
Now, all three have the chance to turn the tables and knock those very nations out of their own World Cup.
The international stage has seen a significant power shift, since a swathe of former Kiwis, Kiwi Ferns, Kangaroos and Jillaroos pledged to represent their Pacific heritage.
The result has not just closed the gap, but made the historic minnows genuine title contenders.
This weekend could see the ultimate statement and the Pasifika rise reach truly remarkable heights, as they chase a place in the Rugby League World Cups finals.
However, Australia and New Zealand won’t relinquish their grip at the top of the international game without a serious fight.
The old guard is under threat, as the Pacific powers attempt to rewrite the rugby league hierarchy.
Form
After a gut-wrenching defeat to the Kangaroos in round one, the Kiwis have recovered in ruthless fashion, racking up a scorecard of 160-16 in their next two encounters against the Cook Islands and Fiji.
Meanwhile, Tonga is yet to taste defeat in their campaign. After a crucial round one win over England, Tonga eased passed Lebanon 36-0, before playing out an absolute thriller against Samoa, edging to a dramatic 20-18 win.
The Kiwi Ferns, it was produced a sloppy first outing against Fiji, before their commanding 92-0 rout of France in Christchurch and a solid 40-12 win over Papua New Guinea.
Fetu Samoa were hammered 40-0 in their tournament opener by the rampant Jillaroos 40-0, but bounced back with a big win over Wales, before holding off England 24-6 to book their playoff berth.
History
The Kiwis are hunting their first World Cup final appearance since 2013, after being eliminated by Fiji in the 2017 quarterfinals and the Aussies in a 2021 semi.
Tonga also produced their best result in 2017, controversially losing their semi to England 20-18.
The Kiwis and Tonga have met five times in the last 10 years, New Zealand winning three and Tonga two. In their last clash, the Kiwis claimed a comfortable 40-14 victory in last year’s Pacific Championship.
The Kiwi Ferns and Fetu Samoa have played just six times since 2003, with the Ferns taking that first encounter 84-0. Things have tightened up considerably since, with the Ferns sneaking home 22-20 in 2025.
Players to watch
All eyes will be on Kalyn Ponga and whether or not Kiwis coach Stacey Jones decides to pull the trigger on his superstar fullback, barely three weeks after he broke his arm. Ponga was electric in the tournament opener and will bring a serious spark from fullback, if selected.
“At the moment, he’s doing everything right,” Jones said. “The main thing is making sure that he’s ready.
“We’re not going to play him, if he’s not ready.”
For the Ferns, Stacey Waaka has made a seamless transition to the 13-woman code and has showcased all of her class in her first RLWC appearance.
Fast and strong, with an insatiable appetite for tries, she has crossed the line six times in three games so far, so Fetu will have their work cut out to contain Waaka in Newcastle.
Selections
Ponga has been named in the reserves, alongside another returning Knight in Phoenix Crossland, who is back from a four-game suspension, following a tackle on Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary in the NRL preliminary final.
The Kiwis will be without wing Ronaldo Mulitalo, who is serving a one-game ban for a shoulder charge against Fiji last weekend. That sees Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad called up to start.
The Kiwi Ferns will welcome the return of Warriors centre Mele Hufanga to their line-up, creating a lethal combination with Leianne Tufuga on the left side. Chantay Kiria-Ratu will rejoin Raecene McGregor in the halves.
What are they saying?
“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.”
Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry
“We know how far they’ve come from being a tier two nation. I think that’s a bit of an understatement for them.
“You look at the players across that team and they’ve got so many elite superstars. We can’t look past these guys.”
Team lists
Kiwi Ferns: 1.Apii Nicholls, 2. Leianne Tufuga, 3. Mele Hufanga, 4. Stacey Waaka, 5. Mackenzie Wiki, 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu, 7. Raecene McGregor (co-captain), 8. Alexis Tauaneai, 9. Georgia Hale (co-captain), 10. Otesa Pule, 11. Shaniece Monschau, 12. Kaiyah Atai, 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Interchange:14. Ashleigh Quinlan, 15 Annessa Biddle, 16. Shannon Mato, 17. Ivana Lauitiiti,
Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson, 19. Brianna Clark, 20. Zahara Temara, 21. Abigail Roache, 22. Tenika Willison
Kiwis: 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, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison, 18. Scott Sorensen, 19. Leo Thompson
Reserves: 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21. Kalyn Ponga, 22. Phoenix Crossland
