The weather has wreaked havoc again.

The Kiwis put up another high kick that Tongan fullback Lehi Hopoate cannot get to.

Hopoate then drops the ball, and New Zealand have the ball with a great chance to score.

And the Kiwis do score.

Halfback Jahrome Hughes throws a dummy, then steps inside and through the defensive line to score.

In the context of this match, and with rain coming down, this is a big lead.

New Zealand 24

Tonga 10

A high kick from New Zealand gets caught in the wind, and blows away from everyone and towards to Tongan goal-line.

The ball bounced into the in-goal, but the Kiwis were unable to ground the footy.

What a passage of rugby league.

It started with Tonga making a big break, before a huge shot by Kiwi centre Dane Gagai forced the ball loose.

The Kiwis then rolled down the field and were on the doorstep of the Tongan goal-line.

Left centre Casey McLean got the ball, then produced a step to beat fellow Penrith Panthers teammate Paul Alamoti to score.

With a massive wind running up and down the field, Jamayne Isaako has a kick from the left touchline. Isaako kicks the footy essentially to the centre of the field, and the wind pushes it between the sticks.

New Zealand 18

Tonga 10

New Zealand runs the ball on the final play, and the short-side raid leads to Dane Gagai running for the goal-line.

Only Tongan fullback Lehi Hopoate can stop him, and the Tongan number 1 nails the ball-and-all tackle.

New Zealand 12

Tonga 10

Jahrome Hughes slices through the Tonga defence.

He runs clear and then passes for Briton Nikora, who will score if he catches the ball cleanly.

But a Tongan hand knocks the footy off course, and Nikora drops the ball.

New Zealand 12

Tonga 10

The Kiwis needed to defend stoutly to start the second half, and they did.

Tonga threw plenty at the Kiwis, but could not score a try to take the lead.

New Zealand 12

Tonga 10

The wind has picked up in Newcastle.

Tonga is kicking into the wind, and the kick-off to start the second half falls short.

New Zealand players allow the ball to bounce, and it goes out. Tonga get the ball.

That brings an end to the first half — and what a half of footy it was.

The Kiwis exploded out of the gate, with Briton Nikora scoring in the third minute.

New Zealand dominated the opening 20 minutes, before Tonga winger Jojo Fifita made a line break from his own goal-line, setting up a break down the left wing by Tolutau Koula, who then threw it back to Fifita for the try.

Fifita was in for a second to give Tonga the lead, but a mistake from fullback Lehi Hopoate allowed Kiwi Dane Gagai to score and give the Kiwis a 12-10 half-time lead.

It is a disaster for Tonga.

Jahrome Hughes puts in a grubber for Kalyn Ponga to chase.

Tonga fullback Lehi Hopoate has it covered, but he looks over his shoulder before he gathers the ball, AND HE BOBBLES IT.

He is taken out by Ponga — that is legal.

The ball bounces around the in-goal and Dane Gagai is there to ground the ball for the Kiwis.

Jamayne Isaako nails the conversion to give the Kiwis the lead.

New Zealand 12

Tonga 10

Tonga has the lead.

With a scrum just 10 metres from the New Zealand line, the Tongans shifted to the left and winger Jojo Fifita was able to reach out and ground the ball with one arm, with a defender all over him.

New Zealand 6

Tonga 10

Kalyn Ponga is playing without fear.

Big Tongan Demitric Vaimauga was charging to the line, but Ponga was able to come across and made an amazing one-on-one tackle.

A bad challenge from Tonga.

They are penalised after Salesi Foketi illegally stripped the ball.

Tonga claimed the other defender in that tackle, Haumole Olakau'atu, was not actually holding onto the ball carrier.

That might be technically true, but he is underneath him in a tackle motion, and the bunker ruled the challenge unsuccessful.

New Zealand 6

Tonga 6

Tonga has just scored one of the great World Cup tries.

Jojo Fifita collected a kick on his goal-line, but broke through two defenders and was away.

He passes to his left, and then another pass to Tolutau Koula has the centre streaking down the wing.

Koula draws in Kiwi fullback Kalyn Ponga, then passes back to Fifita, who scores under the posts.

We are level.

New Zealand 6

Tonga

WHACK.

Kalyn Ponga is returning a kick, and gets absolutely walloped by Tongan hooker Salesi Foketi.

That has set the tone.

Brilliant from the Kiwis.

Centre Casey McLean made a big break up the middle, getting the Kiwis into an attacking position.

The Tongans had to scramble for a full set.

On the final play, the Kiwis looked to have an overlap, but Joseph Tapine was unable to quickly catch and pass, dropping the footy.

New Zealand 6

Tonga 0

Tonga tried to force their way over the goal-line, but the Kiwi defence was strong.

The Tongans got a fresh set of six after an infringement by the Kiwis (I think they were offside).

But the Kiwis were able to hold, with a last-play kick to the corner dropped by the Tongans.

Tonga has a big chance.

They were awarded a penalty just 10 metres out after Kiwi winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad obstructed the Tonga kick-chase.

New Zealand and Tonga have both settled into this match.

Kalyn Ponga, 23 days after breaking his arm, looks threatening every time he has the ball.

The Kiwis are winning the territory battle, but the Tongans have had an attacking grubber to the in-goal, which was defused by the Kiwis.

BANG.

The Kiwis struck first, and they struck fast.

New Zealand fullback Kalyn Ponga started the passage of play with a raid down the sideline, getting the Kiwis into position.

Ponga then gave a lovely short pass to Briton Nikora, and the back-rower muscles his way over the line.

New Zealand 6

Tonga 0

Tonga will have the first use of the ball, and prop  Addin Fonua-Blake takes the first run.

He is met by a wall of black jerseys.

The Tongas get to their kick, and Kiwi fullback Kalyn Ponga collects the footy and makes his first run.

One of the most intense pre-match war cries has just taken place.

Tonga was intense with the Sipi Tau, but copped a mighty reply from the New Zealand Haka.

Then, THE STARE DOWN.

Both sets of players stood, for what felt like an eternity, neither wanting to back down.

There is a massive crowd at Hunter Stadium, and there is plenty of red in the crowd.

Paul Alamoti (20) is in at centre, replacing the injured Robert Toia.

Backs

• 1 Lehi Hopoate
• 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
• 3 Tolutau Koula
• 20 Paul Alamoti
• 5 Jojo Fifita
• 6 Tuimoala Lolohea
• 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

• 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
• 9 Salesi Foketi
• 10 Jason Taumalolo
• 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
• 12 Siua Wong
• 13 Tyson Frizell

Interchange

• 14 Soni Luke
• 15 Stefano Utoikamanu
• 16 Demitric Vaimauga
• 17 Taniela Paseka
• 18 Leka Halasima
• 19 Latu Fainu

New Zealand have two MASSIVE ins.

Kalyn Ponga, 23 days after breaking his arm, will start at fullback for the Kiwis. That means Keano Kini goes back to the bench.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Crossland has been added to the six-man bench. He missed the pool matches due to suspension after a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary in Newcastle's preliminary final win over Penrith in September.

Backs

• 21 Kalyn Ponga
• 2 Jamayne Isaako
• 3 Dane Gagai
• 4 Casey McLean
• 5 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
• 6 Kodi Nikorima
• 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

• 8 James Fisher-Harris
• 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
• 10 Moses Leota
• 11 Isaiah Papali'i
• 12 Briton Nikora
• 13 Joseph Tapine

Interchange

• 1 Keano Kini
• 14 Te Maire Martin
• 15 Naufahu Whyte
• 16 Erin Clark
• 17 Xavier Willison
• 22 Phoenix Crossland

Here is when the men's Rugby League World Cup semifinal between New Zealand and Tonga will begin in each Australian state and territory, and each country in the tournament.

• 8:05pm AEDT: NSW, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania
• 7:35pm ACDT: South Australia
• 7:05pm AEST: Queensland, PNG
• 6:35pm ACST: Northern Territory
• 5:35pm AWST: Western Australia
• 9:05pm FJT: Fiji
• 10:05pm NZDT: New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa
• 11:05pm CKT: Cook Islands
• 9:05am BST: United Kingdom
• 10:05am CET: France
• 11:05pm EET: Lebanon

A tremendous outing for Stacey Waaka.

She scored three tries in the semifinal, and now has a chance to add the Rugby League World Cup to her list of accomplishments.

Waaka has already won two Olympic gold medals in rugby 7s and two women's Rugby Union World Cups for New Zealand.

"A really close first half, but the team who was going to win was the one who played right to the end, then I think we done that," Waaka told the 7 Network post-match

"I love playing games with these young guns. It's fun learning off them too, because they've been in the game a little bit longer, but I'm just enjoying the whole experience.

"I can't wait for this next week and bring on whoever is in the final with us."

New Zealand has secured its place in a seventh consecutive women's Rugby League World Cup final after beating Fetu Samoa 32-0.

Having made the decider in all six previous tournaments, flyer Stacey Waaka scored three tries to guide her nation to semifinal triumph.

New Zealand will face either Australia or Fiji, who play the second semifinal in Sydney on Sunday.

The scoreline is starting to get out of hand.

The Kiwi Ferns again roll down the field, picking apart a very tired Fetu Samoa defence.

Captain Raecene McGregor has scored under the posts.

New Zealand 32

Fetu Samoa 0

Oh. What a pass from Annessa Biddle.

The Kiwi Ferns were keeping the ball alive near the Fetu Samoa goal-line.

Interchange Annessa Biddle leaps over a downed defender and, while in the air, throws a one-handed flick pass to Stacey Waaka, who scores a third try.

New Zealand 26 

Fetu Samoa 0

New Zealand have marched down the field and scored a fourth try.

Quick play-the-balls allowed the Kiwi Ferns to roll down the field, with Fetu Samoa's defence in retreat.

Kaiyah Atai charged onto a short pass with defenders back-pedalling, and Atai muscled her way to the goal-line.

That's it — lay-down misère. New Zealand are going to win.

New Zealand 22

Fetu Samoa 0

That should be it.

The Kiwi Ferns had a goal-line dropout, which was dropped over the sideline by Samoan halfback Pauline Piliae-Rasabale.

That took the air out of this match, as it felt like Samoa's chances were running out.

The Kiwi Ferns, aided by a penalty, marched down the field.

Destructive centre Mele Hufanga got the ball near the goal-line and shrugged off three defenders to score.

New Zealand 18

Fetu Samoa 0

The match could have been sealed for the Kiwi Ferns.

Ashleigh Quinlan made the linebreak near the goal-line, and as she was being tackled, passed inside to Alexis Tauaneai.

But Tauaneai could not hold onto the footy, and a certain try goes begging.

New Zealand 14

Fetu Samoa 0

Fetu Samoa has been its own worst enemy.

With the ball at halfway line, halfback Pauline Piliae-Rasabale tried to throw a cut-out pass to an open winger, but it went forward.

That is Fetu Samoa's fourth forward pass in this match.

New Zealand 14

Fetu Samoa 0

Excellent from New Zealand.

The play started with the Kiwi Ferns shifting to the left, then they passed back to the right.

Raecene McGregor put in a perfect little kick that was caught by a charging Stacey Waaka, who scored.

New Zealand 14

Fetu Samoa 0

We have HUGE news from the New Zealand Kiwis.

Kalyn Ponga will start at fullback in tonight's semifinal against Tonga.

Ponga broke his arm in the opening match of the tournament against Australia — 23 days ago.

New Zealand, holding an eight-point lead, has the first use of the ball in the second half.

The Kiwi Ferns have an incident-free set, and kick clear.

The wind is still strong and will play a roll in this match.

This is the seventh Women's Rugby League World Cup.

New Zealand have made it into the final in EVERY tournament.

They won the first three (2000, 2003, 2008), and have lost the final to Australia in the other three (2013, 2017, 2021).

That is the end of 35 minutes.

New Zealand have two tries and lead 8-0 over Fetu Samoa.

Neither team has been at their best, highlighting how tense a World Cup semifinal is.

The Kiwi Ferns had a scrum near halfway and could have had a full set to try and get a third try.

But a forward pass on the opening play of the set ended any hopes of a double-digit lead at the break.

(BOM)

The clouds are getting bigger, and look dark.

The wind has also picked up, which will making catching the high ball very tricky.

A lovely little chip kick to the in-goal from New Zealand halfback Raecene McGregor landed between two Fetuy Samoa players.

Samoan winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala needed to attack the footy, but she backed off and let it bounce.

Kiwi Ferns star centre Stacey Waaka charged onto the loose ball and scored.

Meanwhile, the weather is looking ominous.

Thick, dark clouds are heading to Hunter Stadium, and the wind is so strong that the ball would not stay on the kicking tee.

New Zealand 8

Fetu Samoa 0

Terrific defence from New Zealand.

They had to defend four sets on their goal line, and they did it brilliantly.

A big worry for Fetu Samoa as they never really looked like scoring.

New Zealand 4

Fetu Samoa 0

Fetu Samoa got themselves to the goal line, then shifted left.

The Samoans won a penalty after a player was taken without the footy by New Zealand captain Raecene McGregor.

With another set at the goal line, Fetu Samoa continued to threaten, but the Kiwi Ferns defence was firm.

Fetu Samoa got a third chance when a pass was knocked down by the Kiwi Ferns, and then a fourth set when New Zealand were called offside.

New Zealand 4

Fetu Samoa 0

Fetu Samoa has their best chance of the match, thus far.

Hooker Mary-Jane Taito nailed New Zealand winger Leianne Tufuga and forced the ball loose, giving Fetu Samoa a scrum just 20 metres out.

New Zealand 4

Fetu Samoa 0

Fetu Samoa needed to scramble to prevent a second try.

Mackenzie Wiki made a run for the right corner and was forced to throw the ball inside.

The ball hung in the air, and if Stacey Waaka could have caught the footy, it would have been a try.

But Waaka was hit as she tried to catch the footy over her head, and Fetus Samoa survived.

New Zealand 4

Fetu Samoa 0

After giving up the first try, Fetu Samoa worked their way back into the contest with strong defence.

The Samoan's forced an error in New Zealand territory and earned a scrum.

But off the scrum, the Samoans dropped the footy and threw away a great chance to get into an attacking position.

New Zealand 4

Fetu Samoa 0

Perfection from the Kiwi Ferns.

With an early chance at Samoa's goal line, the New Zealanders shifted to the right and winger Mackenzie Wiki touched down in the corner — completing the score with a lovely flip.

It was a nice pass from Stacey Waaka, basketball style, to Wiki for the try.

New Zealand 4

Fetu Samoa 0

Shocking start for Fetus Samoa.

Dummy half Mary-Jane Taito throws a forward pass early in the set.

Referee Tara Jones blows her whistle, and we are underway at Hunter Stadium.

New Zealand kick the ball, and Samoa will have the first use of the footy.

Both sets of players have made their way onto Hunter Stadium.

New Zealand has never lost a Rugby League World Cup semifinal in the women's competition.

Fetu Samoa are in their maiden semifinal, a major moment for the women's game.

Here is when the women's Rugby League World Cup semifinal between New Zealand and Samoa will begin in each Australian state and territory, and each country in the tournament.

• 5:45pm AEDT: NSW, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania
• 5:15pm ACDT: South Australia
• 4:45pm AEST: Queensland, PNG
• 4:15pm ACST: Northern Territory
• 2:45pm AWST: Western Australia
• 6:45pm FJT: Fiji
• 7:45pm NZDT: New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa
• 8:45pm CKT: Cook Islands
• 2:44am GMT: United Kingdom
• 3:45am CET: France
• 4:45am EET: Lebanon

The rugby league world lost one of it's great people this week.

Paul Langmack, a man who won three premierships with Canterbury in the 1980s, and dedicated so much time in later years to running mental health programs, died this week aged 61.

Samoa had to make a change after in-form winger Freedom Crichton Ropati suffered an ankle injury last week against England. Anastasia Leatupue (19) comes on to the wing, while Fanua Rimoni starts at lock and  Tavarna Papalii moves to the bench.

Despite the underdog status (and a win today would be MASSIVE), Fetu Samoa boasts plenty of talent who have played at the highest level.

Ivana Lolesio knows all about State of Origin with Queensland, Annetta Nuuausala has been in a Test arena for nearly a decade (starting with New Zealand), while players like Destiny Mino-Sinapati (Titans) and Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Knights) were big reasons their clubs played NRLW finals this season.

Backs

• 1 Destiny Mino-Sinapati x
• 2 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala x
• 3 Monica Tagoai x
• 4 Tyra Ekepati
• 19 Anastasia Leatupue
• 6 Evania Isa'ako x
• 7 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale

Forwards

• 8 Annetta Nuuausala cc
• 9 Mary-Jane Taito
• 10 Laikha Clarke
• 11 Leilani Wilson 
• 12 Ivana Lolesio 
• 13 Fanua Rimoni

Interchange

• 14 Tavarna Papalii
• 15 Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa
• 16 Jasmine Fogavini
• 17 Christian Pio

Reserve

• 18 Jaydika Tafua

New Zealand are as advertised earlier in the week.

This is a proper side filled with class, and likely the only nation that could realistically challenge the Jillaroos for this year's tite.

Halfback Raecene McGregor is a terrific game-manager, while powerhouse centre Mele Hufanga is a good a ball runner as there is in footy.

Hooker Georgia Hale is a born leader who will organise the team from dummy-half.

Backs

• 1 Apii Nicholls
• 2 Leianne Tufuga
• 3 Mele Hufanga
• 4 Stacey Waaka
• 5 Mackenzie Wiki
• 6 Chantay Kiria-Ratu
• 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

• 8 Alexis Tauaneai
• 9 Georgia Hale
• 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

Saturday, November 7 at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium

• Women's: New Zealand Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa from 5:45pm AEDT
• Men's: New Zealand Kiwis vs Mate Ma'a Tonga from 8:05pm AEDT

Sunday, November 8 at the Sydney Football Stadium

• Women's: Australia Jillaroos vs Fiji Bulikula from 5:45pm AEDT
• Men's: Australia Kangaroos vs Toa Samoa from 8:05pm AEDT

G'day.

Welcome back to ABC Sport's live digital coverage of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

We have reached the semifinals, and today, one nation in the men's and women's tournaments will book their spot in next Sunday's final.

In the first women's semifinal, New Zealand faces Samoa, followed by a blockbuster men's semi — New Zealand vs Tonga.

Join us throughout the afternoon and evening as we bring you all of the action from Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.