The Kangaroos are firmly in control of their Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Samoa at Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday evening, running in four tries in an emphatic first-half display that has left the Pacific nation with a mountain to climb. Australia's clinical attack and Samoa's self-inflicted errors have combined to produce one-sided football, with the hosts leading 16-2 at the break after a commanding 40 minutes.
Kangaroos Run Riot in Opening Half
Australia's first try came from halfback Tom Dearden, who sliced straight through on the first tackle from a scrum to score with minimal resistance. Poor defensive alignment from lock Francis Manuleleua and hooker Jazz Tevaga was brutally exposed, and Dearden needed no second invitation.
Reece Walsh added the second, producing a moment of individual brilliance. After almost sending Kotoni Staggs over on the right, Walsh found space on the opposite flank, took the ball at pace, froze Stephen Crichton in the defensive line and dived over in the corner. The fullback celebrated with a backflip, brimming with confidence and proving impossible to contain across the full width of the field.
The third try came through Tom Trbojevic, who benefited from a sweeping shift that gave Australia the numbers out wide. Jermaine McEwen made a try-saving tackle on Bradman Best on the left, but that only forced the Kangaroos to move the ball to the other side of the field, where crisp passing and bodies in motion found Trbojevic with space to finish. Cameron Munster, not known for his goal-kicking, struggled with a stiff breeze and hooked the conversion.
The fourth try went to Jacob Preston, with Jazz Tevaga singled out again as the chief defensive culprit. The 31-year-old Wakefield Trinity forward, promoted into the starting side, was unable to stop Preston from finishing after Cameron Murray made something from nothing, sprinting wide, hitting and spinning and finding Preston at speed. Preston's footwork then set up Bradman Best for his first Test try shortly after, as Spencer Leniu gifted the Kangaroos yet another set deep in Samoan territory with a needless six-again infringement.
Samoa Undone by Errors and Ill Discipline
Samoa's night has been a catalogue of costly mistakes. Spencer Leniu knocked on early in the tackle count off a Pat Carrigan tackle, handing Australia immediate attacking possession. Tevaga has been repeatedly exposed in defence, and the team's inability to hold onto the ball at crucial moments has allowed Australia to pile on the pressure relentlessly.
Samoa did have a moment that briefly threatened to change the momentum. A perfectly weighted bomb from Jarome Luai found Francis Manuleleua in the air alongside Walsh, who dropped the ball into the waiting hands of Stephen Crichton, who appeared to score. However, the bunker official took a close look and, after clearing an offside against Manuleleua, found a knock-on in the aerial contest. The try was rightly disallowed, to the visible frustration of Samoa's fans in the stands.
A physical altercation added further heat to proceedings midway through the first half. Jack Bostock charged back into Jarome Luai and Jermaine McEwen, with Luai lifting the legs and Bostock's head hitting the turf hard after a dangerous tackle. Walsh was quickly on the scene to pull players apart, and several spot fires broke out across the field, including Bostock throwing the ball at Sua Fa'alogo. Referee Adam Gee awarded a penalty to Australia and kept all players on the field.
Samoa's only reward from the first half came via a penalty goal to Stephen Crichton, kicked from directly in front, which opened their account to make it 16-2 at the interval. It was a meagre return given the opportunities that poor Australian defence might have offered a sharper side. Samoa had survived an earlier scare in this tournament to reach the semi-finals, but are struggling to replicate that resilience here.
Jillaroos Secure Fifth Straight World Cup Final Berth
Earlier at the same venue, the Jillaroos survived an almighty first-half scare before defeating Fiji 30-14 to book a fifth consecutive Rugby League World Cup final appearance. Tournament debutants Fiji raced out to an 8-0 lead and had the world champions rattled, but Australia steadied at half-time and surged clear in the second half.
Winger Abbi Church was the standout performer, crossing for four tries as the Jillaroos asserted their class in the second period. Australia will now face New Zealand in next Sunday's final at Lang Park in Brisbane, with the Kiwi Ferns providing the opposition for what promises to be a compelling decider.
Fiji captain Sereana Naitokatoka was proud of her side's effort despite the defeat, noting the hard work her players had put in from the opening minute. The Fijians' run to the semi-finals has been one of the great stories of this tournament.
What's Next for Australia
With the Kangaroos in commanding form against Samoa and the Jillaroos already through, Australia is on track for a remarkable double at this Rugby League World Cup. The Kangaroos have shown they can be tested in this tournament, but Sunday's performance is a statement of intent. If they maintain this level against Samoa in the second half, a World Cup final appearance is assured, setting up a potential showpiece decider against the winner of the other semi-final.
