NEW Zealand have never failed to qualify for the women’s World Cup final and it’s not happening this year either.
The Kiwi Ferns had a fight on their hands for much of their semi-final against Samoa at McDonald Jones Stadium – but put their feet down in the final 15 minutes with tries to Mele Haufaga, Kaiya Atai, Stacey Waaka and Raecene McGregor.
The final 32-0 scoreline was not reflective of the match, however.
While the Kiwi Ferns were overwhelming favourites and both sides made a slew of errors early, Fetu Samoa were well in the game at halftime – down 8-0.
The first try came after one of those Samoa errors, the Kiwis finding an overlap on thr right and winger McKenzie Wiki – daughter of Ruben – diving over.
The second touchdown came 10 minutes before halftime, Stacey Waaka benefiting from a dream bounce after a little dab into the Samoan in-goal.
Shortly before that score, a storm swept in from the south and the goalposts began to shake.
Chantay Kiria-Ratu missed both her first half shots at goal.
Teams:
NEW ZEALAND: Apii Nicholls (NZ Warriors); Leianne Tufuga (Canberra), Mele Hufanga (NZ Warriors), Stacey Waaka (NZ Warriors), Mackenzie Wiki (Canberra); Chantay Kiria-Ratu (Cronulla), Raecene McGregor (co-capt, Wests Tigers); Alexis Tauaneai (Canterbury), Georgia Hale (co-capt, Gold Coast), Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters), Shaniece Monschau (Wests Tigers), Kaiyah Atai (NZ Warriors), Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa (Canterbury).
Reserves: Ashleigh Quinlan (Canterbury), Annessa Biddle (Cronulla), Shannon Mato (Brisbane), Ivana Lauitiiti (NZ Warriors), Brooke Anderson (St George Illawarra), Brianna Clark (Brisbane), Zahara Temara (Canberra), Abigail Roache (North Queensland), Tenika Willison (Newcastle).
SAMOA: Destiny Mino-Sinapati (Gold Coast); Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Newcastle), Monica Tagoai (Canterbury), Tyra Ekepati (St George Illawarra), Anastasia Leatupue; Evania Isa’ako (capt, Gold Coast), Pauline Piliae-Rasabale (Gold Coast); Annetta Nuuausala (NZ Warriors, co-capt), Mary-Jane Taito (Canterbury), Laikha Clarke (Gold Coast), Leilani Wilson (Canterbury), Ivana Lolesio (Gold Coast), Fanua Rimoni (Gold Coast)
Reserves: Tavarna Papalii (Brisbane), Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa (NZ Warriors), Jasmine Fogavini (Gold Coast), Christian Pio (Wests Tigers), Jaydika Tafua (Cronulla), Evelyn Roberts (Canterbury), Jetaya Faifua (Wests Tigers), Amanii Misa (North Queensland).
Referee: Tara Jones.
