Australia Dominates Samoa 44-12 to Reach World Cup Final
The Kangaroos secure their spot in the Rugby League World Cup final with a decisive victory over Samoa, highlighted by Reece Walsh's hat-trick.
In a commanding performance at Allianz Stadium, Australia triumphed over Samoa with a score of 44-12, earning their place in the Rugby League World Cup final for the 16th consecutive time. This semi-final clash, held on Sunday, sets the stage for a championship rematch against New Zealand next weekend in Brisbane.
Walsh Shines with a Hat-Trick
Fullback Reece Walsh stole the spotlight, scoring three of Australia’s eight tries and celebrating his first with an impressive backflip. His contributions were complemented by six successful conversions from Cameron Munster. Samoa managed two tries, scored by Stephen Crichton and Izack Tago, amidst a series of mistakes and penalties.
Course Set for the Final
The Kangaroos will face New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday, November 15, with kickoff scheduled for 6:35 p.m. local time. New Zealand advanced to the final after defeating Tonga 34-10 in the semi-finals, having previously lost to Australia 24-22 in the tournament opener.
Match Overview
Australia built a commanding lead, ending the first half at 26-2, with tries from Tom Dearden, Jacob Preston, Tom Trbojevic, Walsh, and Bradman Best. Late in the game, Jack Bostock added another try, bringing the total to eight.
Walsh acknowledged the atmosphere, saying, "It was a crazy atmosphere. The Samoa fans really came out, but all credit to the Aussie boys. It’s good fun when the crowd is engaged." He admitted he was motivated to perform the backflip by children at the team hotel who had encouraged him to do so, adding, "I thought I might as well put on a show."
Coaches’ Insights
Australia's coach, Kevin Walters, praised Walsh's unique celebration. "That's just Reece. He always brings something unexpected. The backflip was impressive, especially for the kids," he shared.
Captain Isaah Yeo commented on the team's strong start, noting, "There was a lot of emotion at the start of the game. We played our best opening yet in this tournament." He added the conditions were challenging, but Australia’s stars were able to shine through.
Samoa's Reflection
Samoa's coach, Ben Gardiner, responded briefly regarding officiating during the match, stating, "You guys saw the game. You report on it." He did mention that his team's discipline faltered due to the penalties awarded against them.
Despite mixed results in the group stage, including a close loss to Tonga, Samoa made it to the semi-finals. This exit marks another disappointing finish for Samoa after losing to Australia in the previous World Cup final.
A Look Ahead
This upcoming final will be the first time Australia and New Zealand have met for the World Cup title since 2013, where the Kangaroos emerged victorious 34-12. Hoping to secure their fourth consecutive title, Australia has not lost a World Cup match since falling to New Zealand in the 2008 final.
The women’s final will also take place on the same day, with the Jillaroos defeating Fiji 30-14 to secure their spot against New Zealand.
As Australia prepares for the final, the focus will remain on team performance, rather than individual matchups. With a week to go, the team looks forward to the challenge of facing a formidable New Zealand side.