New Zealand crush Fiji 78–0 to reach Rugby League World Cup semi-finals
New Zealand have reached the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup after crushing Fiji 78–0 at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on Saturday, 31 October.
The Kiwis scored 13 tries and did not concede one. They led 24–0 after only 13 minutes, with Jahrome Hughes scoring from their first set of the match, and were 48–0 ahead at half-time. Centre Casey McLean scored four tries, fullback Keano Kini scored two, and winger Jamayne Isaako kicked all 13 conversions. Hughes, Dane Gagai, captain James Fisher-Harris, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Xavier Willison, Briton Nikora and Erin Clark scored the other tries.
The match was a winner-takes-all contest for a semi-final place, and Fiji had pushed defending champions Australia close the week before. But Fiji lost captain Api Koroisau early in the match to a suspected facial fracture, and he was taken to hospital. Semi Valemei also left the field with a head knock in the first half.
Tempers flared in the 52nd minute, when Mulitalo made high contact with Fiji winger Ronald Philitoga. Fiji halfback Brandon Wakeham punched Mulitalo in the head during the row that followed, and both players were sent off. New Zealand still scored five more tries with both sides down to 12 men. Mulitalo now faces a wait for the judiciary’s decision on Sunday, and a ban could end his tournament.
Why it matters
The win was a warning to New Zealand’s rivals. The Kiwis are chasing their first World Cup title since 2008, and they did this without star fullback Kalyn Ponga, who broke his arm in the opening match against Australia on 15 October. McLean now has 15 tries in seven Tests, and Kini ran for 260 metres against Fiji, with Hughes setting up three tries.
What happens next
New Zealand will play in the semi-finals next weekend against the winner of Sunday’s match between Samoa and Tonga. Ponga has returned to training and could feature in that game, coach Stacey Jones said. Australia, the hosts and defending champions, are already through to the other semi-final.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://www.nrl.com/news/2026/10/31/kiwis-run-riot-as-two-sent-off-on-gold-coast/ (NRL, 31 October 2026)
- https://aapnews.aap.com.au/news/nz-seal-world-cup-semi-in-big-and-fiery-win-over-fiji (AAP, 31 October 2026)
- https://thesportingbase.com/new-zealand-fiji-78-0-mulitalo-wakeham-sent-off/ (The Sporting Base, 1 November 2026)
