The facts

  1. New Zealand’s men beat Tonga 34–10 on 7 November to reach their first Rugby League World Cup final since 2013. [1][3][5]

  2. New Zealand’s women beat Samoa 32–0 on 7 November and reached a seventh consecutive World Cup final. [2][4]

  3. Australia beat Samoa 44–12 in the men’s semi-final on 8 November; Reuters reported that Reece Walsh scored a hat-trick. [6][7]

  4. Australia beat Fiji 30–14 in the women’s semi-final on 8 November, with Abbi Church scoring four tries. [8][9]

  5. The men’s and women’s finals are both scheduled for 15 November, with Australia facing New Zealand in each. [7][8][9]

Still unconfirmed

  • The opened sources did not establish the kick-off times for the 15 November finals.

Corrections & updates

Update: Australia’s 8 November men’s and women’s semi-final victories set up both World Cup finals against New Zealand on 15 November. Added both scores and the official match details; kick-off times remain unknown.

Sources

References support the numbered facts above. Source checks: 8 Nov 2026, 12:42 UTC.

The International Rugby League records the women’s semi-final result and scorers; the NRL’s official tournament report records the men’s final score and both Australia–New Zealand final pairings. Reuters and The Guardian independently report the corresponding semi-final results and final berths. The previously published New Zealand semi-final facts and source history are retained.

  1. Men’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final: New Zealand v Tonga

    International Rugby League · Primary source · 7 Nov 2026

    Official match record lists the 34–10 final score, date and McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

  2. Women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final: New Zealand v Samoa

    International Rugby League · Primary source · 7 Nov 2026

    Official match record lists the 32–0 final score, date, venue and Waaka’s three tries.

  3. New Zealand down spirited Tonga to reach Rugby League World Cup final

    The Guardian · Reporting · 7 Nov 2026

    Independent report confirms the score, first final since 2013 and the possible men’s opponents.

  4. New Zealand reach Women’s Rugby League World Cup final as Waaka hat-trick sinks Samoa

    The Guardian (Australian Associated Press) · Reporting · 7 Nov 2026

    The Guardian page credits Australian Associated Press; it confirms the score, Waaka hat-trick, seventh successive final and possible women’s opponents.

  5. Rugby league-Ponga returns to help New Zealand beat Tonga and reach World Cup final

    Reuters · Reporting · 7 Nov 2026

    Independent Reuters report confirms the men’s score and final berth; it is not used for the women’s result.

  6. Rugby league-Australia thrash Samoa to set up World Cup final against NZ

    Reuters · Reporting · 8 Nov 2026

    Independent report confirms the 44–12 men’s semi-final result, Reece Walsh hat-trick and Australia–New Zealand final.

  7. Clinical Kangaroos sink Samoa to storm into Cup final

    National Rugby League · Primary source · 8 Nov 2026

    Official NRL report gives the men’s 44–12 result and says both the men’s and women’s finals will pair Australia with New Zealand on 15 November.

  8. Women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final: Australia v Fiji

    International Rugby League · Primary source · 8 Nov 2026

    Official match record lists the 30–14 final score, the 8 November date and Abbi Church’s four tries; the match report identifies New Zealand as Australia’s final opponent.

  9. Abbi Church powers Australia to win over spirited Fiji as hosts reach Women’s Rugby League World Cup final

    The Guardian · Reporting · 8 Nov 2026

    Independent report confirms the 30–14 result, Church’s four tries and the Australia–New Zealand final.

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