Samoa promote Fanua Rimoni for first Women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final against New Zealand

Fanua Rimoni will start at loose forward as Samoa prepare for their first Women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Saturday.

Rimoni replaces Tavarna Papalii, who moves to the bench, in the only change to Samoa’s starting side following the victory over England that secured their place in the last four.

The match takes place at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on 7 November, with kick-off at 6.45am GMT.

Samoa team news: Rimoni rewarded after England victory

Rimoni made a significant contribution from the bench in Samoa’s 24-6 win over England, running for 132 metres from 13 carries and scoring a late try.

Her promotion is confirmed in the official World Cup semi-final team news, with Papalii retained among the interchange players.

Samoa earned their place in the knockout stage through a performance led by Freedom Crichton Ropati’s first-half hat-trick. Our England Women vs Samoa report covers the result that ended England’s campaign.

Nuuausala backs Samoa’s young players to handle the occasion

Samoa have reached the semi-finals on their first World Cup appearance since 2008, with several young players taking prominent roles.

Crichton Ropati is 18, while centre Tyra Ekepati is 19 and fellow winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala is 20. Co-captain Annetta Nuuausala believes they can cope with the pressure of facing the Kiwi Ferns.

“Not at all. They were born for moments like this,” she told NRL.com when asked whether New Zealand’s experience would intimidate Samoa’s younger players.

Nuuausala credited the newcomers’ maturity and willingness to learn, while experienced halfback Pauline Piliae-Rasabale stressed the importance of allowing them to enjoy the occasion.

New Zealand welcome back Hufanga and Kiria-Ratu

New Zealand strengthen their backline with the return of centre Mele Hufanga, who was rested for their final group match. Stand-off Chantay Kiria-Ratu also returns.

The Kiwi Ferns completed their group campaign with a 40-12 victory over Papua New Guinea, adding five second-half tries to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Samoa’s task is to carry the attacking threat they showed against England into a meeting with opponents who can punish mistakes across the field.

When is New Zealand Women vs Samoa Women?

Detail	Information
Match	New Zealand Women vs Samoa Women
Competition	Women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final
Date	Saturday 7 November 2026
Venue	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
UK kick-off	6.45am GMT
Local kick-off	5.45pm AEDT

The match opens a Newcastle double-header, with New Zealand facing Tonga in the men’s semi-final later that day. Australia and Fiji contest the other women’s semi-final in Sydney on Sunday.