Two Semi-Finals, One Proud Nation: Samoa's Rugby League World Cup Weekend

Talofa lava, aiga! This weekend is one our community will talk about for years. For the first time, both of Samoa's national teams are in a Rugby League World Cup semi-final in the same weekend. Fetū Samoa face the Kiwi Ferns in Newcastle on Saturday, and Toa Samoa take on the Australian Kangaroos in Sydney on Sunday. Here's everything you need, plus the history that brought us here.

This weekend's semi-finals: times and venues

Sunday is a double-header at Allianz Stadium, with the Jillaroos playing Fiji in the women's semi-final at 5:45pm before the Kangaroos and Toa Samoa (NRL.com). Tickets and the full draw are on the official RLWC 2026 site. In Australia, the tournament is broadcast on Seven and 7plus (NRL.com).

Fetū Samoa: an 18-year wait, ending in history

Before this tournament, Fetū Samoa had last played at a Women's World Cup in 2008. This year they've made the most of their return. After a tough 40-0 opening loss to the Jillaroos, they beat Wales 76-0, the biggest win in their history (AAP).

Then came the night at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on 30 October. Teenage winger Freedom Crichton Ropati scored a first-half hat-trick, and Samoa beat England 24-6 to reach their first-ever World Cup semi-final (NRL.com). It was also Samoa's first win over England.

Coached by former Toa Samoa captain Frank Pritchard, and led by co-captains Annetta Nu'uausala and Evania Isa'ako (Toa Samoa RL), the Fetū now meet a Kiwi Ferns side that beat them only 22-20 at last year's Pacific Championships (NZRL). Against England, centre Monica Tagoai ran 182 metres with nine tackle breaks, fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati ran 191 metres, and replacement Fanua Rimoni came off the bench to score the try that sealed the win. Rimoni starts at lock in the semi-final. See the semi-final team lists on NRL.com.

Toa Samoa: from Swansea 1995 to Old Trafford 2022

Samoa, then playing as Western Samoa, first played international rugby league in 1986 and won the Pacific Cup in 1990 and 1992. Their first World Cup came in 1995: a 56-10 win over France, then a brutal 22-10 loss to Wales in front of more than 15,000 people at Swansea's Vetch Field, a game ABC Pacific calls one of the toughest in World Cup history.

Quarter-finals followed in 2000, 2013 and 2017 (Rugby League Project). Then came 2022. After losing 60-6 to England in the opener, Toa Samoa beat Greece and France, edged Tonga 20-18 in the quarter-final (NRL.com), and beat England 27-26 in golden point at London's Emirates Stadium. Stephen Crichton's long-range intercept try and his winning field goal are moments every Samoan fan remembers.

In the final at Old Trafford, Samoa lost 30-10 to Australia in front of 67,502 people, most of them cheering for Samoa (NRL.com). It was Samoa's first World Cup final, and Samoa became only the sixth nation to reach one. Just as important was what that run did off the field. Players spoke afterwards about the legacy they had built and their wish to play more Test matches for Samoa. A generation of NRL stars had chosen the blue jersey, and young players watching at home saw that choosing Samoa could mean playing on the biggest stage.

RLWC 2026 so far for Toa Samoa

This campaign started with a record: a 78-4 win over France at Parramatta, Samoa's biggest win ever, followed by 64-6 against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. The last group game was a classic against Tonga in front of a record 29,411 at CommBank Stadium. Samoa scored four tries to three, but Tonga won 20-18 (NRL.com).

Now comes the rematch of the 2022 final. Coach Ben Gardiner's side, captained by Jarome Luai and Junior Paulo, includes Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Izack Tago and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Wikipedia squad list). Australia have won all five of their previous meetings with Samoa, so a win on Sunday would be historic. Samoa have shown all tournament that they can score points: they piled up 142 points in their first two games and scored four tries against Tonga. With a home crowd in Sydney full of blue jerseys, the boys won't feel like they're playing away.

More than a game for our community

For Samoan and Pacific families in Sydney and across Australia, rugby league is part of Sunday, part of church, and part of family. Many of the players in both squads grew up in our communities and play in the NRL and NRLW every week. When they perform the Siva Tau, they carry the fa'a Samoa onto the field for all of us. Saturday night in Newcastle, our daughters, sisters and aunties get their turn on the world stage. On Sunday in Sydney, the men go after a second World Cup final. Whatever the results, this is the first weekend that both Samoan teams have been among the world's best four at the same time. This weekend, wear blue, fly the flag and support both teams.

Listen live on Samoa FM

Can't get to Newcastle or Allianz? Air Media Samoa has the build-up, community reaction and post-match talk all weekend on Samoa FM. [Listen live at samairmedialive.com/SamoaFM](https://samairmedialive.com/SamoaFM), in Sydney, in Apia or anywhere in the world. Manuia Fetū Samoa! Manuia Toa Samoa!