A Stacey Waaka hat-trick has sent Kiwi Ferns to reach the Women’s Rugby League World Cup final in their 32-0 win over Fetu Samoa in Newcastle.
Dual international Kiwi centre Waaka made the most of her chances, setting up New Zealand’s early first try, before securing three of her own.
With her hat trick, it took Waaka nine tries for the campaign run, level with Aussie winger Jaime Chapman at the top of the try-scoring charts.
The Kiwi Ferns scored first within the first two minutes of the match on Saturday afternoon, taking advantage of a mistake by Samoa to send winger Mackenze Wiki over out wide.
The Kiwis while fending off a five-minute assault at their try-line, NZ would catch Samoa napping soon after when Waaka secured her first four-pointer.
The Kiwis stretched their lead to 14 five minutes into the second half, when another McGregor kick landed at the right spot for Waaka’s second try of the game.
The Kiwis’ star centre Waaka, brought up her her hat-trick during a late flurry of New Zealand points, with McGregor, centre Mele Hufanga and back-rower Kaiyah Atai chipping in on the tryscorers list in the final 12 minutes.
The Kiwis will face the winner of Sunday afternoon’s semi-final clash between Australia and Fiji in Brisbane next weekend.
