Australia 44–12 Samoa: Walsh's hat-trick sends the Kangaroos into a World Cup final against New Zealand

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Australia beat Samoa 44–12 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, on Sunday 8 November 2026 in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final, before a crowd of 41,259. Australia's tries: Tom Dearden, Jacob Preston, Tom Trbojevic, Reece Walsh (3), Bradman Best and Jack Bostock, with Cameron Munster kicking six goals; the Kangaroos led 26–2 at half-time. Samoa's points came from a Stephen Crichton penalty and converted try and an Izack Tago try. Reece Walsh scored his first international hat-trick. He crossed first about two minutes after Crichton's would-be try was disallowed, celebrated with a backflip, then dropped a high kick early in the second half to gift Crichton Samoa's first try — and scored his second three minutes later, off a Harry Grant short ball, before completing the hat-trick by finishing a team move that started in Australia's own half. Samoa had two tries disallowed: on the half-hour, the bunker ruled Francis Manuleleua had knocked on contesting a Jarome Luai bomb with Walsh, wiping out Crichton's dive-over; later, a further Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow score was also ruled out. Spencer Leniu was sin-binned for dissent in the 39th minute, after Best's try. The win sends Australia into the final at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Sunday 15 November against New Zealand, who beat Tonga 34–10 in the first semi-final — a repeat of the 2013, 2008 and 2000 finals and of the two sides' opening-round meeting. Australia are chasing a fourth consecutive World Cup crown, having won the past three tournaments.