Skip to content
Back to the daily read

Daily Read: Sports & Health

Kiwis, Kiwi Ferns Announce Line‑ups for World Cup Semis

The New Zealand men's and women's rugby league teams have named their squads for the Rugby League World Cup semi‑finals, with Kalyn Ponga returning to the Kiwis after a broken‑arm injury. Ponga, who missed the opening match against Australia, is expected to start against Tonga in the men’s semi‑final at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night. The squad also includes Phoenix Crossland, who will replace the suspended Jacob Laban, and Charnze Nicoll‑Klokstad, who steps in for the banned Ronaldo Mulitalo. On the women’s side, coach Ricky Henry has assembled a side featuring the returning Warriors centre Mele Hufanga and the powerful ball‑carrier Leianne Tufuga. The Kiwi Ferns will face Fetu Samoa, who have won their last two pool matches and are seen as a formidable opponent. Henry praised Hufanga’s “big game” performance and highlighted the partnership of Stacey Waaka and Mackenzie Wiki on the right edge. Both squads will play at McDonald Jones Stadium, with the men’s match at 10:05 pm and the women’s at 7:45 pm. The outcomes will determine which teams advance to the final and secure a place in the “big dance”.

· rnz.co.nz

The essential points

  1. 01Kalyn Ponga returns to the Kiwis after a broken arm, set to start against Tonga in the semi‑final.
  2. 02Phoenix Crossland and Charnze Nicoll‑Klokstad fill gaps left by suspension and ban, strengthening the Kiwis’ lineup.
  3. 03Kiwi Ferns name Mele Hufanga and Leianne Tufuga in the starting line‑up, aiming to counter Fetu Samoa’s recent form.
  4. 04Both semi‑finals will be played at McDonald Jones Stadium, with the men’s match at 10:05 pm and the women’s at 7:45 pm.
The full brief

The New Zealand men's and women's rugby league teams have named their squads for the Rugby League World Cup semi‑finals, with Kalyn Ponga returning to the Kiwis after a broken‑arm injury. Ponga, who missed the opening match against Australia, is expected to start against Tonga in the men’s semi‑final at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night. The squad also includes Phoenix Crossland, who will replace the suspended Jacob Laban, and Charnze Nicoll‑Klokstad, who steps in for the banned Ronaldo Mulitalo.

On the women’s side, coach Ricky Henry has assembled a side featuring the returning Warriors centre Mele Hufanga and the powerful ball‑carrier Leianne Tufuga. The Kiwi Ferns will face Fetu Samoa, who have won their last two pool matches and are seen as a formidable opponent. Henry praised Hufanga’s “big game” performance and highlighted the partnership of Stacey Waaka and Mackenzie Wiki on the right edge.

Both squads will play at McDonald Jones Stadium, with the men’s match at 10:05 pm and the women’s at 7:45 pm. The outcomes will determine which teams advance to the final and secure a place in the “big dance”.