One New Zealand Warriors centre Mele Hufanga returns for the Kiwi Ferns’ Rugby League World Cup semifinal against Fetu Samoa at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday (5.45pm kick-off local time; 7.45pm NZT).
She rejoins clubmate Stacey Waaka in the centres after missing the win over the Papua New Guinea Orchids in the Ferns’ last pool game.
“Mele is a big game player. She has proven time and time again that when she puts on the black jersey, she grows another leg,” said Kiwi Ferns head coach Ricky Henry.
Hufanga and Leianne Tufuga combine on the left side while Waaka and Mackenzie Wiki provides plenty of strike power on the right. Waaka has scored six tries in the three pool games while Wiki has four in the two games she has played.
All five Warriors players will line up in the semifinal with Kaiyah Atai again starting in the second row and the imposing Ivana Lauitiiti on the bench.
Two One New Zealand Warriors are in Samoa's side - captain Annetta Nuuausala starting at prop and second rower Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa on the bench.
The Ferns beat Fiji 18-12, France 92-0 and Papua New Guinea 40-12 to book their spot in the semifinals.
After losing 0-40 to the Jillaroos, Fetu Samoa swamped Wales 76-0 and then stunned England 24-6 to reach the World Cup semifinals for the first time.
2026 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL
1 Apii Nicholls
2 Leianne Tufuga
3 Mele Hufanga
4 Stacey Waaka
5 Mackenzie Wiki
6 Chantay Kiria-Ratu
7 Raecene McGregor (co-captain)
8 Alexis Tauaneai
9 Georgia Hale (co-captain)
10 Otesa Pule
11 Shaniece Monschau
12 Kaiyah Atai
13 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Interchange:
14 Ashleigh Quinlan
15 Annessa Biddle
16 Shannon Mato
17 Ivana Lauitiiti
18 Brooke Anderson
19 Brianna Clark
20 Zahara Temara
21 Abigail Roache
22 Tenika Willison
