Fiji and Samoa have created history by qualifying for the IRL Rugby League World Cup semi-finals for the first time after a record-breaking end to the group phase of the tournament.
Fetu Samoa booked their place in the knockout phase with a 24-6 victory over England in Wollongong on Friday night.
Frank Pritchard's side largely controlled the contest from the opening whistle, Freedom Crichton Ropati scoring a first half hat-trick as her side jumped out to a 12-0 lead.
England threatened to mount a comeback when Evie Cousins scored early in the second half but a late Fanua Rimoni try secured the victory for Samoa.
The focus then shifted to the Gold Coast on Saturday, with Fiji claiming a commanding 54-6 victory over France to secure a semi-final berth.
The Bulikula are playing in their First World Cup but have shown they won't take a backwards step throughout the group stage.
Winger Tahlia Marshall scored a double, while eight other players crossed the tryline in the comprehensive victory.
Freedom Crichton Ropati 2nd Try
Fiji will now play the Jillaroos in next Sunday's semi-final at Allianz Stadium.
New Zealand entered the weekend with one foot in the final four but were dealt a scare by Papua New Guinea at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Orchids led 12-10 after 22 minutes and had their sights on a boil over before the Kiwi Ferns found their rhythm.
Kaiyah Atai scored late to give her side a half-time lead and it acted as the circuit breaker New Zealand needed.
The Kiwi Ferns added five more tries after the break to secure a 40-12 victory and set up a semi-final against Samoa in Newcastle.
The Jillaroos closed out Week 3 of the Women's World Cup with a historic victory over Wales.
Australia ran in 21 tries to claim a 124-6 win at CommBank Stadium. The margin was the biggest in international rugby league history.
Jaime Chapman scored six tries, matching Julia Robinson's record for most in a Test match. Jess Sergis scored four tries, Tamika Upton, Abbi Church and Keilee Joseph all claimed doubles, while Jesse Southwell kicked 20 goals and scored a try for a personal points haul of 44.
There was a moment of joy for Wales, who did what England and Samoa were unable to do by scoring a try against the Jillaroos when Paige Travis crossed in the 60th minute.
Judiciary: Liv Wood (England) - Grade 1 Careless High Tackle
Early plea - Warning. Guilty at panel - 1-match ban.
Cristina Song Puche (France) - Grade 1 Dangerous Contact
Early plea - Warning. Guilty at panel - 1-match ban.
Tia Molo (PNG Orchids) - Grade 1 Contrary Conduct
Early plea - Warning. Guilty at panel - 1-match ban.
Essay Banu (PNG Orchids) - Grade 1 Careless High Tackle
Early plea - Warning. Guilty at panel - 1-match ban.
England v Samoa, Friday 5.45pm AEDT at WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Match: England v Samoa
Round 3 -
home Team
England
3rd Position
away Team
Samoa
2nd Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
England v Samoa - Round 3, 2026
Fiji v France, Saturday 1.20pm AEDT at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Match: Fiji v France
Round 3 -
home Team
Fiji
2nd Position
away Team
France
4th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Fiji v France – Round 3, 2026
New Zealand v PNG, Saturday 5.45pm AEDT at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Match: New Zealand v Papua New Guinea
Round 3 -
home Team
New Zealand
1st Position
away Team
Papua New Guinea
3rd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
New Zealand v Papua New Guinea – Round 3, 2026
Australia v Wales, Sunday 3.40pm AEDT at CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match: Australia v Wales
Round 3 -
home Team
Australia
1st Position
away Team
Wales
4th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Australia v Wales - Round 3, 2026