New Zealand Kiwi Ferns Come From Behind to Beat Fiji 18-12 in Rugby League World Cup Opener
NEWCASTLE — New Zealand's Kiwi Ferns opened their 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign with an 18-12 come-from-behind victory over a spirited Fiji Bulikula side making its World Cup debut, at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia, on October 18.
Stacey Waaka scored after two minutes to give New Zealand the early ascendancy, but Fiji recovered to dominate possession and field position. Losana Lutu crashed over in the 21st minute for the Bulikula's historic first World Cup try, and Sienna Laing extended the lead five minutes later to 12-4. Waaka's second try just before half-time kept New Zealand in touch, though the Ferns trailed at the interval against a team other than Australia for the first time in their World Cup history.
Fiji defended desperately in the second half despite injuries to Tamika Jones, Maria Paseka and Sienna Laing. The Kiwi Ferns settled for a Zehara Temara penalty goal to level the scores midway through the half, then took the lead with another two points inside the final 10 minutes after Fiji missed a penalty chance of their own. With three minutes remaining, Raecene McGregor's cross-field chip-kick landed in the arms of Leianne Tufuga for the match-sealing try. Fiji next face the Papua New Guinea Orchids in Port Moresby, while the Kiwi Ferns host France in Christchurch next weekend.
Sources: NRL.com; AAP
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: McDonald Jones 体育场（Newcastle）。Photo by Holdenman05, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
