Samoa reach first Women's Rugby League World Cup semi-final with 24-6 win over England
A hat-trick from Freedom Crichton Ropati took Samoa through in Wollongong.
Samoa are through to a Women's Rugby League World Cup semi-final for the first time after beating England 24-6 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Friday. England go out at the group stage, having reached the last four at every previous tournament.
This was a straight shootout for a semi-final place, and Samoa, playing their first Women's World Cup since 2008, led 12-0 at half-time. Freedom Crichton Ropati scored all three of their first-half tries.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala added a fourth soon after the restart. England replied through Evie Cousins, with Isabel Rowe adding the goal, before Pauline Piliae-Rasabale kicked a penalty and Fanua Rimoni scored Samoa's fifth try.
Samoa now play the Group B winners in the semi-finals in Newcastle, Australia, on 7 November.
