New Zealand Beats Fiji 78–0 to Reach Rugby League World Cup Semifinals

New Zealand beat Fiji 78–0 at Cbus Super Stadium on Australia's Gold Coast on October 31 to secure a place in the men's Rugby League World Cup semifinals. The Kiwis scored 13 tries and led 48–0 at halftime, but the match also brought injuries and two dismissals. Fullback Keano Kini scored New Zealand's opening and closing tries and finished with 260 running metres and seven tackle breaks. Centre Casey McLean crossed for four tries, taking his international tally to 15 tries in seven Tests. Jahrome Hughes supplied three try assists in the victory. In the 52nd minute, New Zealand winger Ronaldo Mulitalo made high contact with Fiji's Ronald Philitoga after rushing in from his wing. Philitoga could not continue. Fiji halfback Brandon Wakeham then approached Mulitalo and threw a punch, and both men were sent off. Fiji had already lost Api Koroisau to a jaw injury and Semi Valemei following a head knock in the first half. New Zealand added five tries with both sides reduced to 12 players. Captain James Fisher-Harris scored his first Test try since the 2023 Pacific Championships against Samoa, gathering a Mulitalo tap-back from a Hughes kick. New Zealand is chasing its first World Cup title since 2008. Mulitalo must await Sunday's judiciary charges before his availability for the knockout phase becomes clear.