New Zealand will look to secure their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 IRL Women’s Rugby League World Cup when they face Papua New Guinea at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Having won both of their opening games against Fiji and France, New Zealand know a draw would be enough to guarantee their progression.
Papua New Guinea, meanwhile, must win to keep their hopes alive. However, sitting 80 points behind New Zealand on points difference, victory alone may not be enough. They also need France to beat Fiji, who currently sit second in the group, to stand a chance of progressing.
New Zealand have made several changes for the clash against Papua New Guinea. In come Leianne Tufuga, Abigail Roche and Zahara Temara to start, whilst Papua New Guinea make one change to their starting thirteen as India Seeta comes in to replace Belinda Gwasamun in the forwards.
New Zealand (squad): Apii Nicholls, Leianne TUFUGA, Abigail Roache, Stacey WAAKA, Mackenzie WIKI, Zahara TEMARA, Raecene McGregor, Alexis TAUANEAI, Georgia Hale, Shannon Lorraine MATO, Shaniece MONSCHAU, Kaiyah ATAI, Angelina TEAKARAANGA KATOA, Ashleigh Quinlan, Otesa PULE, Brooke ANDERSON, Ivana LAUITITI, Tenika WILLISON, Brianna Clark, Chanty KIRIA-RATU, Trinity TAUANEAI, Nessa BIDDLE
Papua New Guinea (squad): Anika BUTLER, Ivania WONG, Relna WURIKI-HOSEA, Tia MOLO, Naomi KELLY, Fleur GINN, Cynthia PETERS, Elsie ALBERT, Ua RAVU, Jenny DAVID, Emily VEIVERS, Shellie LONG, India SEETO, Therese AITON, Essay BANU, Venesa NAKAS, Mala MARK, Mya MULLER, Josephine HOWARD, Lila MALABAG, Jafinda SAP, Gemma SCHNAUBELT
