Australia 44 – 12 Samoa

Reece Walsh scores hat-trick as Kangaroos punish ill-discipline and errors from Samoa to run in eight tries and win 44-12 in Sydney; Samoa irritated by questionable refereeing decisions; Australia and New Zealand will also meet in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup final next weekend

Australia ran in eight tries as they beat Samoa

Australia are one win away from a record-extending 13th men’s Rugby League World Cup title after beating Samoa 44-12 in a fractious clash to secure a showdown with New Zealand in next weekend’s Brisbane final.

The Kangaroos, like their female counterparts, are pursuing a fourth consecutive title and if they do defeat their Antipodean rivals on November 15, they will earn a 10th World Cup triumph in their last 11 attempts, stretching back to 1975.

Sunday’s second semi-final – New Zealand defeated Tonga 34-10 in the first semi on Saturday – was a repeat of the World Cup final in 2022 at Old Trafford in Manchester, which Australia won 30-10 to land a third title in succession.

Samoa felt aggrieved by refereeing decisions during their defeat in Sydney

In the rematch in Sydney four years later – preceded by Samoa’s Siva Tau war dance in which Brian To’o put his forehead towards the face of Australia’s former Samoa prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – the away side were left fuming at some questionable refereeing calls.

Reece Walsh registered a hat-trick during Australia’s eight-try victory as they pounced on errors and ill-discipline from Samoa.

Tom Dearden breached the Samoa defence for the converted try that put Australia 6-2 up in the eighth minute after the tourists had gone 2-0 to the good following a fifth-minute penalty.

Australia never trailed after that, with Jacob Preston, Tom Trbojevic, Walsh and Bradman Best also crossing before half-time to give their side a 26-2 lead – Walsh doing so after a Samoa try was chalked off for an alleged knock-on – and Spencer Leniu sin-binned for their opponents after remonstrating with referee Adam Gee.

Early in the second period, an error from Walsh allowed Stephen Crichton to score for Samoa, only for Walsh to atone with his second try of the game, profiting from a mistake by Ronald Volkman.

Samoa did not wilt and got on the scoreboard again when Izack Tago touched down in the left corner but when Walsh sealed his hat-trick to leave the score 38-12 just shy of the 70-minute mark, the game was all but done.

Samoa had a second try of the night ruled out due to contact between Francis Manuleleua and Liam Martin, a decision that once again left them fuming, before Australia extended their lead when Jack Bostock rushed in down the left.

Cameron Munster chipped in with six conversions for Australia, who rallied from an underwhelming group-stage campaign.

The only side to deny Australia the title since they lost to Great Britain in the 1972 final are New Zealand, with the Kiwis winning 34-20 in the 2008 final in Brisbane.