Australia secured a place in the Rugby World Cup 13 semi-finals with a 36-22 victory over Fiji in a Group A match. Fiji had lost all five previous encounters against Australia with an aggregate score of 246-16.
Fiji led 16-12 at half-time, and Solomone Saukuru scored a try that appeared to extend the lead to 20-12. However, his attempt was disallowed for obstruction. Tom Trbojevic then scored a try to level the score, and subsequently crossed twice more for Australia. Jacob Preston added another try for Australia, while Semi Valemei completed his hat-trick for Fiji.
Kotoni Staggs opened the scoring for Australia on home soil. Sam Walker capped his debut with a try and 12 points from the boot. Australia allowed Taane Milne and Valemei to score tries, and provided two unimpressive performances in their wins against New Zealand and Fiji.
New Zealand will face Fiji in the final Group A match on Saturday, 31 October (04:30 GMT). New Zealand overcame an early scare in Christchurch to beat the Cook Islands 82-16. Jamayne Isaako scored a record 38 points for the Kiwis, and will join Melbourne Storm next season. New Zealand thus bounced back from their 24-22 defeat to Australia in the first round of Group A.
The Cook Islands came back from a 12-0 deficit to lead 16-12. Esom Ioka scored a hat-trick of tries. The Kiwis took control and led 36-16 at half-time. Isaako crossed three times in total, while Tanner Stowers-Smith, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Casey McLean each scored twice. Tries were converted by Scott Sorensen, Kodi Nikorima, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Keano Kini, who replaced injured star full-back Kalyn Ponga in the New Zealand lineup. Isaako collected 13 conversions, surpassing the previous record of 32 points in a single match set by Tasese Lavé against the same opponent in 2000.
The New Zealand women's team beat France 92-0 at the same stadium. Apii Nicholls scored four tries, while Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga each scored a hat-trick. Mackenzie Wiki, Raecene McGregor and Tenika Willison each crossed twice, while Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Kaiyah Atai also scored tries. The Kiwi Ferns thus defeated France in a match featuring 18 tries and beat France with an aggregate score of 236-0 in three World Cup matches.
New Zealand beat Fiji 18-12 in the first match. New Zealand will conclude their Group B campaign against Papua New Guinea on Saturday, 31 October (06:45 GMT). Ricky Henry's team is expected to face either Samoa or England in the semi-finals. Fiji play France in the remaining Group B match on Saturday, 31 October (02:20 GMT). The Rugby World Cup 13 runs from 15 October to 15 November, with Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand participating.
