Bulikula Blast France 54-6 to Reach First World Cup Semi-Final

Fiji's Bulikula have stormed into the semi-finals at their first ever World Cup with a stunning 54-6 win over France at Cbus Super Stadium. The Bulikula led 20-0 at halftime, with Tahlia Marshall scoring twice before the break alongside tries from Maria Paseka, Aliti Namoce and Losana Lutu, and they never let France back into the contest. Cassie Staples extended the lead after the restart, and powerhouse forwards Latisha Smythe and Leilani Ahsam added tries in quick succession as Fiji's power and pace proved too much for a brave French side. The win sets up a semi-final against world champions Australia at Allianz Stadium next Sunday, a daunting but richly deserved reward for a team that pushed New Zealand to the limit in an 18-12 loss in week one before thrashing Papua New Guinea 40-4. For Fiji, competing in the tournament for the first time, reaching the last four is already a historic achievement, and they will head to Sydney believing they can trouble even the Jillaroos.