Kiwi Ferns and Fetu Samoa Name Sides for Historic Semi-Final

New Zealand and Samoa have named their sides for Saturday's women's Rugby League World Cup semi-final at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, a match that carries historic weight for both teams. The Kiwi Ferns welcome back Mele Hufanga at centre after she was rested last week, while five-eighth Chantay Kiria-Ratu is also back on deck. Otesa Pule has been named to start at prop, with Shannon Mato moving to the bench, as New Zealand look to build on a group stage that ended with a scare against Papua New Guinea before five second-half tries secured a 40-12 win. For Fetu Samoa, the occasion could hardly be bigger: this is their first-ever World Cup semi-final, earned with a 24-6 victory over England in Wollongong. Coach's only change to the starting side sees Fanua Rimoni come in at lock, with Tavarna Papalii moving to the bench. Samoa's rise through this tournament has been one of its great stories, built on physicality, discipline and a belief that has grown with every game. The winners will advance to a final that few would have predicted at the start of the tournament, and for Samoa in particular, Saturday represents a chance to turn a breakthrough campaign into something truly historic. Kick-off is at 5:45pm AEDT.