Rugby League World Cup knockout stages continues on Saturday night (UK Time) with the huge Quarter Final 3 New Zealand v Fiji clash, where New Zealand can set up a big semi final match against Australia with a win over Fiji. But let’s not forget the last time these teams met in a Quarter Final of a World Cup, Fiji won 4-2. A scoreline that would delight a semi-casual soccer fan, but not a league enthusiast.
Our New Zealand v Fiji Match Centre has a preview, stats, team lists before the game and a summary of the match afterwards with thoughts and stats. More than you could ever need or want.
If you want more information on all the results from the Group Stages and beyond – follow this link here.
New Zealand v Fiji Match Summary
New Zealand have come from behind to defeat a determined Fiji in the third quarter final.
Fiji led 12-6 at the break and extended that just after the break for a 18-6 lead.
But New Zealand eventually came back and scored with a few minutes to go to steal the game 24-18.
New Zealand will now meet Australia in the semi final.
Full summary to come soon.
New Zealand v Fiji Match Final Score
NEW ZEALAND 24
Tries: Ronaldo Mulitalo 25′ Briton Nikora 48′ Joseph Manu 62′ Jordan Rapana 78′
Goals: Jordan Rapana 4/5
FIJI 18
Tries: Maika Sivo 11′ Kevin Naiqama 17′ Kevin Naiqama 43′
Goals: Brandon Wakeham
HALF TIME – Fiji 12-6
New Zealand v Fiji Match Stats
New Zealand v Fiji Teams
NEW ZEALAND
1 Joseph Manu
2 Ronaldo Mulitalo
4 Peta Hiku
21 CharnzeNicoll-Klokstad
5 Jordan Rapana
6 Dylan Brown
7 Jahrome Hughes
8 Jesse Bromwich
9 Brandon Smith
10 James Fisher-Harris
12 Kenneath Bromwich
16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
13 Joseph Tapine
11 Isaiah Papali’i
14 Kieran Foran
17 Briton Nikora
20 Isaac Liu
FIJI
1 Sunia Turuva
2 Maika Sivo
4 Kevin Naiqama
19 Semi Valemei
24 Vuate Karawalevu
9 Apisai Koroisau
7 Brandon Wakeham
3 Korbin Sims
14 Penioni Tagituimua
13 Tui Kamikamica
12 Viliame Kikau
22 Siua Wong
11 Taniela Sadrugu
10 Ben Nakubuwai
16 Lamar Manuel-Liolevave
17 King Vuniyayawa
20 Henry Raiwalui
New Zealand v Fiji Preview
A replay of the previous World Cup quarter final stage here where Fiji surprised the Kiwis with a 4-2 win, but we can’t see history repeating this time.
New Zealand have been almost quietly going about this World Cup. Comfortable wins without much hype. Even the 68-6 thrashing of Jamaica wasn’t met with the raised eyebrows of some of the other big wins.
That doesn’t mean that New Zealand have’t played well, Joey Manu has been on of the players of the tournament so far, and James Fisher-Harris continued his great form for Penrith for the Kiwis. Brandon Smith has found form for New Zealand that escapoed him for Melbourne at times during 2022, and Peter Hiku has also been great.
They will be deserved favourites for the game and should win.
Fiji made it through to the knockout stage and have been good without setting the world on fire. They were outclassed by Australia in their first game of the tournament without being embarrassed. They flogged a poor Italy in game two, and were given quite a test by Scotland, who up to that point had been outscored 112-4.
They have some good NRL talent in Maika Sivo, Tui Kamikamica and Kevin Naiqama, but they have probably all been outshone by fullback Sunia Turuva, who is a superstar in waiting. Although being a fullback at Penrith, they’ll be plenty of waiting.
And of course Viliame Kikau, who they will need peak Kikau form from if they are to get anywhere near the Kiwis.
We can’t see it happening, and see the Kiwis using this as a good warm up for the big semi final showdown with Australia.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jahrome Hughes was simply sensational in his first game of the tournament last time out against Ireland, one of the better individual performance so far. So he’ll be ready to rip through Fiji like he did Ireland. His 19 tackle breaks was a tournament high for a single match, made three line breaks and he also laid on three Try Assists and two Line Break Assists and scored two tries.
If Fiji are going to get close to New Zealand they need the big man Viliame Kikau to have a big game.
The battle of the fullbacks will also be a fascinating one. Joey Manu has been one of the players of the Rugby League World Cup so far, but Fiji’s Sunia Turuva has been outstanding as well. Manu is second for All Run Metres while Turuva is 4th. Turuva is 2nd for Post Contact Metres and Manu is 11th. Manu is 1st for Tackle Breaks with 38 and Turuva is 5th with 30. Big numbers, big excitement awaits watching these two artists attack the game.
PREDICTION
New Zealand 42 Fiji 6
New Zealand v Fiji RLWC2021 Stats So Far
