The Fiji Bulikula stormed into their first Rugby League World Cup semifinal on Saturday afternoon, overwhelming France 54-6 at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast to write a new chapter in Pacific women's sport.
Hours later the mood among Fijian fans turned sour, as the New Zealand Kiwis dismantled the Fiji Bati men 78-0 in the same third round of World Cup fixtures, a result that ended the Bati's semifinal hopes and ranked as their worst performance of the tournament.
A historic day for the Bulikula
According to RNZ's match report, the Fijian women ran in 11 tries against a French side that competed hard for the opening quarter and scored once after the break through Stecy Bessiere. Fiji led 22-0 at halftime with four tries, then added seven more in the second spell.
It took Fiji just four minutes to open the scoring, Tahlia Marshall finishing a move on the right after playmaker Losana Lutu dummied and spread the ball wide. Marshall grabbed a second in the second half, while Latisha Smythe, Leilani Ahsam, Taina Naividi and Lorren Ieli each crossed once. Fullback Cassie Staples, a livewire throughout, scored in the corner in the 39th minute after Luisa Yaranamua set her up.
The NRL.com match report described the 54-6 result as a stunning statement from a team appearing at its first ever World Cup, and Fiji Sun reported that the Vodafone-sponsored side had created history by qualifying for the tournament's final four.
France showed real spirit
The scoreline flattered Fiji at times. France, led by captain Elisa Akpa and supported by Melissa Medina, Perle Ramazeilles, Haoua Kessely, Camille Boudaud and Lisa Diraison, attacked with genuine intent and forced a knock-on from Staples in the first spell.
Staples had to scramble back to save a try as France looked dangerous from the ensuing set. Winger Kessely thought she had scored in the corner in the 24th minute, but her hand found the sideline in Staples' tackle and the try was disallowed.
Staples said the intensity of the contest was not reflected in the final margin.
The scoreboard didn't really reflect the intensity of the game. It was a tough first half and the scoreboard did not reflect that. Proud of the girls, proud of what they did today.
Playmaker Lutu, who combined well with Yaranamua in the halves, pointed to the conditions as an added challenge.
It is pretty hot but we still need to get the job done.
Assistant coach Isaac Michael said the side had achieved what it set out to do, while acknowledging work remains.
We came in today wanting to put in a complete 70-minute performance. Errors kind of broke the game for us and we will be looking into that and remedy that during the week.
Kiwis hand Bati a brutal lesson
The men's fixture was a different story. The Kiwis led 48-0 at halftime after eight tries in the first spell and ran in five more after the break for a total of 13, dominating attack and defence alike.
It was the weakest of the Bati's three World Cup performances, coming just a week after they pushed the Australian Kangaroos in a narrow loss. The Kiwis join Australia as the two Pool A qualifiers for the semifinals, with their opponents to be decided after Sunday night's Samoa versus Tonga clash.
Tempers boiled over in the 51st minute when New Zealand's Ronaldo Mulitalo and Fiji's Brandon Wakeham were both sent off, after Wakeham punched Mulitalo in retaliation for a high tackle on Ronald Philitonga. Fiji's Jordan Miller was also sin-binned late in the second half.
What the semifinals hold
The Bulikula's reward for their historic win is a semifinal against Australia next weekend, while fellow Pacific side Fetū Samoa will face New Zealand in the other semifinal. For a tournament that has already showcased the depth of Pacific rugby league, an all-Pacific pathway through the women's draw is a story worth watching.
The rise of the Bulikula matters beyond the scoreboard. Women's rugby league in the Pacific has fought for visibility, funding and playing opportunities that the men's game has long enjoyed, and a first semifinal appearance at a debut World Cup is exactly the kind of breakthrough that changes perceptions back home. Fijivillage reported that the commanding 54-6 victory sealed the semi-final berth in the team's first World Cup campaign.
FAQ
Who did the Fiji Bulikula beat to reach the World Cup semifinals?
The Fiji Bulikula beat France 54-6 at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on Saturday, 31 October, to reach their first Rugby League World Cup semifinal.
Who will the Fiji Bulikula play in the semifinal?
The Bulikula will face Australia in one semifinal next weekend, with Fetū Samoa playing New Zealand in the other.
What was the score in the Kiwis versus Fiji Bati match?
New Zealand beat the Fiji Bati 78-0, leading 48-0 at halftime and scoring 13 tries in total.