Australia beat Fiji 36-22 to reach Rugby League World Cup semi-finals

Australia secured a place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals with a 36-22 victory over Fiji in Brisbane, BBC Sport reported. The Group A result sent Kevin Walters' side through after a contest in which Fiji led after half-time and had a chance to extend their advantage before a disallowed try changed the game.

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Fiji had lost the previous five meetings between the teams by a combined 246-16, but this encounter was much closer. They held the territorial advantage in the first half and moved into a 16-12 lead after the interval. Kotoni Staggs opened Australia's scoring at his home ground, while debutant Sam Walker contributed a try and 12 points from kicks.

The decisive sequence came when Solomone Saukuru crossed for what appeared to be a try that would put Fiji 20-12 ahead. An obstruction ruling erased the score, and Australia responded immediately at the opposite end through Tom Trbojevic. His try brought the scores level, turning a potential eight-point Fiji advantage into parity within a brief passage of play.

Trbojevic added two further tries, and Jacob Preston also scored after Semi Valemei completed a hat-trick for Fiji. Speaking to Premier Sports, Trbojevic acknowledged that Australia had struggled to establish their rhythm and needed to improve. The win followed Australia's victory over New Zealand, giving them a last-four place despite being tested in both matches.

New Zealand, meanwhile, recovered from their own early setback to defeat the Cook Islands 82-16 in Christchurch. After losing their opener 24-22 to Australia, Stacey Jones' team went 12-0 ahead before three Esom Ioka tries helped the Cook Islands take a 16-12 lead. The Kiwis then regained control and reached half-time with a 36-16 advantage.

Jamayne Isaako finished with three tries and 13 conversions for 38 points, a New Zealand single-match record. His total surpassed Tasesa Lavea's 32 against the Cook Islands in 2000. Test debutant Tanner Stowers-Smith, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Casey McLean each scored twice. New Zealand next face Fiji on Saturday, 31 October, with their final pool meeting determining which of the two sides progresses.