England will face Samoa on Saturday 12 November at the Emirates Stadium in a repeat of the tournament’s opening game, with defending champions Australia set to take on fellow southern hemisphere giants New Zealand the previous evening at Elland Road in two titanic semi-final clashes.
Shaun Wane’s England side continued their serene progress throughout the competition with a comprehensive victory over Papua New Guinea at the DW Stadium in front of the watching Princess of Wales to book their place in the semi-final. They will meet Matt Parish’s Samoa who overcame the challenge of Tonga in impressive fashion in front of a great crowd at Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The two teams will now go head-to-head for the second time in this tournament with Samoa set to provide a much sterner test than they did at St James’ Park on 15 October. They now meet at the Emirates Stadium in a 2.30pm kick off for the chance to progress to the final at Old Trafford on Saturday 19 November. TV coverage starts on BBC One from 13:45.
On the other side of the draw a thrilling battle awaits at Elland Road on Friday 11 November.
Mal Meninga’s defending champions, who have won the title on 11 previous occasions, will take on Michael Maguire’s New Zealand, who previously won the tournament in 2008.
Both sides were in impressive form in the quarter-finals with Australia defeating Lebanon 48-4 at the John Smiths Stadium, with Josh Addo-Carr running in five tries to take his tournament tally to 11. New Zealand exacted revenge on Fiji, who had beaten them at the same stage of the tournament in 2017, with a brilliant comeback victory in arguably the game of the tournament so far after an outstanding first half performance from Fiji.
This game kicks off at 19:30 with TV coverage starting at 19:00 on BBC Two.
Rugby League World Cup 2021, Chief Executive, Jon Dutton, said:
“It has been a brilliant weekend of rugby league with nine games across the men’s, women and wheelchair tournaments as well as a royal visit in Wigan from The Princess of Wales. It was a fantastic occasion which was enjoyed by all involved and has elevated the sport to new heights.
“After so many years of build-up, and the incredible challenges that have been overcome, to get to the semi-finals of the men’s tournament is so exciting. What a fantastic couple of games we have in prospect with four tremendous teams set to battle it out for a chance to reach the final at Old Trafford.
“With tickets selling well for both matches at Elland Roads and the Emirates respectively, we are expecting great atmospheres at both venues. Whether you are a hardcore rugby league fan or new to the sport it should be incredible to watch so get your tickets and witness history being made.”
Full Details:
Australia vs New Zealand – Elland Road 11/11/22 19:30 – BBC Two 19:00
England vs Samoa – Emirates Stadium 12/11/22 14:30 – BBC One 13:45
