Women’s Rugby League World Cup: Samoa beat Wales 76–0

Samoa set a national-team scoring record with a 76–0 victory over Wales in a women’s Rugby League World Cup pool match in Sydney, BBC Sport reported on 23 October. Debutant Tyra Ekepati scored three of Samoa’s 14 tries.

The result surpassed Samoa’s previous scoring benchmark, a 52–8 win over Russia at the 2008 World Cup. Samoa had lost their opening match 40–0 to Australia, while Wales began their first World Cup with a defeat by England.

Samoa build a 40-point half-time lead

Early Samoa errors gave Wales pressure near the try line, but Samoa held out and went on to lead 40–0 at half-time. Wales had also conceded 40 first-half points in their opening match.

BBC Sport reported that Samoa gained more than 2,000 metres and broke through the defensive line 21 times, while Wales made no such breaks. Ekepati, a 19-year-old centre, completed her hat-trick—three tries—in the closing stages. Tavarna Papalii added the final try with 90 seconds remaining.

England and Australia await

Both teams have one pool match remaining. Wales finish against Australia, the reigning champions and tournament co-hosts, after two heavy defeats.