RLWC live updates: Kangaroos gun ruled out with illness, teams finalised

New Zealand’s women have knocked off PNG 40-12 on the Gold Coast.

Mackenzie Wiki and Abigail Roache both scored doubles.

Below is how the Kangaroos and the Cook Islands will line up at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium tonight.

Kangaroos back-rower Cameron Murray has been replaced on the bench by Rabbitohs teammate David Fifita, having been ruled out on match day because of illness.

Australia

Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c) 14. Ethan Strange 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Lindsay Smith 19. James Tedesco 22. David Fifita

Cook Islands

Valentine Holmes 2. Cameron Brown 3. KL Iro (c) 4. Reubenn Rennie 5. Esan Marsters 6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio 7. Brad Takairangi 8. Davvy Moale 9. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 10. Rhys Dakin 11. Chaev Kolone 12. Delahia Wigmore 13. Mason Teague 14. David Tuariki 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Pride Petterson-Robati 17. Amare Milford 18. K-Ci Newton-Whare 19. Glassie Glassie

New Zealand’s women’s team is leading PNG 24-12 in the 50th minute of the Gold Coast clash.

Mackenzie Wiki has scored a double for the Kiwis, and Stacey Waaka, Kaiyah Atai and Otesa Pule have gone over, too.

Tia Molo and Elsi Albert have crossed for PNG.

In case you missed it, Kangaroos back-rower Cameron Murray has been ruled out of tonight’s clash between Australia and the Cook Islands in Townsville.

The South Sydney ironman has been replaced on the six-man Australian bench by Rabbitohs teammate David Fifita.

Murray was ruled out due to illness, according to News Corp.

The game at Queensland Country Bank Stadium kicks off at 8.05pm AEDT.

The clash between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea on the Gold Coast has kicked off.

Earlier today in the women’s World Cup, Fiji hammered France 54-6 on the Gold Coast.

Plenty is being said on social media about Ronaldo Mulitalo’s high shot on Ronald Philitoga and the retaliatory punch Brandon Wakeham landed on Mulitalo’s chops.

Here’s some of it:

The Kiwis have flogged Fiji 78-0 on the Gold Coast in a game that saw two players sent off, one sin-binned, and a series of spot fires and all-in melees.

New Zealand has booked its spot in the semi-finals with the thumping win at Cbus Super Stadium.

Penrith outside back Casey McLean scored four tries.

Fijan forward Jordan Miller has been dumped in the sin bin for a headbutt in the 78th minute.

This has been one fiery game.

The Kiwis have not let up all afternoon.

Middle forward Erin Clark has just bashed over from close range with six minutes left to bring up 70 points for New Zealand.

The Kiwis are now leading Fiji 72-0.

Panthers and Blues star Casey McLean was bagged four tries.

This has been one ominous display on the Gold Coast.

New Zealand’s Ronaldo Mulitalo and Fiji’s Brandon Wakeham have both been sent off.

Mulitalo was sent off for hitting Ronald Philitoga high, and Wakeham was booted off the park for punching Mulitalo. They are both off for the remainder of the game.

Wakeham did not miss. Fiji’s halfback connected flush with Mulitalo’s jaw.

“They want a piece of him!” roared Corey Parker on Seven as Fiji’s players hounded Mulitalo.

Mulitalo, one of the game’s serial antagonists, will undoubtedly be charged tomorrow.

The Sharks winger may have played his last game of the tournament.