Australia will contest both Rugby League World Cup finals after a dominant Sunday double in Sydney. The men's side beat Samoa 44-12 in wet conditions at Allianz Stadium, with fullback Reece Walsh scoring a hat-trick to send the defending champions through to next weekend's final against New Zealand.

The Kangaroos are chasing a fourth consecutive title and a record-extending 13th men's World Cup crown. The semi-final turned fractious, with Samoa left angry at a series of refereeing decisions that went against them in what was billed as their best chance to topple the holders.

In the women's tournament, Australia ground out a 30-14 win over World Cup debutants Fiji, with Abbi Church crossing for four tries. The victory puts the Jillaroos into their fifth consecutive Women's Rugby League World Cup final.