Samoa and England will play for a Women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final place in Wollongong on Friday, with both teams entering their final group meeting after a win over Wales and a defeat by Australia. The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that the winner will advance to the last four. England second-rower Lucy Murray described the contest as effectively a quarter-final, with her side’s tournament progress depending on the result. Samoa beat Wales 76–0, while England defeated the same opposition 70–6. Both were held scoreless by Australia, although Samoa conceded 38 fewer points than England, who lost 78–0. Murray made her tournament debut in that defeat and has retained her place for the Samoa match. She is one of three Leeds Rhinos players in England’s team, alongside Connie Boyd and Keara Bennett. Despite the heavy loss to Australia, Murray told the newspaper that confidence remained high. She said England had shown skill during their limited opportunities with possession and needed to retain the ball to create scoring chances against Samoa. England have examined Samoa’s play, she said, while concentrating on improvements to their own performance and carrying out their game plan. Her comments place possession and execution at the centre of England’s preparations for the deciding fixture. Murray also described the extended period together as valuable for England’s squad. Training alongside players from the National Rugby League Women’s competition had provided advice and experience she hoped to take back to Leeds. For Samoa, Friday’s match offers a direct route into the semi-finals. Their emphatic victory over Wales and lower points conceded against Australia form the reported backdrop to a contest in which the result will determine which team progresses.