Live: New Zealand Kiwi Ferns v Fiji Bulikula - women's Rugby League World Cup

The New Zealand Kiwi Ferns kick off their World Cup campaign against Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle at 3.50pm.Follow all the action in our live blog below:Embedded content removed for printingRicky Henry has selected seven debutants as the Kiwi Ferns chase a fourth World Cup title.Among them, two-time Rugby World Cup winner, Olympic Gold Medallist and Sevens world champion Stacey Waaka.On the back of a storied career in XVs and Sevens, Waaka made the switch to league in 2024, playing two seasons with the Broncos before moving back home to join the Warriors women.Injuries had prevented her Kiwi Ferns debut but now fully fit, Henry has included the cross-code superstar for the World Cup campaign."The depth of Kiwi talent we had to select from made this a tough decision, but we have absolute faith in these women we have named to pull on the jersey this year."It has been a long wait for redemption for the Kiwi Ferns, who were hammered 54-4 in the 2022 final against the Jillaroos in York."The way our last World Cup ended has lit the fire and hunger to go one better this time, and I believe we have the team to do that."Also in lie for their first test caps are Kaiyah Atai, Chantay Kiria-Ratu, both of who have switched allegiance from the Cook Islands, Trinity Tauaneai, Tenika Willison and former Jillaroos Shannon Mato and Zahara Temara.Co-captains Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor will again lead the side.Kiwi Ferns squad:Brooke Anderson (St George Illawarra Dragons), Kaiyah Atai (Warriors), Annessa Biddle (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Brianna Clark (Brisbane Broncos), Georgia Hale (Gold Coast Titans), Mele Hufanga (Warriors), Chantay Kiria-Ratu (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Ivana Lauitiiti (Warriors), Shannon Mato (Brisbane Broncos), Raecene McGregor (Wests Tigers), Shaniece Monschau (Wests Tigers), Apii Nicholls (Warriors), Shanice Parker (Newcastle Knights), Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters), Ashleigh Quinlan (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Abigail Roache (North Queensland Cowboys), Alexis Tauaneai (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Trinity Tauaneai (St George Illawarra Dragons), Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Zahara Temara (Canberra Raiders), Leianne Tufuga (Canberra Raiders), Stacey Waaka (Warriors), Tenika Willison (Newcastle Knights).