Rugby League World Cup: New Zealand 24-18

Australia will face New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals after the two countries battled to a 2-2 draw in Hull.

Jordan Rapana's late penalty and try helped the world's number one ranked side recover from an 18/6 deficit.

Four other people also crossed for the New Zealand's.

Maika Sivo and two scores from Kevin Naiqama were all that was needed for the win.

New Zealand lost to the Fijians in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The Pacific Islanders stunned their opponents in a low- scoring nail-biter, but this match in Hull was heart-breaking.

New Zealand scored a try just before the break to get back into the game, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.

Naiqama scored his second try of the game after the restart, but in a tense second half, the scores were level at 18-18.

Rapana kicked New Zealand into a 20-18 lead nine minutes from time and then went over in the corner in the closing stages to send the Zealanders into the semifinals.

They will play Australia on Friday in the semifinals.

The full-back from New Zealand was named the player of the game.

They were going to be a tough side and it was difficult.

They came out to play and we made things hard on ourselves, but they did a good job.

It's going to be a close match if we pick up a few things that we need to improve on. We will be prepared for that.

Brown, Hughes, and J Bromwich are from New Zealand.

Papali;'i, Foran, and Nikora were added to the mix.

Turuva, Sivo, Naiqama, Valemei, Karawalevu, Koroisau, Wakeham, Sims, Tagituimua, Kamikamica, Wong, Kikau, Sadrugu are all from the country.

Raiwalui, Manuel-Liolevave and Nakubuwai were added to the roster.