Fiji, Oct. 26 -- Fiji are on the cusp of claiming a Women's Rugby League World Cup semi-final berth in their first-ever tournament appearance after trouncing Papua New Guinea 40-4.

In sapping conditions in Port Moresby on Saturday, the Bulikula defied a vocal home crowd at Santos National Football Stadium to race out to a 30-4 halftime lead.

The Fijians piled on a further two second-half tries as winger Tahlia Marshall brought up a hat-trick to record the biggest win in the team's history.

The Bulikula will head into this Saturday's meeting with minnows France on the Gold Coast, knowing a win will secure their place in the knockout stages.

After narrowly losing to New Zealand last week, Fiji proved they would be no pushovers and it took...