Rugby League World Cup 2013: Updated Semi-Final Lineup and Predictions

With just one place left in the semi-finals, either Samoa or Fiji will join Australia, England and New Zealand in the penultimate phase of this year's Rugby League World Cup.

The Pacific Islanders are set to meet in Warrington on Sunday in what would be a huge achievement for either team.

The winner of the Halliwell Jones Stadium encounter will go on to Wembley next weekend, where the daunting task of overcoming World Cup favourites Australia awaits them.

With the last four almost complete, now's the time to look forward in anticipation of what may unravel at the next stage of the competition.

Matchup	Venue	Score	Winner
England vs. New Zealand	Wembley, London	24-30	New Zealand
Australia vs. Fiji/Samoa	Wembley, London	N/A	Australia

England vs. New Zealand: 23 November, 1 p.m. GMT

The first semi to be decided was that of England and New Zealand, where the last remaining co-hosts left in the tournament will need to dethrone the reigning champions if they're to make their way to the final.

The Kiwis' 40-4 quarter-final win over Scotland was a statement from the 2008 victors, but not the type of statement one would be used to hearing about in this context.

No, while their points tally was still magnificent, this statement was instead alluding to the fact that New Zealand are also capable of stern defence, something that hadn't been displayed in as comfortable a manner in recent weeks.

This was only the second time in the tournament that Stephen Kearney's side had managed to finish a game conceding in the single digits, the first being against France, one of the most attack-shy teams in the tournament.

Steve McNamara's men already had to be at their attacking best to beat the Southern Hemisphere giants, but the job will be that much tougher should New Zealand find their defensive momentum once more.

England's home advantage will only go so far, so it's fortunate that the the English have had a raft of their own stars looking in good shape of late, but their opposition's attack is currently that much edgier.

Prediction: England 24-30 New Zealand - New Zealand advance to the final.

Australia vs. Fiji/Samoa: 23 November, 3:30 p.m. GMT

After winning six of the last seven Rugby League World Cups, Australia are on a collision course to regain their title from New Zealand and have been handed the most favourable of semi-final fixtures along the way.

The Kangaroos are second only to the Kiwis in term of points scored in this year's competition and have conceded just 22 points thus far, making them the stingiest defence in the tournament.

Fiji were outshone by England in Pool A, whom Australia beat comfortably in the end, while Samoa would be a fairly unknown quantity given that they're relative newcomers at this stage of the Rugby League World Cup.

This would be the first time that Samoa have made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup, but meeting Australia would in all likelihood bring the dream to an abrupt end.

Of course, one can't simply go on past and recent form to decide a match, but while both Fiji and Samoa have shown great thirst going forward with the ball this year, their defence is lacking in comparison.

Tim Sheens' NRL giants won't be the type to forgive such shortcomings and are perfectly balanced throughout the squad, something that was on display during their quarter-final beating of the United States.

Prediction: Australia beat Fiji/Samoa - Australia advance to the final.