Rugby League World Cup 2013: Score Predictions and Fixture Info for Semi-Finals

This Saturday will see Wembley play host to the penultimate phase of this year's Rugby League World Cup, where Australia, England, Fiji and New Zealand will stage a repeat of 2008's semi-final fixtures.

However, the question is whether fans will come to witness another final encounter between Australia and New Zealand or if the other two participants can stage a rebellion and make it to Old Trafford.

With only the world's elite powers now left in the tournament, it's here that the champagne rugby will really start to fizz.

Read on for all the fixture information and a prediction of who we'll see make it to Manchester.

Matchup	Venue	Date	Time	Prediction
England vs. New Zealand	Wembley, London	Saturday, Nov. 23	1 p.m. GMT/8 a.m. ET	England 22-30 New Zealand
Australia vs. Fiji	Wembley, London	Saturday, Nov. 23	3:30 p.m. GMT/10:30 a.m. ET	Australia 42-18 Fiji

  

England vs. New Zealand

Five years ago, a resurgent New Zealand side defeated England on their way to one of the greatest upsets in rugby league history.

Therefore, this weekend provides a very intriguing test of the Kiwis' worth and will tell us whether Stephen Kearney's side have developed further following their World Cup triumph, or if 2008 was merely an anomaly.

England will be by far the hardest test that New Zealand have faced in this tournament, while Steve McNamara's team had a veritable "Baptism Through Fire," having opened their campaign up against Australia.

All eyes will be on the tournament's leading try scorer Ryan Hall to make the difference for the home side, while the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Manu Vatuvei will surely have a say for the visitors.

Recent weeks have seen New Zealand display some of the best attacking rugby in the tournament, emphasised by their 146 points scored in three group matches, a force that the English will be unable to stop.

Prediction: England 22-30 New Zealand

Australia vs. Fiji

Fiji are this year's winners of what almost feels like a consolation fourth place in the semi-finals, with its incumbent ever tasked with breaking up the hold that England, Australia and New Zealand have on the sport.

Given that the Kangaroos have already beaten the Bati once in this tournament, it's difficult to look past Tim Sheens' team at Wembley.

Having beaten England in Group A, facing Fiji is Australia's reward for topping the toughest group in the competition, a place in the final looking secure as a result.

Sheens has been able to rest certain stars in some outings, but he took no chances in the 62-0 quarter-final win over the United States, in which the figures of Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Greg Inglis and others all impressed hugely.

One can't imagine any other outcome than Fiji slumping to another defeat this weekend.

Prediction: Australia 42-18 Fiji