New Zealand dole out 10-try hammering to Samoa

New Zealand 50 Samoa 6

New Zealand sent out a warning to England, their opening Four Nations opponents, with a 10-try hammering of Samoa in their first ever meeting in Auckland.

The home side crossed for four first-half tries through captain Benji Marshall, winger Jason Nightingale and centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall (2) to lead 16-0 at the break.

And, while England had earlier squandered an 18-0 interval lead to draw 18-18 with the Maori in the curtain-raiser at Mount Smart Stadium, the Kiwis went on to ram home their advantage in a lop-sided second half.

It was predictable from the start, with Sydney Roosters’ Kenny-Dowall grabbing a brace of tries inside 20 minutes on his return to the side from a three-year exile.

Nathan Fien and Wigan’s Thomas Leuluai both scored second-half tries, along with the returning Manu Vatuvei (2), Lance Hohaia and Frank Pritchard, before half-back Pita Godinet grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

Marshall and Issac Luke failed with five of their first six kicks at goal but the latter nailed three late conversions.

Marshall beautifully orchestrated the razzle-dazzle display before he was replaced after an hour while Fien made a play to oust Leuluai from the starting scrum-half berth as he looked sharp coming off the bench.

Former Leeds forward Greg Eastwood was the pick of the props and Warriors captain Simon Mannering the best of the back-rowers.