New Zealand 38-8 Samoa: Kiwis score seven tries in comfortable victory
By Ben Proe
Last Updated: 28/10/17 12:52pm
New Zealand kicked off their bid for 2017 World Cup glory with a comprehensive 38-8 victory over Samoa - but a tibia/fibula injury may have ruled out centre Gerard Beale for the tournament.
The Kiwis were 12-0 up inside the first quarter; Jordan Rapana with the opening four-pointer on four minutes, before Shaun Johnson converted his own try.
Samoa, though, got themselves on the board four minutes short of half-time; Ken Maumalo with the touchdown.
However, that 10-4 interval lead had stretched to 26-4 by the hour mark, as three tries in nine minutes from Brad Takairang, Kodi Nikorima and Isaac Liu put the 2008 world champions in control.
They sealed a third straight win over Matt Parish's side with two more tries in the final quarter; Roger Tuivasa-Sheck following up a superb Nikorima break, before an impressive Nelson Asofa-Solomona touchdown from 10 metres out completed their scoring eight minutes from time.
Joseph Paulo added a late consolation for Samoa - but the Kiwis could now seal a Quarter-Final slot against Scotland in Christchurch on Saturday.
