New Zealand have staved off a shock early Cook Islands ambush, securing a mammoth 82-16 win at One NZ Stadium in their bid to reach the semi finals.
While the Kiwis came away with their first victory of the tournament, it was Cook Islands winger Esom Ioka who stole the show in the first half with a staggering eight-minute hattrick.
After Jamayne Isaako opened the scoring, and Keano Kini sparked a second try finished by Ronaldo Mulitalo, New Zealand held a dominant 12-0 lead after only nine minutes.
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The Kiwis were looking dangerous, but as Monty Betham said on Channel 7: “We thought it was going to be one-way traffic, Cook Islands have come here with another idea”.
The first of Ioka’s three tries came after he reeled in a Kini tip-on, putting on the afterburners for a 90-metre intercept effort.
His next four-pointer came from a pinpoint Brad Takairangi kick, with Ioka only needing to catch the ball and ground it after the veteran playmaker spotted space in behind Mulitalo.
Ioka’s next try mirrored his first, intercepting another Kini pass – but this time he only needed to break away from 40 metres out and he found the line to give his side a shock 16-12 lead.
Esom Ioka scored three tries for the Cook Islands against New Zealand. Picture: NRL ImagerySource: Supplied
He unfortunately was forced to leave the field only moments later clutching his knee, and the Kiwis then went to work, reclaiming a 36-16 lead by the time the first half came to a close.
Isaako grabbed his second, Scott Sorensen and Tanner Stowers-Smith found the try line, before Casey McLean rounded out the first 40 minutes with a trademark dummy to score.
In the second half, Kini atoned for his mistakes with an early four-pointer before Stowers-Smith crashed over for his second try of the game off the bench.
Kodi Nikorima soared high to score after reeling in a bomb, while Takairangi’s intercept effort, which he was unable to reel in, led to the next try, scored by Casey McLean.
The barrage continued in the final 20 minutes, with Isaako completing his hattrick and the Kiwis now look ahead to their final pool clash with Fiji on Saturday on the Gold Coast.
Should Fiji go down to the Kangaroos on Sunday night, both teams would have a 1-1 record – meaning the winner of that clash progresses alongside Australia.
IOKA’S BIG STATEMENT
He needed only eight minutes to score a hattrick against one of rugby league’s most dangerous teams – so could Ioka do a job for an NRL team?
The 23-year-old played 21 games for the Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup this year on the wing, scoring 22 tries in an impressive haul.
It’s important to note, across the 52 games he had played before this season, the gun flyer only managed 17 tries.
Ioka has previously spent time with the Cowboys first grade squad, but has well and truly put himself in the shopfront for teams looking for depth in the outside backs with his latest display.
KINI’S IMPORTANT OUTING
After Kalyn Ponga went down in the Kiwis’ Round 1 loss to the Kangaroos, Stacey Jones called on Keano Kini at fullback.
Kini is no stranger to New Zealand’s fullback jersey and the Titans gun has performed valiantly every time he has previously turned out for his national team.
While he had some scratchy moments, namely two intercept passes for a pair of Ioka tries, Kini was dangerous across 80 minutes.
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He combined well with the left edge of McLean and Mulitalo, utilising Jeremy Marshall-King out of the ruck to isolate defenders and give his teammates space.
Kini also scored a try of his own, earning praise for bouncing back after he early woes.
“He has performed in the No.1 in the black jersey. He has had moments tonight he would want back, but he just bounces back,” Betham said.
“It’s the strength of this kid, where can I improve, where can I (deliver).”
The Kiwis fullback finished his outing with 165 running metres, six tackle breaks and a try assist to go with his four pointer.
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TEAMS
New Zealand’s Team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 4. Casey McLean 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. James Fisher-Harris (c) 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Xavier Willison 12. Scott Sorensen 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Leo Thompson 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 17. Jacob Laban 18. Isaiah Papali’i 19. Briton Nikora
Cook Islands’ Team: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Esom Ioka 3. KL Iro 4. Reubenn Rennie 5. Cameron Brown 6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio 17. Brad Takairangi 8. Davvy Moale 9. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 10. Rhys Dakin 11. Amare Milford 12. Delahia Wigmore 13. Mason Teague 7. Esan Marsters 14. K-Ci Newton-Whare 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. David Tuariki 18. Chaev Kolone 19. Glassie Glassie 23. Pride Petterson-Robati