The New Zealand Kiwis have delivered a statement performance at the Rugby League World Cup, crushing Fiji 78-0 on the Gold Coast to power into the semifinals.<\/p>\n
Boom centre Casey McLean crossed for four of their 13 tries, while winger Jamayne Isaasko landed every conversion attempt, as New Zealand eclipsed the Bati in every department.<\/p>\n
The only blot was a red card to wing Ronaldo Mulitalo for a high tackle, which left both teams to play the rest of the game with 12 players, after Fiji halfback Brandon Wakeham was also sent off for retaliation.<\/p>\n
Fiji were expected to provide a stern test, after pushing Australia in a 36-22 defeat in Brisbane last weekend, setting up a virtual quarterfinal against New Zealand, with the losers eliminated.<\/p>\n
However, there was to be no repeat of the infamous 2017 quarterfinal, when Fiji stunned the hosts 4-2 in Wellington in one of the great tournament upsets.<\/p>\n
The scene was set in the opening 13 minutes as the Kiwis powered across for four tries, with half Jahrome Hughes having cantered through a gaping hole to score from their very first set.<\/p>\n
That 24-0 lead had double to 48-0 by halftime, with Fiji’s cause not helped by the loss of experienced captain and hooker Api Korisau to a suspected broken jaw.<\/p>\n
The opening exchanges of the second half was overshadowed by Mulitalo’s tackle, which resulted in a head injury to opposite Ronald Philitoga, forcing him from the field.<\/p>\n
Both teams came together in a tense exchange, with Wakeham also shown red for throwing a punch.<\/p>\n
New Zealand’s scoring resumed soon afterwards, with McLean – part of a potent left edge – crossing twice in four minutes to add to his double from the first half.<\/p>\n
Forwards Briton Nikora and Erin Clark also scored before fullback Keano Kini bagged his second late in the contest.<\/p>\n
The other tryscorers were Dane Gagai, captain James Fisher-Harris, Mulitalo and Xavier Willison as the Kiwis showed why they will be a handful for any side in the knockout stage.<\/p>\n
The Bati struggled throughout the game to contain New Zealand’s forwards, who produced numerous offloads and rapid play-the-balls.<\/p>\n
Their frustration boiled over again late on when prop Jordan Miller was shown a yellow card for a high shot which sparked another scuffle.<\/p>\n
Jamayne Isaako landed 13 from 14 conversions in 82-16 thrashing of Cook Islands in Christchurch last weekend – in a NZ test record 38 point haul – and his record was even better this time, slotting 13 from 13.<\/p>\n
The result means the Kiwis will advance from Group A into the semis, alongside hosts and defending champions Australia.<\/p>\n
Their opponents will depend on the result of Sunday night’s group match between unbeaten Pacific rivals Samoa and Tonga.<\/p>\n
The Kiwis will hope star fullback Kalyn Ponga will have recovered in time for the knockout stage of the tournament, having suffered a broken forearm in the opening 24-22 loss to Australia just two weeks ago.<\/p>\n