Kiwis' second half blitz seals comfortable win over Toa Samoa

The Kiwis have opened their 2017 Rugby League World Cup campaign in style, with a 38-8 win over Toa Samoa at Mt Smart Stadium.

In a tense first-half, the error ridden Kiwis managed to take a 10-4 lead into half time, before a second half surge sealed the win for the home side.

FULLTIME: NZ 38 Samoa 8

Have Samoa scored a last minute consolation? A kick through has Paulo one on one with Tuivasa-Sheck and the Samoan star looks like he's got there. The try is given and that's fulltime. The conversion wide, game over.

79 mins: NZ 38 Samoa 4

Samoa attacking again, the Kiwis' defence holding firm in the final stages though. A kick over the top has Samoa back-peddling and Tuivasa-Sheck is onto it!!! The ball just goes dead before the flying fullback can get there.

73 mins: NZ 38 Samoa 4

TRY!!! Another debutant scoes!!! Nelson Asofa-Solomona goes over this time. The forward shows incredible strength to crash over and score, holding off the defenders before reaching out and planting the ball over the line.

Johnson makes the kick, the Kiwis starting to show their class in the final minutes.

72 mins: NZ 32 Samoa 4

Have we got another try?! The kick goes up from the Kiwis on the last, Watene-Zelezniak and Mata'utia go up for it. The ball goes back but Samoa try and let it go out. Watene-Zelezniak dives on the loose ball and claims the try.

The referee checks upstairs, it's come off the Kiwis winger and it'll be a Samoan restart.

69 mins: NZ 32 Samoa 4

TRY!!! What a move from the Kiwis! Nikorima breaks and passes to Tuivasa-Sheck! The fullback breaks away at pace and scores under the posts! The Kiwis class showing now! 

Johnson converts the kick and surely that seals the win for the Kiwis.

67 mins: NZ 26 Samoa 4

Samoa go close, but lose the ball on the Kiwis' line. NZ scrum.

65 mins: NZ 26 Samoa 4

Another short stoppage, this time for a pitch invader, only at Mt Smart...

64 mins: NZ 26 Samoa 4

Samoa getting frustrated now. They give away another penalty and there's some more push and shove. Watene-Zelezniak restarts play.

62 mins: NZ 26 Samoa 4

Gerard Beale is down for the Kiwis and looks to be having some trouble with his knee. He looks in a lot of pain. A long delay to the game now as Beale receives treatment, this could be the end of his tournament right here. The stretcher has been called and Beale is leaving the field. Play finally set to resume after the stoppage. 

59 mins: NZ 26 Samoa 4

Danny Levi wins a penalty and the Kiwis again have a go at the Samoan line. Packer goes close, Levi goes at the line now but is held up on the third! The Kiwis start again but Samoa give away a penalty. Packer goes at the line on the restart but drops the ball, Samoa get out of jail with another Kiwis mistake.

57 mins: NZ 26 Samoa 4

TRY!!! Issac Liu grabs a debut try now! The forward surges at the Samoan line, beating Pritchard and Roberts to crash over for a try against his former nation.

Johnson converts the try and the Kiwis starting to look comfortable.

53 mins: NZ 20 Samoa 4

TRY!!! What a try!!! Johnson stabs a kick through on the fourth and Nikorima has come out of nowhere to pounce and score. The ref wants to check upstairs but signals a try. No problem with it. Great work from the halves pair.

Johnson lines up the conversion, and he's got it!

49 mins: NZ 14 Samoa 4

Samoa have a scrum but Tapau steals the ball! The Kiwis in a great position now! Beale runs at the line but he's dropped it! Another error from the Kiwis. 

47 mins: NZ 14 Samoa 4

TRY!!! Taikarangi scores on debut! Johnson kicks through on the Kiwis' last, and Maumalo spills the ball in defence, the debutant dives on the loose ball for his first try in a Kiwis shirt. The referee wants to check upstairs first, he signals a try. Has Tapine knocked the ball out of Maumalo's hands? The try stands, what a moment for Brad Taikarangi.

Johnson lines up the kick, and he's just missed it away to the right.

45 mins: NZ 10 Samoa 4

The Kiwis with a chance now, Nikorima finds Taikorangi who drops it! Handling errors really starting to hurt the Kiwis now.

41 mins: NZ 10 Samoa 4

Samoa kick off to get the second half underway at Mt Smart! Can they turn things around in the second spell?

HALFTIME: NZ 10 Samoa 4

Nikorima kicks on the last and the ball bounces, there's a scramble and Samoa come away with the ball and a penalty. They take it quickly in the last few moments of the first half. Samoa move the ball but Leilua throws a forward pass to Maumalo to bring the first half to a close, NZ ahead by six.

39 mins: NZ 10 Samoa 4

Play is stopped after a nasty collision betweem Tuivasa-Sheck and Godinet. The Samoa utility is leaving the field for a concussion test, he stayed down for a bit after the tackle.

38 mins: NZ 10 Samoa 4

Leilua runs at the Kiwis line. Samoa get close to the line before firing the pass wide, Rapana dives and misses the ball. Maumalo gets the ball and scores in the corner! Samoa strike before the break! The huge Samoan crowd go wild in celebration with that one.

Maka'utia with the kick from the sideline, and he's pushed it away to the right. Samoa trail by six. 

35 mins: NZ 10 Samoa 0

Paulo kicks high on Samoa's last and Rapana contests with Maumalo. The Samoa winger knocks the ball on as the Kiwis get out of jail again.

32 mins: NZ 10 Samoa 0

Samoa move the ball to Mata'utia in space, but the winger runs back inside! They move the ball to the left edge through Papalii. Paulo kicks on the fourth where Mannering does brilliantly to gather! The Kiwis' defence holding firm at the moment.

29 mins: NZ 10 Samoa 0

Samoa give away another penalty, Johnson kicks for touch but doesn't put the ball out! Samoa run the ball, they're right on the Kiwis line on the last, Leilua runs but loses the ball and there's a scramble. Referee awards a penalty to New Zealand.

26 mins: NZ 10 Samoa 0

Samoa play the ball on the last, Roberts kicks but there's too much on it. Rapana claims with no trouble and the Kiwis on the front foot again. Packer with his first run of the night, he's bought down. Takairangi runs the ball up. Johnson puts another high kick up but Mata'utia does brilliantly to claim it. The Kiwis' chasers are penalised for offside though.

22 mins: NZ 10 Samoa 0

Another chance for the Kiwis, Asofa-Solomona again with the ball but he's lost it! The Kiwis give away a penalty to waste another chance.

21 mins: NZ 10 Samoa 0

TRY!!!  Tapine tries to step through the Samoan defence, before getting the ball to Mannering. Mannering finds Leuluai inside him, who draws in the last defender before finding Shaun Johnson! The halfback has no trouble, racing away to score and double the Kiwis' lead.

Johnson to convert his own kick, and he gets it. Kiwis ahead by 10 now.

18 mins: NZ 4 Samoa 0

The Kiwis with another set but Samoa give away a penalty for not releasing Tapine. Johnson goes for touch and the Kiwis will have a great chance here.

Asofa-Solomona runs at the line and wins another penalty! The Kiwis opt against the shot at goal, Nikorima and Tuivasa-Sheck combine nicely. Blair takes the ball into the tackle. The Kiwis have a great chance after an offload from Asofa-Solomona, the ball goes wide to Watene-Zelezniak, who goes on a bizarre run infield, before giving away a penalty for blocking.

13 mins: NZ 4 Samoa 0

Pritchard goes close for Samoa! The visitors threaten here, Papalii is held up on the last and Samoa have one last chance. Paulo kicks and Takairangi intercepts. The Kiwis look to counter! Beale tries to step through but is tackled. A strong run from Tapau has the Kiwis up to the 40m line. Johnson puts the bomb up on the last and it's brilliantly claimed by Maumalo.

11 mins: NZ 4 Samoa 0

Samoa have the Kiwis under HUGE defensive pressure. NZ try to move the ball from behind their own line, Mannering throws a pass that Watene-Zelezniak drops, but Samoa are penalised for offside and there's a bit of push and shove! Scrum for Samoa for the knock-on.

10 mins: NZ 4 Samoa 0

Samoa attack now! They look to offload but the ball hits Tapau, knock on the call and it's another scrum for Samoa on the 20m line. Leilua runs and is tackled. Paulo has a hit up and Waerea-Hargreaves gives away a penalty! From the restart Samoa throw the ball wide for Maumalo who's tackled. Samoa just eight metres away. Lafai throws a loose pass and Rapana intercepts!

Try-scorer becomes try saver!

8 mins: NZ 4 Samoa 0

The Kiwis attack again! Some smart work from Tapau who offloads to Johnson, the Kiwis move the ball quickly but it's a knock on from Waerea-Hargreaves! Scrum to Samoa.

6 mins: NZ 4 Samoa 0

TRY!!!  Papalii SMASHES Watene-Zelezniak in the Kiwis winger's first run. The Kiwis run the ball now and Rapana breaks! He fires the pass back inside to Johnson, before getting the ball back, Ken Maumalo commits to the tackle, before Johnson finds Rapana again. The winger races away for the first try of the match for the home side!

Johnson lines up the kick and he's hit the post! The Kiwis lead by four.

2 mins: NZ 0 Samoa 0

The Kiwis' defence keep Samoa in their own half from their first set. Tuivasa-Sheck with the first run for New Zealand. Johnson kicks on the fouth looking for touch but Samoa field the kick.

KICK OFF!

Shaun Johnson boots the ball high into the air to get the match going! 

8:17pm

Adam Blair leads his Kiwis in their response, just as passionate as Toa Samoa, Mt Smart Stadium are loving this from both sides. Fireworks erupt at the conclusion of New Zealand's challenge.

8:13pm

Here it is, the haka against the Siva Tau. Junior Paulo leads a fiery peformance from Toa Samoa, the Kiwis will have their haka in reply now.

8:09pm

The anthems will play before the cultural challenge of each side. Samoa's anthem is first up. 'God Defend New Zealand' is second.

8:07pm

Both sides making their way out to the field for tonight's clash. A traditional Maori welcome for those at Mt Smart, with a large number of fans welcoming their teams to the field.

PRE MATCH

After months of planning, setbacks, defections and just about anything else that could happen before a World Cup, the Kiwis are finally about to let their actions on the field do the talking, taking on underdogs Toa Samoa in their opening clash tonight.

Coach David Kidwell has named an experimental looking side, with no fewer than four debutants, with Brad Takairangi, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Danny Levi and Isaac Liu pulling on the Kiwis jersey for the first time.

In the halves, Kodi Nikorima will partner Shaun Johnson, while Thomas Leuluai starts at hooker. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck rounds out the stellar spine in his favoured fullback role - having been linked with a switch to rugby union yesterday.

Their opposition Samoa on the other hand, have named a side stacked with familiar faces, led by former Kiwis hardman Frank Pritchard, while the likes of Canberra Raiders star Joseph Leilua will come up against his club teammate - Kiwis winger Jordan Rapana.

TEAMS

Kiwis: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Gerard Beale, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Martin Taupau, 9. Thomas Leuluai, 10. Adam Blair (c), 11. Isaac Liu, 12. Joseph Tapine, 13. Simon Mannering

Interchange : 14. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 15. Russell Packer,16. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 17. Danny Levi.

Toa Samoa: 1. Young Tonumaipea, 2. Peter Mata'utia, 3. Timoteo Lafai, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Joseph Paulo, 7. Ben Roberts, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Jazz Tevaga, 10. Sam Lisone, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Frank Pritchard (c). 13. Leeson Ah Mau.

Interchange: 14. Pita Godinet, 15. Herman Ese'ese, 16. Suaia Matagi, 17. Bunty Afoa.