One New Zealand Warriors players scored 15 tries between them as the Kiwis and Kiwis Ferns went on their points-scoring sprees in their Rugby League World Cup matches at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday.
In front of a raucous crowd of 24,868, the Kiwis and Kiwis Ferns combined to score a total of 174 points including 32 tries.
The Kiwis trounced the Cook Islands 82-16 with hometown hero Tanner Stowers-Smith scoring two tries in an unforgettable Test debut.
In just 39 minutes on the field he made 174 metres from 20 runs with two line breaks and seven tackle breaks.
Warriors clubmates Te Maire Martin and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad added the Kiwis’ last two tries.
In the early game the Kiwi Ferns produced the biggest win in their history with a 92-0 victory over France.
Four Warriors provided 11 of the team’s 18 tries between them with fullback Apii Nicholls crossing four times as well as kicking a conversion. Centres Mele Hufanga and Stacey Waaka scored hat tricks -giving her five in her first two Tests for the Ferns – and second rower Kaiyah Atai also crossed.
Warriors back rower Leka Halasima was a try scorer in Tonga’s 36-0 win over Lebanon while Warriors-bound halfback Bailey Biondi-Odo scored Papua New Guinea’s only try in its heavy 6-64 loss to Samoa (Chanel Harris-Tavita kicking two conversions).
