And Joseph Manu was outstanding, popping up everywhere to terrorise the Samoans with his fend, strength, speed and offload, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona changed the match off the bench.
Wingers Jamayne Isaako and Ronaldo Mulitalo both got doubles, in the nine-try romp.
The result means the Kiwis have sealed a berth in the Pacific Championship final in Hamilton in a fortnight, ahead of the clash with Australia in Melbourne next week.
The Kangaroos will be a much, much tougher test but this was a good template for the rest of the campaign.
Samoa were disappointing. The 2022 World Cup finalists started well – in front of wonderful support – but couldn’t maintain it.
They looked rudderless for most of the match and made things hard for themselves, twice sending fifth-tackle kicks out on the full, among many other errors. The Pacific team, who were missing some key men from last year, were also worn down by a relentless Kiwis defence, which cut down their space and time.
The pre-match stanza was brilliant – there surely haven’t been too many better at Eden Park. The Samoan Siva Tau was as passionate as you would expect and they advanced right to the Kiwis line, nose to nose, before the New Zealanders replied in kind with their haka.
That led to plenty of early smash and bash, with adrenaline levels through the roof. Samoa responded and had the better of the opening 10 minutes. They smashed everything that moved in the black jersey and pinned the Kiwis in their own territory, to the delight of the massed blue fans.
After all that, the Kiwis first try to Isaako – after a delightful cut out ball from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - was the perfect riposte. Mulitalo was inches away soon afterwards – denied by brilliant cover defence – but the Kiwis had some momentum.
Manu lost his jersey – and kept playing skins for the entire set, which ended with a Hughes try, as he ran off a superb Joseph Tapine offload in the shadow of the posts. Samoa were making mistakes – and getting punished, with slick hands down the right edge producing a second touchdown for Isaako, after the winger had earlier made a long-range break.
The Pacific side needed to respond after the interval but were cruelled by more errors, with Asofa-Solomona bulldozing his way over – carrying four defenders with him – after a costly knock on by Sualauvi Faalogo near his own line. From there the Kiwis could relax and they produced some spellbinding football. Their fifth try was one of the best, as Hughes stepped inside on a dime before producing an instinctive kick for Isaiah Papali’i as the second rower flashed through like a winger.
A brace to Mulitalo and a try to Briton Nikora added to the pain, while a Samoan effort was scratched for obstruction, much to the disappointment of those waving red and blue flags. Captain James Fisher-Harris finished off the party with a late score, as the Kiwis reached the half century against their demoralised opponents.
Kiwis 50 (Jamayne Isaako 2, Jahrome Hughes, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Isaiah Papali’I, Ronaldo Mulitalo 2, Briton Nikora, James Fisher-Harris tries; Isaako 7 conversions)
Samoa 0
Halftime 18-0
Preview
Although it has been an underwhelming buildup so far, there is no denying the importance of the Kiwis’ clash with Samoa on Saturday (6pm, Eden Park).
The timing isn’t great – on Labour weekend – while the All Blacks’s stunning win over Ireland, along with the Black Caps’ encouraging start in their World Cup, has diverted many eyeballs. And international league is again trying to find its way, with a new post season competition, after the closure of the previous mid-season windows.
But this match is crucial, as the Kiwis want to make a statement on home soil. Due to Covid and scheduling issues, they’ve only played once in New Zealand since 2019. They need to bank a win on Saturday to ensure progression to the Pacific Championship final in Hamilton on November 4, rather than leaving their fate hinging on a positive result against the Kangaroos in Melbourne next week.
It’s also the start of a new cycle. While injuries and post-season surgery have been factors, there are only two survivors from the 17 used in Michael Maguire’s first match against Australia five years ago, and even some significant omissions from last year’s World Cup squad.
That adds to the intrigue, in the game against the 2022 World Cup finalists. Maguire has selected four debutants, with Canberra centre Matt Timoko, West Coast product Griffin Neame, Newcastle forward Leo Thompson and club mate Fa’amanu Brown in the 17. Timoko is coming off his best NRL season while Neame has been a recent standout at the Cowboys. Brown was the best dummy half option available and Thompson impressed during the Knights’ late season run.
Maguire opted to use Joseph Manu in the centres, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad preferred at fullback. It’s a switch from the World Cup and a rare opportunity for Nicoll-Klokstad, with six of his seven previous tests at centre, stuck behind Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Manu.
“I’ve had some good conversations with Joey,” said Maguire. “I’ve stated that if he is playing fullback all the time, he can probably be the world’s best but Charnze has had a really good year and obviously what it takes to be a fullback and just building the habits allow me to put Charnze back there.”
But Maguire indicated there could be some tactical reshuffles during the match, to maximise Manu’s involvement.
“[When] Joey plays club he can have a blend of both as well,” said Maguire. “We tinkered around with how we want to do things with Joey, to get a bit of Joey going through the middle of the park. I’m sure he will scare a few once he gets in there but Charnze will start [and] we will let that play out.”
However, there is an injury cloud over Manu. He limped off during Tuesday’s training, before missing the rest of the session, with a tight left calf. The Kiwis hierarchy are confident he will play, though won’t take any chances.
Kieran Foran provides utility value off the bench – able to cover halves and hooker - while Nelson Asofa Solomona will counter some of the size among the opposition interchange. The Kiwis are favoured but will be wary of giving Samoa any momentum, in front of expected passionate parochial support at Eden Park.
“We know they are going to come out fast,” said Maguire. “We need to make sure we are ready from the start of the game.”
Samoa also have the advantage of a game under their belts, after last week’s 30-10 loss to Australia in Townsville. But the Kiwis should be able to match their forward firepower, allowing the structure provided by halves Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown to make the difference.
On Wednesday Maguire continued to deflect questions about his potential NSW State of Origin job next year, saying he planned to be in the New Zealand role for a “long time”.
“I’m extremely focussed on where we are now,” said Maguire. “We have worked extremely hard to make sure things are in place and I’m not going to let anything get in the way of that. Those things will be looked at down the track but my big focus is right now; we have a massive game on Saturday and it is a really important series for us.”
