Rugby League: Kiwis welcome dry spell with points deluge

7.45am

CARDIFF - The Kiwis finally produced a convincing dress rehearsal ahead of their three-test rugby league series against Great Britain with a nine-try, 50-22 crushing of Wales at a pitifully populated Millennium Stadium in Cardiff today.

Wales had closed to 12-10 after half an hour but the Kiwis ran rampant in the second half, piling on six unanswered tries before two late scores saved the home side from a potentially record defeat before just 8617 spectators.

With the roof closed at the 74,000 seat stadium, the Kiwis clearly relished their first outing in dry over head conditions although the ground was still soft.

The Kiwis were never in danger despite having to contend with the last-minute withdrawal through illness of fullback David Vaealiki and the temporary loss of hooker Richard Swain to the sinbin for a late charge on Wales captain Lee Briers in the 31st minute.

English referee Steve Ganson yellow-carded the impressive dummy half after intervention from touch judge Steve Wright.

Kiwis coach Gary Freeman said the incident would not be taken any further, clearing Swain to play the opening test against Great Britain at Blackburn's Ewood Park on Sunday (NZT).

Ruben Wiki, who filled in at centre after Vaealiki's pulled out with flu, could be in doubt after injuring a thumb. He was taken to hospital for a precautionary X-ray after the game.

The Kiwis built an early 12-point lead through tries to Francis Meli -- who went on to complete a hat-trick -- and Swain but Wales, sorely missing absent captain Keiron Cunningham, rallied in the second quarter.

Briers landed two penalties and a 26th-minute break-out try to wing Hefin O'Hare -- the only Welsh-born player in the side.

The O'Hare try was a double blow for the Kiwis, who a minute earlier had a legitimate try by Nigel Vagana ruled out by Ganson, who wrongly ruled the centre had lost the ball as he touched down.

Ganson did not consult video referee Gerry Kershaw and Briers took immediate advantage with a chip from the 20m restart, catching the Kiwis unaware.

O'Hare eventually finished off the move out wide after Meli was caught in no man's land.

Swain departed five minutes later but the Kiwis were not disadvantaged as rookie five-eighth Lance Hohaia polished off a trademark David Solomona offload and Tony Puletua bust the defence to score by the posts and give the visitors an 18-10 lead at the break.

Captain Stacey Jones, who suffered a bruised cheekbone in a strong challenge from wing Chris Smith late in the first spell, opened the floodgates in the 48th minute when he dummied over for his first try of the tour.

"He got his head cleared after that knock and he started to come good. He probably had his best game so far, his running to the line was good today," Freeman said.

Jones was named man of the match, although interchange forwards Puletua, Solomona and prop Jerry SeuSeu also had impressive performances.

Interchange forward Logan Swann scored twice while fullback Robbie Paul and Meli also shredded the tiring Welsh defence as the Kiwis cracked 50 points with 10 minutes remaining.

Bookies gave Wales a 36-point head start and appeared to be on the money until Kris Tassell and replacement Paul Atcheson scored to save Wales from a repeat of their 40-point drubbing the last times the sides met at the 2000 World Cup here.

Freeman described the performance as pleasing a week out from the first British test.

"It was our most consistent performance. The confidence is there and is was a good stepping-stone."

The dry conditions were an obvious bonus, aiding the Kiwis' entertaining style of play.

"It was great to see those passes come off and the handling. It was nice to have a dry paddock for a change," Freeman said.

When Vaealiki was ruled out, Paul moved to fullback, Wiki replaced him at centre from the second row where his place was taken by Awen Guttenbeil, who was originally on the bench.

Swann was brought on to the interchange bench.

The victory was the Kiwis sixth in nine encounters with Wales dating back to 1908.

The Kiwis head back to Leeds tomorrow with Freeman expected to name his test line-up on Thursday. Centre Clinton Toopi is expected to have fully recovered from a chest injury suffered against England A last Wednesday.

Kiwis: 50 (Francis Meli 3, Logan Swann 2, Richard Swain, Lance Hohaia, Stacey Jones, Robbie Paul tries; Swain 6 goals, Hohaia goal)

Wales: 22 (Hefin O'Hare, Kris Tassell, Paul Atcheson tries; Lee Briers 5 goals)

Referee: Steve Ganson (England)

Halftime: 18-10.

Crowd: 8746

- NZPA