Rugby League: Second-half demolition of Wales

By CHRIS BARCLAY in Cardiff

The weather may have been an aberration, but the Kiwis are confident they can continue to produce the type of performance that put paid to any prospect of Wales ending the tourists' unbeaten record on their tour of Britain and France.

Playing under artificial conditions yesterday with the roof closed over the Millennium Stadium, the Kiwis scored nine tries - including a hat-trick to wing Francis Meli - to emerge comfortable 50-22 winners over a Wales side missing inspirational skipper Keiron Cunningham.

Even if the Great Britain hooker had played, it was unlikely that he would have stemmed the Kiwis' flow of points in the second half when they ran in six unanswered tries to extend their halftime lead from 18-10 to 50-10.

Wales had the final say, with late tries through Kris Tassell and Paul Atcheson salvaging some respectability before a meagre crowd of 8716 in the 74,000-seat stadium.

Although the Kiwis are not expecting to encounter dry conditions in the three tests against Great Britain, veteran forward Stephen Kearney believed they were still equipped to win back-to-back series. Four years ago they won two tests and drew the third.

"We know the conditions for the Great Britain matches will possibly be similar to those we've endured in the first three games, but if we set a good platform we can come home strong. We've won four from four so we're happy," Kearney said.

The Kiwis forged an early 12-point buffer before Wales, with the assistance of English referee Steve Ganson, narrowed the lead to two points.

Ganson ruled out what appeared a legitimate try to Nigel Vagana and from the resulting restart, Hefin O'Hare finished off a sweeping movement for the first Wales try.

Captain Lee Briers converted and kicked two penalties, including one after falling victim to a late charge by Richard Swain in the 31st minute, resulting in the hooker being sinbinned.

However, the setbacks were minor as captain and man-of-the-match Stacey Jones took a prominent role in the second half, scoring the opening salvo of a 38-point burst which had the outcome guaranteed by the final quarter.

"We built a good platform in the first 15-20 minutes when Paul [Rauhihi] and Jerry [SeuSeu] got us some good go-forward, and we did the same at the start of the second half," Kearney said.

"We knew if we kept up enough pressure, things would open up for us in the back end of the game."

Wales coach Neil Kelly was suitably impressed with the Kiwis, although he would have to consult the long-range weather forecast before tipping a winner of the Great Britain series which starts at Ewood Park in Blackburn on Sunday.

"I think it's going to be a tight, exciting series. If New Zealand fire on all cylinders they'll probably start as slight favourites, but the weather could even things up.

"They've copped a bit of flak for the nature in which they've won their early games, but they've toughed them out."

Kelly expected his side to struggle in the second half, with many of the team playing their first match in at least six weeks.

"Stacey Jones carved us up for 15 minutes, and they got the dry track they wanted.

"They were desperate for the roof to be closed, and they showed glimpses of the qualities they've got with ball in hand. The second-phase play was fantastic."

Ali Lauiti'iti, David Solomona and second rower-cum-centre Tony Puletua all contributed excellent offloads to stretch the Wales backline, while Jones teased the defence with darting runs that produced tries to fullback Robbie Paul and replacement forward Logan Swann (2).

Freeman said playmaker Jones sparked after copping a blow on the right cheek five minutes before halftime.

"He got his head cleared after that knock and started to come good," said Freeman, who added the blow was not serious.

However, veteran Ruben Wiki was a casualty and needed x-rays to assess damage to his right thumb. The extent of the injury should be known today.

Original fullback David Vaealiki and 18th man Jason Cayless were struck down by the flu and although they went to the ground, both returned to the team hotel before the final whistle to rest.

The Kiwis head back to Leeds today and will train tomorrow.

- NZPA