NZ Kiwis have lived up to their world No.1 ranking, overwhelming newcomers Jamaica 68-6 to progress to the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals with another pool game still to come.
Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had an early hat-trick of tries, then added another in the second half, before hobbling off the field with cramp, while the dummy-half duo of Jeremy Marshall-King and Brandon Smith grabbed two apiece.
But the tournament debutants embarrassed their highly touted opponents with their kickoffs, repeatedly regaining possession with tactics that more accomplished teams are sure to adopt against New Zealand, as they enter the business end of the draw.
After a scratchy opening performance against Lebanon in their tournament opener, the Kiwis sought a more convincing showing against the Caribbean underdogs.
Their cause was not helped, when half Dylan Brown was a late withdrawal through illness, with Joseph Manu moved from fullback, where he was replaced by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Watene-Zelezniak and centre Peta Hiku created immediate havoc down the right side of the park, accounting for their team's first four tries, and by halftime, New Zealand enjoyed a 34-0 advantage.
Without a specialist in their ranks, the Kiwis appointed veteran half Kieran Foran to goalkicking duties and he showed why he rarely kicks for his NRL club, spraying conversion attempts left, right and centre to place a ceiling on their scoring explosion.
Earlier in the week, New Zealand struggled with Lebanon's use of contestable kickoffs and Jamaica took that strategy to the next level, showing their rivals had not worked out a solution.
As a result, the Caribbeans enjoyed many attacking opportunities, but too often frittered them away with early kicks in general play, which the Kiwis found easier to defuse.
On the stroke of halftime, Marshall-King chased a kick from Watene-Zelezniak to score his first try, then added a second in almost identical fashion in the second half, before his winger scored his fourth.
Watene-Zelezniak run so often and so far, he eventually went down with cramp, barely making the corner for his last try, and was subbed off. Smith scored his pair to cap off the NZ scoring effort.
But Jamaica had the last laugh, creating history with their first-ever World Cup try, as a kick finally paid off, spilled by Smith and bouncing away from Manu for fullback Ben Jones-Bishop to score.
New Zealand must still face Ireland in pool play next Saturday, before a knockout crossover that should pit them against Fiji, who beat them at the same stage five years ago.
New Zealand 68 (Watene-Zelezniak 4, Marshall-King 2, Smith 2, Niukore, Kris, Nicoll-Klokstad, Nikora & Hiku tries; Foran 6 conversions, Watene-Zelezniak 2 conversions) Jamaica 6 (Jones-Bishop try; Rush conversion)
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