Jamayne Isaako set a new Kiwis record with 38 points as New Zealand ran in 14 tries to thrash Cook Islands 82-16 at the Rugby League World Cup in Christchurch on Sunday 25 October.
The Dolphins flyer scored a hat-trick and kicked 13 goals from 14 attempts at One NZ Stadium, breaking the previous Kiwis record of 32 points set by Tasesa Lavea against Cook Islands in 2000, NRL.com reported.
It was a homecoming for the Christchurch-born Isaako, who started his junior footy at the Aranui Eagles club in the city.
Esom Ioka hat-trick stuns the Kiwis
The Kiwis did not have it all their own way early. After Isaako and Ronaldo Mulitalo crossed in the opening six minutes, Cook Islands winger Esom Ioka scored three tries in eight minutes, two of them from intercepts, to put the Aitu in front 16-12 after 20 minutes.
From there it was one-way traffic. New Zealand piled on 70 unanswered points, leading 36-16 at half-time before scoring eight more tries in the second half.
Read more: Fiji Thrash Cook Islands 40-12 as Saifiti Scores at World Cup
Stowers-Smith double on Test debut
Warriors forward Tanner Stowers-Smith came off the bench to score twice on his Test debut, while centre Casey McLean and Mulitalo also bagged doubles. McLean now has 11 tries in six Tests, according to NRL.com.
Keano Kini, Scott Sorensen, Kodi Nikorima, Te Maire Martin and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad also scored for the Kiwis, according to the official match centre. Valentine Holmes kicked two goals for Cook Islands.
What’s next
The win gets New Zealand’s campaign back on track after their 24-22 loss to Australia in the tournament opener. The Kiwis play Fiji on the Gold Coast in Round 3, while Cook Islands head to Townsville to face defending champions Australia.
Read more: Kangaroos Team to Face Fiji: Tedesco Captains, Four to Debut
Final score: New Zealand 82 (Isaako 3, Stowers-Smith 2, McLean 2, Mulitalo 2, Kini, Sorensen, Nikorima, Martin, Nicoll-Klokstad tries; Isaako 13 goals) def Cook Islands 16 (Ioka 3 tries; Holmes 2 goals).
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