Four Nations: Consistency eludes Kiwis

Shaun Kenny-Dowall of New Zealand dives over to score a try during the Four Nations match between the New Zealand Kiwis and Samoa. Photo / Getty Images.

Consistency and composure remain elusive qualities for Stephen Kearney's Kiwis side following their narrow escape over a determined and committed Samoan outfit in Whangarei today.

Both Kearney and Kiwis captain Simon Mannering spoke during the lead-up about the need to start well at Toll Stadium after last weekend's sluggish opening quarter against the Kangaroos.

However, for the second week in a row they conceded first points and looked off the pace during an error-ridden display.

Hopes were high that the Kiwis would be better off following last week's initial hit-out, with many players lacking match-fitness, but despite having had a full week to hone combinations their cohesion was poor.

At least six prime attacking chances went begging, with pushed passes and sloppy handling seeing the ball shoveled out wide with little accuracy, while halves Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran's kicking earned just three repeat sets.

Last week the Kiwis recovered well and found their rhythm through the second quarter but today's lackluster effort saw them take a backward step.

They seemed to lose confidence as the game progressed before urgency finally arrived in their play inside the final quarter.

The forward effort failed to match the dynamic and relentless standards of the Suncorp Stadium showing and the bench players were unable to lift the side's energy levels as they had in Brisbane.

Props Jesse Bromwich and Whangarei hometown boy Adam Blair's offloads were greatly reduced and Mannering, Kevin Proctor and the powerful Jason Taumalolo were well contained.

Hooker Issac Luke showed some good touches in his first match after a month-long layoff, but the Kiwis' nine, seven and six combinations were given little room to work in.

Johnson, so confident and assured against Australia, took an age to get involved and rarely ran the ball until the game was on the line.

Foran tried hard and did well to earn his side's first try, but neither of the little men were able to function effectively behind a pack that struggled to assert themselves.

The Kiwis reliance on second-man attacking plays looked predictable against the rushing line of blue, and the Kiwis midfielders Dean Whare and Shaun Kenny-Dowall were kept quiet by Samoa's up-and-in umbrella defence.

Despite some handling woes, try-scoring wing Manu Vatuvei was a strong performer and was also effective in the middle of the park and fullback Peta Hiku warmed up after a tentative first couple of touches.

The Kiwis will know they have used up their get-out-of-jail card while Samoa will be ruing a second missed opportunity in as many weeks.

New Zealand will need to correct their deficiencies before next Saturday's Dunedin showdown with England or their hopes of winning the tournament on home soil will be short-lived.