League: Kiwis open tour with victory

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored twice for the Kiwis. Photo / Getty

Kiwis 34
Leeds 16

This wasn't always the commanding performance some might have expected from the Kiwis, but is probably an ideal preparation ahead of the first test.

Stephen Kearney's men have opened their tour with a 34-16 victory over Leeds Rhinos, but it wasn't exactly one way traffic. The home side more than held their own for long periods - and held the lead with less than 30 minutes to play - before a New Zealand onslaught in the final quarter which delivered a stream of tries.

There was plenty of positives for the tourists. Issac Luke was in everything in his debut as captain, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looked especially sharp. Kodi Nikorima had an encouraging debut - creating havoc with his pace in the final quarter and the forward unit worked well for much of the match, especially in the second half.

Questions will remain over the organization and distribution without an experienced play maker in the halves. Tui Lolohea displayed some nice touches and Peta Hiku was busy but the Kiwis will need more structure next week against England, and their kicking game will also need to improve. Goal kicking may also be an issue, with only three of the seven tries converted.

For much of the first half the Kiwis looked rusty and at times disorganized. Many of their players hadn't played for weeks and it showed, as passes went to ground and hands were on hips. There were half breaks but they weren't completed while Leeds found profit out wide, especially on the left edge.

It was a festival celebratory occasion; Leeds were farewelling three legends - Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai, though only the New Zealander took the field with the others ruled out injured.

Leuluai, who is the most successful overseas player in the history of the Rhinos, almost got the fairytale start, barging over near the posts, only for the try to be called back for a forward pass.

Leeds' two guest players - 37-year-old Adrian Morley and former Warrior Ali Lauitiiti also made their presence felt early; Morley with a couple of his trademark collisions and Lauitiiti with some trademark offloads and a delicate chip that opened up the Kiwis defence.

Leeds made most of the early running and were only prevented from profit on the scoreboard by the brilliant anticipation of Tuivasa-Sheck, who came up with perfect one on one tackles on three occasions.

After both teams had opportunities, the Rhinos took a deserved lead in the 27th minute, former Warrior Joel Moon slipping through after a clever Danny McGuire grubber.

The Kiwis found some momentum late in the first half and Jason Nightingale - as he so often does - found his way over the try line after a short side raid. Luke was involved in everything in the first half and his break on the stroke of halftime found Jordan Kahu, who finished acrobatically centimetres inside the left half touchline.

That should have been the impetus for more, but Leeds found another gear early in the second half, with Moon again finding space where he shouldn't have to score. From there the Kiwis superior size and skill began to tell as they scored three tries in less than 10 minutes through Jesse Bromwich, Dean Whare and Tuivasa-Sheck to seal the result.

New Zealand 34 (J Nightingale, J Kahu, J Bromwich, D Whare, R Tuivasa-Sheck 2, K Nikorima tries; I Luke, T Lolohea 2 goals)

Leeds 16 (J Moon 2, T Briscoe tries; J Lilley 2 goals)
Halftime: 10-6

- By Michael Burgess at Headingley
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