Match Report
In the standings it was Samoa 4th on 0 points, New Zealand 1st on 9 — separated by 9. Samoa had been under-performing their position — 8th on five-round form against 4th in the table. Against a league average of 2.13 goals per team per game, Samoa ran at 0.33 scored and 5 conceded, New Zealand at 6.33 and 0.33.
New Zealand had won three straight. Samoa had banked 3 of the last 15 points on offer; New Zealand, 10.
The venue was Mount Smart Stadium in Penrose. New Zealand led 3-0 at the break, and the second half added 5 goals for the 0-8 full-time score.
Goal scorers
New Zealand: Callum McCowatt (24'), Chris Wood (28'), Chris Wood (34'), Chris Wood (60'), Marko Stamenić (62'), Francis de Vries (75'), Elijah Just (87'), Ben Waine (90')