Player ratings from New Zealand's 42-24 win over Samoa in their opening match of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
NEW ZEALAND
1. Josh Hoffman – The Kiwis custodian scored a try and created two others for teammates in an error-free performance. 8
2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – Set up Simon Mannering's first try before scoring one himself with a superb diving, one-handed effort. Finished with six tackle breaks and was a constant threat on the right wing. 8
3. Dean Where – Combined brilliantly with Tuivasa-Sheck on the right flank, making seven runs for 105 metres plus two line breaks and another couple of line-break assists. 8
4. Bryson Goodwin – Was targeted in defence, making 17 tackles but missing six, and produced a couple of errors in attack. 6.5
5. Manu Vatuvei – The 'Beast' was at his brutal best, scoring a hat-trick and running 12 times for 117 metres. 8
6. Kieran Foran – Produced a try assist, hit hard in defence as usual and controlled the kicking game well. 7.5
7. Shaun Johnson – Barely ran at the Samoan defence all match but he did produce a great inside ball to send Simon Mannering over for his second. 7
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves – The best of the Kiwis' forwards, making 18 hit-ups for a game-high 165 metres, although his aggressiveness did cost his team a couple of penalties. 8
9. Issac Luke – Burrowed over for a try from dummy-half, ran for more than 100 metres and did plenty of work in defence with 28 tackles. 8
15. Sam Moa – Grabbed a starting spot ahead of Jesse Bromwich but was busier in defence than attack. 7
11. Frank Pritchard – A solid performance from the veteran back-rower, albeit not as destructive as some of his teammates. 7
12. Sonny Bill Williams – Spectacularly bombed a sitter by slipping over the dead-ball line while attempting to touch down,but did produce two offloads that sent teammates into space on the way to tries plus four tackle breaks, a line break and 24 tackles. 8
13. Simon Mannering – The skipper scored a double and led the Kiwi tackle count with 33. 8
10. Jesse Bromwich – The Storm prop was effective with and without the ball, running 10 times for 98 metres while making 18 tackles and missing none. 7.5
14. Elijah Taylor – Was solid if unspectacular in his limited time off the bench. 6
16. Sam Kasiano – Defended well but only made two hit-ups off the bench. 6
17. Frank-Paul Nuuausala – Provided real impact, with two tackle busts and a line break. 7.5
SAMOA
1. Anthony Milford – Looked dangerous when he got his hands on the ball but lacked a bit of chemistry with halves Reni Maitua and Ben Roberts. 7
2. Antonio Winterstein – Scored an early try for Samoa but otherwise had a limited impact on the wing. 6
3. Junior Sa'u – The burly centre got heavily involved with 10 runs for 102 metres. 7.5
4. Joey Leilua – The Samoans' most dangerous outside back with 13 carries, five tackle breaks, a try and an offload, Leilua also coughed up a couple of errors and two penalties. 7.5
5. Daniel Vidot – Ran the ball out from his own end strongly but made a couple of missed tackles as Tuivasa-Sheck and Whare ran riot. 7
6. Reni Maitua – A quiet performance from the Samoan pivot. 6
7. Ben Roberts – Fended off Sam Moa to score a hard-earned try, kicked an impressive 40/20 and finished with four tackle breaks and a try assist. 7.5
8. David Fa'alogo – Provided good go-forward and got through plenty of defensive work with 29 tackles. 7.5
9. Pita Godinet – Led his team's defensive workload and provided a try assist and a couple of offloads. 7.5
10. Suaia Matagi – Crashed over for a true prop's try, didn't miss a tackle and was Samoa's only forward to notch a century of run metres. 8
11. Iosia Soliola – A solid performance from the big former Rooster. 7
12. Frank Winterstein – The least effective of the starting Samoan pack. 6
13. Suaso Sue – A typically busy display from the boom Tigers lock, with eight carries, a couple of tackle busts and 27 tackles. 7
14. Peni Manumalealii – Got limited game-time when finally given a chance in the second-half, but still managed to come up with a try. 6
15. Leeson Ah Mau – Made 14 tackles and a couple of tackle busts during Samoa's second-half comeback. 7
16. Mark Tafua – Got through 12 carries and 20 hit-ups off the bench. 7
17. Mose Masoe – The big St Helens-bound forward looked dangerous with the ball, drawing in plenty of defenders. 7
