New Zealand 34 Lebanon 12, Rugby League World Cup reaction

Sydney Roosters star Joey Manu was to the fore as the Kiwis ran out 34-12 victors on a wet evening at The Halliwell Jones Stadium despite the Cedars having taken a shock lead.

Manu scored a brilliant second-half try and assisted two more, with former Warrington Wolves man Peta Hiku also on the scoresheet.

Joey Manu hands off a defender on his way to scoring. Picture by SWPix.com (Image: SWPix.com)

Kenny Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Dylan Brown and Jordan Rapana also touched down for tries in front of a low crowd of just over 5,000 fans.

Josh Mansour’s try got Lebanon off to a flying start while Wigan Warriors winger Abbas Miski flew over in the corner to give them the first score of the second half, but the underdogs finished the game with 12 men after Adam Doueihi’s red card for dissent.

Here’s some of our observations from the game…

Kiwis class shines through

Lebanon were brave and enterprising as they often thought outside the box with trick plays, but there was no denying New Zealand’s world-class talent in the end.

When things threatened to get uncomfortable for them in the second half, full-back Joey Manu grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

Two bits of individual brilliance in as many minutes saw him set up Dylan Brown for a walk-in before carving a try out for himself via a delightful chip and chase.

Joey Manu is congratulated after scoring. Picture by SWPix.com (Image: SWPix.com)

That broke a spirited Cedars side who until then were very much in the game and from there, their challenge faded with Adam Doueihi sent off for dissent.

Manu will get the headlines for breaking the game wide open, also assisting a try for Jordan Rapana while it was his crafty offload that allowed Kenny Bromwich to score before the break.

Hooker Brandon Smith also put in a lively display while prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona helped turn the tide New Zealand’s way when he entered the fray from the bench.

Warrington roots for the underdog

The crowd may not have been as high as people would have liked – more on that later – but there could have been no doubt as to whose side they were on.

Both of Lebanon’s scores were greeted with huge cheers while the reaction to New Zealand’s tries was much more subdued.

While the scoreline ended up blowing out against them, the Cedars gave the crowd plenty to root for with their willingness to be enterprising.

Whether it was ambitious offloads, short kick-offs or playing from deep inside their own half, nobody could accuse them of not having a go.

Lebanon's Josh Mansour is tackled. Picture by SWPix.com (Image: SWPix.com)

A happy return for Hiku and Price

The sight of Peta Hiku thundering across the HJ turf wearing the primrose and blue is one many Wire fans would give plenty to see again.

This may end up being the closest they would come, but it will nonetheless have been a happy occasion for the centre to be back on the ground where he spent a short but sweet spell back in 2017.

He was even able to mark the occasion with a first-half try, powering over from dummy-half after Manu had been held just short.

Peta Hiku scores for New Zealand. Picture by SWPix.com (Image: SWPix.com)

Former Wire head coach Steve Price was back in the coaching box too as part of the Kiwis’ coaching staff and was a popular sight among those in the crowd.

A concerning sight for organisers

When New Zealand landed in Warrington during the last World Cup on these shores nine years ago, The Halliwell Jones Stadium was as good as full to see them take on Samoa.

On this occasion, however, the terraces were half-empty in what will surely be a concerning sight for organisers.

The official gate of 5,453 flew in the face of the aim to play games in front of sold-out crowds in the game’s heartlands.

A Sunday night kick-off is a tricky one for anybody, not least those wanting a family evening out, but much of the blame appears to be laid at the door of steep ticket prices.

Warrington has had to wait a while to welcome the world’s best to its pride and joy, so in that sense it may have felt a little anti-climactic.