Jarryd Hayne has dominated in his first game with the Fiji team

JARRYD Hayne was the catalyst behind an emphatic Fiji victory in their opening Rugby League World Cup encounter against the USA.

Fiji ran riot against the USA in their opening encounter.

JARRYD Hayne showcased that he is one of the better rugby league players on the planet as he dominated in his first outing with the Fiji team.

Fiji flexed their muscles in Townsville, running out 58-12 winners over the USA.

The Americans were outmatched by the Bati, who were boosted by a host of NRL players including Jarryd Hayne, Suliasi Vunivalu and Taane Milne.

A historic belting looked on the cards after Fiji raced out to an early lead but the USA never gave up the fight and were rewarded with tries to Matt Shipway and Junior Vaivai.

Hayne, playing as the teams five-eighth, continually set his teammates up for linebreaking runs, multiple try assists and even crossed the line himself for a try.

Fans were quick to praise the Hayne Plane after his first outing and helping get the Fijian World Cup run off on the right foot as they went on to win 58-12.

Along with the outstanding play of Hayne, Fiji captain Kevin Naiqama led from the front continuously broke tackles and crossed the line for two tries.

Hayne just a different class, feel sorry for USA here

— Tom Lea (@T0MxXxL34) October 28, 2017

Without doubt Hayne at five eighth is making a difference tonight. Fiji 26-0 after 18 minutes. #FIJvUSA #RLWC2017

— Rick Eyre on Sport (@the_scoreline) October 28, 2017

The Hayne train is all over the map tonight. Fiji scores their 5th try in the opening 17 minutes..😯 KTC

— Toronto Wolfpack (@TOwolfpack) October 28, 2017

Jarryd Hayne having a wonderful game, deserved that try #RLWC2017

— Chris Kennedy (@CKennedy80) October 28, 2017

Fiji flexed their muscles in Townsville, running out 58-12 winners over the USA.

The Americans were outmatched by the Bati, who were boosted by a host of NRL players including Jarryd Hayne, Suliasi Vunivalu and Taane Milne.

A historic belting looked on the cards after Fiji raced out to an early lead but the USA never gave up the fight and were rewarded with tries to Matt Shipway and Junior Vaivai.

KIWIS CRUISE CONTROL VICTORY

It was party central for the Kiwis against Samoa.

New Zealand have kicked off their Rugby League World Cup campaign with a bang, blitzing Samoa in the second half of their Rugby League World Cup clash to win 38-8 in Auckland.

Despite an ill-disciplined performance in which they made 17 errors and completed barely 60 per cent of their sets, the Kiwis were too good on Saturday for their Polynesian rivals.

Riding out Toa Samoa’s early crash-and-bash style and heading into halftime with a 10-4 advantage, the Kiwis piled on five tries to one in the second half.

Shaun Johnson, capitalising on strong pack performances from Marty Taupau and Russell Packer, controlled play at halfback with aplomb.

He scored a try and laid on two assists as his side made an early play for top spot in Pool B, with Scotland and a much-vaunted Tonga to play on Sunday.

Despite Jordan Rapana’s early Kiwis try, Toa Samoa took the match to their opponents early, dominating in the tackle and forcing plenty of mistakes.

While David Kidwell’s troops frequently shot themselves in the foot, their more- expansive style and obvious endeavour eventually paid dividends.

Johnson bagged his side’s second of the night in the 20th minute, capitalising on a Simon Mannering offload, before Kiwi-born Samoan winger Ken Maumalo pegged one back for his side with a well-worked move down the left edge.

But Samoa’s joy proved short-lived.

The Kiwis ran riot in the second half as a visibly fatigued Samoan outfit wilted, with tries to Kodi Nikorima, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Test debutants Brad Takairangi, Isaac Liu and Nelson Asofa-Solomona ending the match as a contest.

Joseph Paulo scored a last-second Samoan consolation.

On a sour note for the Kiwis, however, centre Gerard Beale picked up a serious ankle injury and was forced off on a stretcher in the second half.

The Test was New Zealand’s first on home soil since 2014.

— AAP

BITING INCIDENT STEALS HEADLINES

Wellington Albert scores another try in PNG’s big win.

Papua New Guinea have routed Wales 50-6 in a historic Rugby League World Cup match in Port Moresby.

The Kumuls were far too slick and physical for the visitors on Saturday in front of 14,800 frenzied fans at the National Football Stadium, recording their first victory against the Dragons.

The match was marred by biting allegations from Welsh players against prop Stanton Albert in the first half.

Skipper David Mead crossed for a hat-trick, while second-rower Rhyse Martin scored 18 points with two tries and five conversions.

PNG, hosting their first World Cup match, sent the sellout crowd into delirium in the 5th minute when Mead scored for the home side after a clever pass from Ase Boas.

The Welsh struggled to halt the Kumuls’ dominance, with the Boas brothers, Ase and Watson, pulling the strings for the hosts in the halves.

Most of the first half was played deep in Welsh territory as the Kumuls continually made easy metres through the middle.

Winger Garry Lo and fullback Mead each ran for more than 100 metres in the first half, as the Dragons wilted in the hot and humid conditions. Brisbane NRL player Mead crossed again in the 10th minute off an Ase Boas inside ball.

Ase Boas missed both his conversion attempts and Martin took over the duties midway through the first stanza.

Centre Nene Macdonald scored in the 23rd minute and tries to Kato Ottio and Albert before the break allowed the Kumuls to head into the sheds with a 26-0 lead.

The Kumuls picked up where they left off in the second half, with Martin scoring his double.

Tries to Justin Olam and Mead, followed by a converted try to Paul Aiton nine minutes from the end brought up the 50-point mark.

Wales scored a consolation try after the full-time siren to winger Regan Grace.

With matches at home against Ireland and USA in the next two weeks, PNG will be confident of topping their pool and advancing to the quarter-finals.

— AAP