19 Oct 2008

Kiwis beat Tonga in World Cup warm-up match

11:44 am on 19 October 2008

The Kiwi rugby league team has beaten Tonga 56-8 in a World Cup warm-up match in Auckland.

The Kiwis started strongly, scoring four first-half tries to lead 22-0 at the break.

The Tongans had their best period of the match after half time and scored one of their two tries, but the home side then finished off with another six tries.

Jerome Roptai scored three tries, while Benji Marshall and Jason Nightingale scored two each.

The Kiwis open their World Cup campaign next Sunday against Australia in Sydney.