Wales 0 New Zealand 36: Impressive Marshall calling the shots as Kiwis shut out Wales

THERE was never any chance New Zealand would suffer a repeat of their one and only previous Wembley appearance.

Back in 1993, they failed to even score as they endured a 17-0 defeat to Great Britain but this time they inflicted the same shut-out on a spirited but ultimately out-classed Wales.

Having forced four drop-outs inside the opening 12 minutes, and with the brilliantly creative Benji Marshall at his maverick best, it was clear the points would come flowing.

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England know they must somehow contain the dynamic stand-off this Saturday or risk failing to reach the Gillette Four Nations final for a second year running. It will be easier said than done. Marshall’s creativity had been at the heart of four of the Kiwis’ first-half tries as they built up a 26-0 interval lead.

The pick of them was from young full-back Kevin Locke, another potent threat, who latched onto a gloriously-executed inside pass from Marshall to ease around opposite number Danny Jones as if he were not there.

Jones, the Halifax stand-off playing full-back for his country, endured a torturous opening as Marshall’s stellar kicks kept raining down at him, followed up by marauding Kiwi chasers.

But he and the whole Welsh side improved, with Bradford Bulls prop Craig Kopczak in particular enhancing his growing reputation courtesy of a rugged and commanding display.

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Lee Briers is seen as the inspiration in this Dragons side but the rangy front-row is fast becoming their unlikely hero.

He built on a dominant display against England with an eye-catching one here, not least for a shuddering hit on Sam McKendry which left the Penrith prop with a broken jaw, and another rollicking break. He even managed to charge down the previously untouchable Marshall.

It is a pity Wales, back here for the first time since 1933 and with Bradford-bound winger Elliot Kear always threatening, could not gain any reward for their brave endeavours, Briers’s promptings just missing a finish.

The same could not be said of New Zealand. Marshall’s dabbed kick for Jason Nightingale’s opener was simple but frighteningly effective.

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A lofted effort saw Silka Manu get his second after bumping off Briers for his first and then Marshall danced down the blindside to set in motion a Gerard Beale score.

Wigan hooker Thomas Leuluai celebrated drawing level with his father, the former Hull great James, on 29 Kiwi caps by creating Beale’s second on 62 minutes and then breaking clear to feed Nathan Fien at the end.

Wales coach Iestyn Harris said: “New Zealand will tell you it was a physical contest – we just lacked some composure. We’re hoping the guys will now have more confidence they can play at this level a little more.”

Briers was over-critical of his own display but had the last word. When asked whose Kiwi jersey he swapped with, he deadpanned: “Benji Marshall wanted mine, so I gave it to him.”

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Wales: Jones; Kear, Webster, Roets, Williams; Briers, White; James, Budworth, Dudson, Frizzell, Beasley, Flower. Substitutes: Watson, Bracek, Divorty, Kopczak.

England: Locke; Beale, Brown, Glenn, Nightingale; Marshall, Foran; McKendry, Leuluai, Matulino, Manu, Blair, Smith. Substitutes: Fien, Waerea-Hargreaves, Moimoi, Taylor.

Referee: Matt Cecchin (Australia).