Rugby League: Kiwi Ferns prevail over spirited Fetu Samoa in Auckland

The Kiwi Ferns have claimed a commanding 46-8 win over Fetu Samoa in their women's rugby league international in Auckland.

The Ferns outscored their opponents nine tries to two at Mount Smart Stadium, with centre Kiana Takairangi, and captain Honey Hireme both grabbing braces for New Zealand.

Rugby League: Kiwi Ferns prevail over spirited Fetu Samoa in Auckland

New Kiwi Ferns coach Justin Moran would have been pleased with the lopsided win, but disappointed with how his team switched off at times while blowing great chances to score points.

In the end, Samoa, who were playing their first international rugby test since 2011, were simply no match for New Zealand.

The Kiwi girls came out firing to start the match, scoring five tries in the opening 27 minutes, before the game evened out to end the first half, which saw Samoa rewarded with a late try.

Takairangi scored the game's opening four-pointer in the second minute and the former Cook Island international soon scored her second minutes later.

Captain Honey Hireme then crossed for New Zealand's third after a dazzling run which started inside the Ferns' half.

Tries to second-row forward Kathleen Wharton and half Raecene McGregor made the score 26-0, but as New Zealand began to hit their stride, errors started to creep in, and Samoa finally got some attacking ball inside the Ferns' half.

Samoa eventually found their way over the line when Billy-Jean Ale crashed over, just before halftime.

The Pacific Island nation continued their hot start in the second half, first forcing New Zealand into making an error when they looked like scoring before winger Moana Fineaso-Levi scored a stunning try in the corner.

But as Samoa appeared to be gaining momentum, the Kiwi Ferns found their mojo again, scoring three more tries in the space of seven minutes.

Hireme scored her second of the game, which was quickly followed by a four-pointer to winger Madison Bartlett before Nita Maynard scampered her way over from dummy half.

Fullback Apii Nicholls put the icing on the cake in the 73rd minute, when she scored New Zealand's ninth and final try.

The match was just the second time New Zealand and Samoa have met in a women's match, which the Kiwi Ferns won 26-4 at the 2008 Women's Rugby League World Cup.

Newshub.