New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has some concerns heading into the quarter-finals after star enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was sin-binned — and picked up an injury — in the Kiwis’48-10 win over Ireland.
Waerea-Hargreaves, who missed the first two pool games through suspension, collected Ireland’s Dan Norman high with a swinging arm and was given his marching orders.
He returned to the field in the second half but didn’t last long before coming off with what he thought was a “slight strain in his hamstring,” according to sideline reporter Jenna Brooks.
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Although New Zealand were far from their best, halfback Jahrome Hughes returned from a leg injury in style, scoring a double and having a hand in three more tries before getting an early mark.
The Storm superstar kicked off the scoring in the 14th minute with his own four-pointer and just five minutes later put up a pinpoint cross-field kick for Jordan Rapana to score in the corner untouched.
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He then kicked a grubber for Peta Hiku to extend New Zealand’s lead.
Ireland kept themselves in the game when Louis Senior intercepted Briton Nikora’s pass to score — the Sharks second-rower was forced to play out of position in the centres.
But the Kiwis responded instantly as Hughes stepped a couple of players before passing to Hiku to score his second.
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Ireland were given a golden opportunity three minutes before half time when Waerea-Hargreaves was sin-binned but spoiled it with an error. Who else but Hughes was there to scoop the ball up to pass to Dylan Brown, who got it away to an unmarked Ronaldo Mulitalo to score.
Rapana bagged a second try in what could be considered a questionable call given video replays showed his boot brushing the sideline.
A rampaging James Fisher-Harris then extended New Zealand’s lead, running straight through tired defence, before Hughes scored a similar try five minutes later.
Veteran playmaker Kieran Foran slotted in at halfback after Hughes was given a rest and wasted not time, setting Kenny Bromwich up with a cross-field kick.
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Ireland got their second try of the game — through Senior again — who took his tally to six World Cup tries. Senior drove Mulitalo back into the in-goal and forced an error allowing the Irish winger to ground the ball.
But New Zealand hit back as Joey Manu scored in the final two minutes.
While New Zealand cruised through the clash, their goalkicking is something to be concerned about heading into the business end of the World Cup. Rapana handed the duties over to Dylan Brown during the first half and between the two of them they only got four conversions from 10 attempts.
Hughes had his thigh iced at the end of the game but he said it was just precautionary.
