[1] Benji Marshall A Benji Marshall-inspired New Zealand secured their opening victory of the Four Nations with a 36-0 win over Wales in the opening game of Saturday's double-header at Wembley Stadium.
Marshall, who was well contained by Australia in last week's 26-12 defeat at Warrington, was in irresistible form against a gallant, but limited Welsh outfit, having a hand in all five of his side's first-half tries.
Jason Nightingale started the procession with a try in the fifth minute following a neat inside pass from the Kiwi skipper, who then missed the conversion.
Marshall was the orchestrator again seven minutes, providing a delicious pass for the onrushing Kevin Locke to score in the corner.
The Welsh did not let the Kiwis have it all their own way, five-eighth Lee Briers almost teed up Elliot Kear with a well-weighted grubber-kick, but the winger just couldn't his hands to the ball.
Sika Manu then ran in two quick tries, the second coming from a towering Marshall kick, which fooled the Welsh defence and the Melbourne man darted over to score.
Gerard Beale gave the world champions a comfortable halftime lead when he trotted over the line from following Alex Glenn's swift pass.
The Welsh continued their committed approach after the interval, with prop Craig Kopczak producing the biggest hit of the match on Nathan Fien.
Iestyn Harris' side also showed some flashes of creativity, but were let down by their final pass, with Kear twice breaking the line, only to give the ball away.
Beale added his second midway through the second half, before Fien added some extra gloss to the scoreline with a soft try two minutes from time, with Marshall kicking his fourth goal of the goal from in front of the posts.
The victory sets the world champions up nicely for next Saturday's big clash with England in Hull.
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