New Zealand 56 Papua New Guinea 10: Kiwis show no mercy in crushing World Cup victory

New Zealand's Alex Glenn, centre, is tackled by Papua New Guineas Dion Aiye, right, and Charlie Wabo (PA)

The World Cup holders, New Zealand, completed their group games with a 100 per cent record, beating Papua New Guinea by a crushing 56-10 at Headingley tonight with Sonny Bill Williams scoring a hat-trick of tries.

The Kiwis took an early lead with tries from Bryson Goodwin and two from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as the Kumuls failed to compete in their farewell appearance.

Williams tormented PNG with his off-loads and scored the next two tries, with others coming from Frank-Paul Nu'uausala and Williams again before half-time.

Dion Ayew got one back for the much improved Kumuls, to the delight of the 18,000 Leeds crowd, before further tries for New Zealand from Dean Whare (two) and Elijah Taylor and a last minute PNG effort from Wellington Albert.

The Kiwis will now meet Scotland or Italy in the quarter-finals next weekend.