Fiji chalked up more than 50 metres in that first set and then a clever kick in behind by Jarryd Hayne forces to New Zealand play out from their own 10.

Smart start by Mick Potter's mob.

Just a word on Wellington... doesn't look a big crowd in a big stadium.

Brian Foley: Just watching the beginning of the #RugbyLeague, external World Cup match between #NewZealand, external and #Fiji, external...NZ does their crazy haka (always cool) while #Fiji, external sings a song. Totally awesome

We've had the countdown, Matt Cecchin has tooted his whistle and we're underway. Fiji get the ball off the kick-off.

While we wait for this one to get underway, what a tussle it will be between Jarryd Hayne and Shaun Johnson.

Skill, speed, footwork. Bati six v Kiwi seven.

Place in the last four up for grabs. Big time.

Image source, Getty Images

Friday, 17 November

Australia 46-0 Samoa

Saturday, 18 November

Tonga 24-22 Lebanon

New Zealand v Fiji

Sunday, 19 November

England v Papua New Guinea

Really emotional stuff from the Fijians. Tears flowing down the face of Junior Roqica. Such a beautiful sound.

Lump in throat magic.

Contrast that with the raw crackle of the Haka. Superb stuff.

Image source, AFP

Adam Blair leading the Kiwi haka. Fearsome.

Image source, AFP

Best rendition I saw? Young lass in the crowd waving a Kiwis flag while her dad stood behind in a Fiji top. Divided loyalties right there.

As for the players, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, not only an absolute beast, but a fine anthem singer too.

Right, time for some cultural challenges.

Some emotional renditions there. Especially from the crowd. Lovely stuff.

Anthems and cultural challenges to come.

I love rugby league but I have to admit the best bit of these games has been the cultural challenges.

Here we go. Not long now, hopefully.

Image source, Getty Images

Teams are in the tunnel, ready to be greeted by a traditional Maori welcome.

Led out by members of the New Zealand defence forces.

It's business time, as that lovable Kiwi duo Flight of the Conchords once sang.

Ah, the Kangaroos v Samoa. It wasn't pleasant viewing, unless you're partial to a schooner of XXXX and wearing your cork hat while cuddling a koala. Only joking. We're better than naff stereotypes here.

Australia were irresistibly good and their execution was ruthless as it was at times beautiful. Samoa well and truly put to the sword. Val Holmes scored five?!

Don't take my word for it. Watch the highlights, and look out for Matt Gillett's divine moment of subtlety. He's a back-rower for goodness sake!

Image source, Getty Images

Noa Nadruku. Lote Tuqiri. Akuila Uate. Marika Koroibete. Semi Radradra. And, the latest to join an illustrious list. Suliasi Vunivalu.

All Fijian. All try-machines. All wingers of sensational repute. Vunivalu has set ridiculous standards even judged amongst that group.

Fijians might have winced when Radradra joined Koroibete in rugby union. However, the 21-year-old Vunivalu has returned with 46 tries in 47 NRL games with Melbourne and won a premiership. His Test record? Eight scores in just four matches.

Image source, Getty Images

The emergence of Tonga as a genuine threat and Papua New Guinea's explosive start to the tournament has slightly overshadowed Fiji's success.

Unbeaten so far, with 168 points scored. Semi-finalists in the past two tournaments, and possessing rugby league royalty such as Jarryd Hayne within their squad, the Bati are capable of springing a shock.

Yes, their draw was kind, they are yet to face a big name. But they have real quality.

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For all the disappointment surrounding New Zealand in defeat by Tonga, their attacking threat was a joy to watch.

The rubber-legged stepping of full-back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, elusive running of Shaun Johnson and the steam-train chug of bulldozing prop Jared Waerea Hargreaves... all key components.

Fiji will be wary of their quality.

Image source, Getty Images

New Zealand have worked hard for their position in the 'big three' alongside Australia and England, the tier one nations who have dominated the Rugby League World Cup in the modern era.

The Kiwis ended the Australian monopoly of the competition with their 2008 success and were even finalists in 2000 and 2013.

However, their pool stage defeat by Tonga in this tournament was a wake-up call of seismic proportions.

Is their place at the top table under threat?

Image source, Getty Images

New Zealand have never met Fiji at a Rugby League World Cup before, in fact they've never played a single Test against each other.

New territory then.

New Zealand have won 24 of 53 World Cup games, while Fiji have won nine of 18 matches in their tournament history.

Even Fiji's talismanic Jarryd Hayne, the joint top scorer in the men's World Cup history with 14, has failed to score against the Kiwis in his 12 tournament appearances with both Australia and Fiji.

He did score though on his Roos debut in 2007 against the Kiwis in a regular Test match.

Image source, Getty Images

An outstanding encounter ends with Tonga making the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

Cruel on Lebanon who had three tries disallowed. Tonga edge them 24-22. Two points in it.

We'll bring you a more considered report shortly. Game of the tournament so far for me.

Image source, Getty Images

David Kidwell gives his Kiwis side a couple of little tweaks, with Te Maire Martin coming in at stand-off for Kodi Nikorima - who drops to the bench while Danny Levi replaces Thomas Leuluai at hooker. Fiji are unsurprisingly unchanged from their win against Italy - they're one of four teams with a 100% record after the group stages.

New Zealand: Tuivasa-Sheck; Zelezniak, Whare, Takairangi, Rapana; Martin, Johnson; Taupau, Levi, Waerea-Hargreaves, Mannering, Tapine, Blair

Replacements: Asofa-Solomona, Packer, Liu, Nikorima

Fiji: Naiqama; Vunivalu, Milne, Uate, Montoya; Hayne, Raiwalui; Sims, Koroisau, Vunakece, Vikau, Wiliame, Kamikamica

Replacements: Lovodua, Saifiti, Roqica, Nakubuwai