Isaako Smashes New Zealand Record With 38 Points in Kiwis' 82-16 Rout of Cook Islands

Jamayne Isaako wrote his name into New Zealand rugby league history with a record 38-point haul as the Kiwis thrashed Cook Islands 82-16 in Christchurch. The veteran winger scored three tries and nailed 13 of his 14 conversion attempts, shattering the previous New Zealand record for most points in a Test match. The old mark of 32 points had been set by former Melbourne playmaker Tasesa Lavea, also in a World Cup pool game against Cook Islands, back in 2000. Isaako's spree also lifted him past Stacey Jones and Matthew Ridge into second place on New Zealand's all-time Test scoring list, with 189 points in just 16 Tests leaving only Shaun Johnson, on 225, ahead of him. Fellow Christchurch-born Kiwis star Tanner Stowers-Smith also enjoyed a memorable night, scoring two tries on his Test debut off the bench. Isaako, who this year became only the fourth player in NRL history to score 300 points in a season, played down the personal milestone, saying he does not play for accolades. But in front of family and friends in the city where his rugby league journey began, it was a homecoming to savour.