New Zealand await Mulitalo's fate

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Kalyn Ponga has resumed training two weeks after breaking his arm against Australia, and New Zealand coach Stacey Jones said he could play in next weekend's semi-final.

"He trained this week and we'll see where he's at next week," Jones said. "Again, just wait and see."

The Kiwis booked their semi-final place with a 78-0 defeat of Fiji, scoring 13 tries and converting every one through Jamayne Isaako.

Casey McLean crossed four times and Keano Kini scored twice as New Zealand controlled the match.

Fiji coach Mick Potter said his team had been outclassed.

"They were red hot, I thought, and especially in the first half," Potter said. "They were uncompromising and their attitude to the game I thought was special. They'll give the competition a shake."

New Zealand winger Ronaldo Mulitalo was sent off in the 52nd minute for a shoulder charge on Ronald Philitoga, leaving his World Cup availability uncertain.

Brandon Wakeham was also dismissed after punching Mulitalo during the confrontation that followed.

"We'll wait and see what it looks like, and then we'll go from there," Jones said. "But it's still early stages yet, so we'll have a look at it."

Philitoga was among three Fiji players who failed head injury assessments; captain Api Koroisau left in the 10th minute and went to hospital with a suspected facial fracture.

New Zealand recorded 1,670 run metres and 12 line breaks, while Fiji made 779 metres and missed 46 tackles.

Fiji's Jacob Saifiti praised the Kiwis' forward pack, while New Zealand's Naufahu Whyte was named player of the match after making 200 metres.

The Kiwis will meet either Samoa or Tonga in the semi-final.

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