Naiqama breaks down in beautiful post-match interview

Skipper Kevin Naiqama couldn't hold back the tears after leading his side to a stunning upset victory over New Zealand.

Fiji ended a miserable New Zealand run at the Rugby League World Cup, downing the Kiwis 4-2 in a gritty quarter-final upset in Wellington on Saturday.

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Just a week after falling 28-22 to Tonga, the Kiwis have been beaten by a second tier-two side in a low-scoring match they had never looked like winning.

Two penalty goals were enough to give the Bati a well-deserved win over a Kiwi team which never managed to get out of first gear.

Naiqama, who regularly wells up with tears during the national anthem, broke down after the match.

"I'm so proud of these boys, I had the utmost belief in them the moment we went into camp," said Naiqama.

"I never stopped believing."

NRL star Jarryd Hayne was also in tears after full-time as players hugged and celebrated the historic victory.

An error-ridden performance from the Kiwis was comprehensively punished by a Fijian outfit, who showed more pace, poise and precision than the lacklustre New Zealanders.

Fiji face the daunting task of toppling the Kangaroos in next weekend's Brisbane semi-final. Defending champions Australia thumped Samoa 46-0 in Friday night's quarter-final in Townsville.

with AAP