Joey Manu stuns fans with 'ridiculous' act at Rugby League World Cup

Joey Manu has produced a dazzling second-half display to put Lebanon to the sword as New Zealand kicked off their Rugby League World Cup campaign in impressive fashion.

The Kiwis, powered by the Manu's devastating display at fullback, were made to work for their 34-12 victory on Sunday in Warrington.

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But the match was turned on its head when Adam Doueihi was sent off in the second half for an apparent spray towards referee Grant Atkins.

Manu then took full control and his solo effort - where he scooted from 40 metres out, waltzed past four Lebanese defenders, chipped and regathered for himself - was an early contender for try of the tournament.

"He has shown throughout his career that he can come up with those plays," Kiwis coach Michael Maguire said, adding his side needed to be better at sticking to script.

"We put a bit of pressure on at times but we just didn't stay at it long enough to be able to put (more) points on."

Doueihi's dismissal was a sorry end to a game which at one point looked like it could provide an unlikely upset after an opening weekend of blowout results.

The Cedars were gallant against the heavily fancied Kiwis after scoring the first try through Josh Mansour.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich and Peta Hiku hit back for New Zealand before Lebanon winger Abbas Miski cut the deficit to 18-12 at the 50-minute mark.

But any hope of a comeback was quelled by tries for Dylan Brown and Manu, with Doueihi's dismissal coming shortly afterwards.

Winger Jordan Rapana, who kicked five goals from six attempts for the Kiwis, rounded out the victory with a late try.

But it was the performance of Manu that had the rugby league world talking, with the Roosters centre shining at his preferred position of fullback.

Michael Cheika speaks out about Adam Doueihi's send-off

Doueihi's second-half dismissal could lead to him being ruled out of further World Cup group games.

The Cedars face Ireland next in a match that shapes as a shoot-out for a quarter-final berth.

Lebanon had kicked off in the 60th minute when NRL referee Atkins halted play and ordered Doueihi off the field at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Lebanon coach Michael Cheika described Doueihi's dissent as an "accumulation of frustration" over what he felt was Atkins' failure to effectively police New Zealand's play-the-balls and kick-blocking tactics.

The Wests Tigers playmaker's outburst was not picked up on the referee's mic, but depending on its severity - and how far Lebanon go in the tournament - it could also impact Doueihi's availability for round one of the 2023 NRL season.

"The World Cup hasn't given us any footage, we have asked for it," Cheika said.

"We're all a bit in the dark.

"It's a shame we can't make that decision now because they're unable to find that footage with the audio on it."

If charged, Doueihi would have the right to appeal against any possible suspension.

with AAP

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