Smith: We will get better

Maurie Fa'asavalu and Sam Burgess both capped fine debuts with tries and Gareth Raynor also touched down but Rob Burrow's four goals were just as crucial.

Former Leeds coach Smith said: "We did a nice solid job. I thought we could have won by a little more had we been a bit better in our execution on a couple of breaks but that may not have done us any good - we may have got carried away with it. We will be more threatening - but so will they."

He added: "It was a good, hard game. The Kiwis didn't make any mistakes in the first half and they were rewarded with a couple of tries.

"We gifted them a couple that were preventable but we stood up to them physically. I thought my team were a bit rusty. Some players have not played for a few weeks so we've been able to blow the cobwebs away."

Smith could not hide his admiration for newcomers Fa'asavalu and Burgess, who both vindicated their selection.

Samoan-born Fa'asavalu brushed aside the controversy over his call-up to score within minutes of coming off the bench.

And Burgess, the youngest debutant since Andy Farrell in 1993, emulated the first-appearance feat of the former captain by claiming the decisive third try in the second half.

Smith said: "Sam has been doing it all season and he showed what he can do. He has got a lot of progress to make but I had a lot of confidence in him and I am pleased he was rewarded with a try.

"Maurie did a great job on debut as well and came up with a try and had some terrific carries."