John Kear has admitted feeling pained by Wales’ thrashing at the hands of Fiji that has ended hopes of progress at the Rugby League World Cup.

The 72-6 scoreline was a record tournament defeat for Wales who cannot make the quarter-finals after two huge losses – they were beaten 50-6 by Papua New Guinea in their opening game – and can only fight for pride in their remaining match against Ireland.

Head coach Kear confessed he felt bruised and said: “You feel like you’ve been kicked in the rocks, to tell you the truth.

“The Welsh fans will be disappointed, but they’re not half as disappointed as the players and coaches.

“Quality told, they were comprehensively better than us. If people play like that against you who are that big and skilful, you’re in bother. And we were in bother.

Jarryd Hayne set a new record for Rugby League World Cup tries as Fiji steamrolled Wales to close in on the quarter-finals along with the Papua New Guinea Kumuls on Sunday.

The NRL superstar scored one of Fiji Bati’s 14 tries to swamp Kear’s team in Townsville to top Pool D with their second emphatic win of the tournament after smashing the United States 58-12 in their opening match.

Hayne has now scored a record 14 World Cup tries, eclipsing Australians Bob Fulton and Billy Slater.

It proved a one-sided procession as the Fijians overwhelmed Wales to hold a match-winning 42-6 advantage at half-time.

It got little better in the second term with Fiji adding 30 more points and keeping the Welshmen pointless.

Melbourne Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu scored a hat-trick of tries to follow up his opening round brace for five tries in the tournament.

Fiji finish up their pool action against Italy in Canberra on Friday, while Wales have a last game against Ireland in Perth on Sunday.