Four-try Muliaina the ace in All-Black rout

New Zealand 68 Canada 6

Winger Mils Muliaina led the 10-try rout with his first four scores for New Zealand, but it was not an entirely-convincing performance, as the All Blacks struggled to play with any rhythm for long periods.

What saved them, as it has done so often, is the electric pace, magnificent vision, and silky skills, of a back division which can so ruthlessly exploit an opening.

Muliaina’s opposite winger Caleb Ralph bagged a brace, as did number eight Rodney So’oialo, while there were also scores for Ma’a Nonu and Kees Meeuws.

“That was actually a very good work-out for us,” Mitchell said afterwards. “We learned a lot from it. They tackled their hearts out.

“We lacked a little bit of rhythm, especially in the first 30 minutes, but that comes through some of our own execution.

“It was exactly what we needed, we had to work hard for that victory,” Mitchell said.

Clark angrily refuted any suggestion he had fielded a second string line-up, after making 14 changes to the side which lost to Wales.

It made Canada something of an unknown quantity, but Mitchell was not surprised with what transpired.

“We always thought it would be a physical workout.

“They played with a lot of pride and were representing their country after all,” he said.

Clark admitted his side entered the game against Wales, which they lost five tries to one, over-confident.

That was never a concern this week, with the squad looking for a positive preparation for the game against Italy next week.

NEW ZEALAND: L MacDonald; M Muliaina, M Nonu, D Carter, C Ralph; C Spencer, S Devine; C Hoeft, M Hammett, K Meeuws; B Thorn, C Jack; R Thorne, M Holah, R So'oialo. Replacements: C Flynn, D Hewett, R McCaw, D Braid, B Kelleher, D Howlett, G Somerville.

CANADA: Q Fyfe; M King, J Cannon, M di Girolamo, S Fauth; J Barker, E Fairhurst; K Tkachuk, A Abrams, G Cooke; J Cudmore, E Knaggs; R Banks, J Douglas, J Reid. Replacements: M Lawson, R Snow , A van Staveren, C Yukes, M Williams, R Smith, N Witkowski.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (ENG)