Mitchell happy with All Blacks' workout

New Zealand coach John Mitchell insisted the Canadians had given his side an ideal work-out in Melbourne today, despite the All Blacks running up another big score.

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 for long periods to play with any rhythm.

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.

Canada coach David Clark had selected a XV based on their ability to battle and defend, and it proved particularly effective at disrupting New Zealand in the lineout and at the breakdown.

Clark claimed before the game he would be happy to help Mitchell fine-tune his preparation leading to what he sees as a coming World Cup triumph.

And, according to Mitchell, that is just what happened.

“That was actually a very good work-out for us,” he said after the 68-6 triumph in Melbourne.

“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.”

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 give the opposition respect, we always thought it would be a physical workout,” said Mitchell.

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

Mitchell admitted Daniel Carter, who landed nine of his 11 shots at goal, was moving towards being New Zealand’s number one goal-kicker – which will make for an interesting selection meeting when his chief rival for the inside-centre shirt, Aaron Mauger, returns to fitness.

“He is heading in that direction through his performances in the last two weeks,” said Mitchell.

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 ignoring the scoreboard and looking for a positive preparation for the game against Italy next week.

“They were very physical tonight,” said All Blacks skipper Reuben Thorne.

“They competed well at the breakdown and they put a lot of pressure on us there.

“Early on we couldn’t get a rhythm going. That was partly due to the errors were making, but partly due to the pressure they were putting on us defensively.”