Carter inspires All Blacks to crush Canada

New Zealand 64 Canada 13

Daniel Carter’s second-half hat-trick steered New Zealand to a convincing victory over Canada at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium.

Carter’s triple extended the margin of victory in a game they dominated, with the weakened side running in 10 tries without ever reaching top gear.

The hosts were comfortably ahead at the quarter-hour mark, after Sitiveni Sivivatu opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a burst through the centre. The Waikato flyer then played in Luke McAlister out wide.

However, a James Pritchard penalty opened the visitors’ account, and the World Cup qualifiers suddenly looked a class ahead of the France side casually dismissed by the All Blacks seven days earlier.

Former Edinburgh full-back Mike Pyke intercepted a loose Carter pass to outpace the New Zealand line and stride home from the opposition 22.

However, a try on his debut by prop John Schwalger extended the hosts’ advantage after pummelling work from the tight five.

The engine room combined again on the stroke of half-time to offer a first international try for Schwalger’s Hurricanes team-mate Andrew Hore.

Carter then touched over on the right flank within seconds of the restart and converted the effort to stretch the lead.

Carter snatched two more in similar circumstances, popping up unmarked on the right, after flanker Chris Masoe also penetrated the flank to cross the whitewash.

With seconds remaining Carter converted Rico Gear’s late try to bring up 29 points for the match.

The victory offered New Zealand a regulation victory ahead of their Tri-Nations campaign, while the tourists can take positives from the performance ahead of the World Cup.