New Zealand 68 Canada 6
Utility back Mils Muliaina scored his first four international test tries as New Zealand romped to a 68-6 World Cup pool D victory over Canada this morning.
Muliaina finished off brilliant moves in the 32nd, 46th,48th and 73rd minutes for four of the 10 tries scored by thetournament favourites.
Winger Caleb Ralph (two), number eight Rodney So'oialo(two), Kees Meeuws and centre Ma'a Nonu also scored while centreDaniel Carter kicked nine conversions. Meeuws's eighthinternational try equalled the world record for a prop.
Despite the ease of the victory, the All Blacks played wellin patches only and had trouble executing their game plan as theCanadians continually frustrated them.
The All Blacks were also architects of their owninability to stamp their pattern on the game as they turned theball over constantly either in the tackle or by forcing thepass.
But once again they scored some brilliant counter-attackingtries with the first coming from a turnover from inside theirown 22 with Carlos Spencer receiving the ball from LeonMacDonald, chipping ahead, regathering then chipping ahead againfor Ralph to outstrip Quentin Fyffe to the ball and touch down inthe 18th minute.
They extended their lead when, after a superb cut by Nonu,and a desperate lunge by MacDonald, So'oialo spun off the backof a ruck to score his first international try.
Muliaina scored another breathtaking try after MacDonaldbroke out from inside his own half and chipped ahead for theAucklander to score in the corner less than five minutes later.
The All Blacks then scored the try of the half as theCanadians turned the ball over, So'oialo sensing the space inmidfield swung a wide pass to Carter who fed Spencer who thenran for 40 metres before flicking back inside to the Wellingtonnumber eight who ran unopposed from the 10-metre line to scoreunder the posts.
Carter converted to give the All Blacks a bonus point and a28-3 lead at halftime.
They continued the rout five minutes into the second halfwhen Muliaina grabbed his second try after a superb inside flickpass by lock Brad Thorn before he outsprinted the cover defencefive minutes later for his third.
Meeuws then grabbed his eighth international try andMuliaina snatched his fourth of the day.
Centre Nonu competed the rout when he barged over after aquick tap penalty five minutes from time before lock Chris Jackreceived a yellow card for a late charge with three minutesremaining.