Four tries: Zac Guilford
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The All Blacks reacted to the bad news of the last 24 hours by running twelve tries past Canada to win 79-15 in Wellington on Sunday.
Wing Zac Guildford grabbed four tries as Canada were unable able to cope with the pace at which New Zealand launched attack after attack.
With superstar fly-half Dan Carter having been ruled out of the tournament and captain Richie McCaw forced to watch from the stands due to a foot injury, a big win was just what the doctor ordered.
Speaking of doctors, the All Blacks medical staff have more work to do after Colin Slade left the scene early with a slight ankle injury.
But we'll focus on the positives here and there were plenty for the tournament hosts - as you would expected from a team that scores 79 points.
Top of that list will be the scrum which continues to impress and was rewarded with a push-over try, a rare sight in Test rugby these days.
It wasn't all bad news for the visitors though as Conor Trainor became the first Canadian to score two tries against the All Blacks. And they were just reward for Canada's efforts - not just at Wellington Regional Stadium, but over the last three weeks.
Canada were first to score when Ander Monro slotted an early penalty, but it was one-way traffic for 70 of the remaining 78 minutes. New Zealand led 37-8 at break.
Victor Vito and Jerome Kaino also bagged two tries apiece as the All Blacks completed the pool stages with a perfect record of four bonus-point wins from as many starts. What way to celebrate the coaching staff's 100th game and carry momentum into the quarter-finals, where they will meet Argentina.
Man of the match: A few candidates here, and you have to mention Guildford, who not only scored four tries but had a hand in setting up a couple more. But the gong goes to Jerome Kaino, who not only scored two tries of his own, but ruled the breakdown area with an iron fist.
Moment of the match: We expected New Zealand to win easily and no one would have been surprised by any of their tries. For us the highlight came early in the second half when Canada capped a purple patch with Conor Trainor's second try. Not many people claim a brace against the world's best team - well done lad.
Villain of the match: Nothing to see here... move along.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Guildford 4, Vito 2, Dagg, Muliaina, Cowan, Kaino 2, Williams
Cons: Slade 4, Weepu 4
Pen: Slade
For Canada:
Tries: Trainor 2
Con: Monro
Pen: Monro
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Victor Vito, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Brad Thorn, 19 Anthony Boric, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Canada: 15 Matt Evans, 14 Conor Trainor, 13 DTH Van Der Merwe, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Phil Mackenzie, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Chauncey O'Toole, 6 Adam Kleeberger, 5 Jamie Cudmore, 4 Jebb Sinclair, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Pat Riordan (c), 1 Hubert Buydens.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Hamilton, 17 Scott Franklin, 18 Andrew Tiedemann, 19 Tyler Hotson, 20 Nanyak Dala, 21 Sean White, 22 Nathan Hirayama.
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Comments
S_Dog says...
Would of liked to see Slade get some time with Weepu or Ellis at halfback, Cowen was terrible.
Posted 06:56 02nd October 2011
Hawkeye says...
@ cuw31
You don't get it. It's not vanity. There simply isn't the sheer population and purchasing power in NZ (don't let the AB "brand" fool you) to allow the European "bid" set the price for the NZ "offer". There has to be a greater reason to play for the ABs than the money. That's what the whole equation rests on. Move to a small country outside Europe and you'll get it.
Posted 06:39 02nd October 2011
benc says...
But once again NZ not really tested after group stage of world cup? Yes maybe 20mins v France but never looked like losing or under scoreboard pressure. Just like 4 years ago when also best team in tournament. Think Argentina will do NZ huge favour by providing tough challenge, but will NZ be ready for semi v SA or Oz?? Probably!
Posted 06:38 02nd October 2011
Ramage says...
@cuw31 Sorry you are so wide of the mark you call it sanity and I if it ever happened I would call it a sell out. Nick Evans made his move years ago knowing full well that if he was playing outside NZ he forfeited his right to be selected. Those are our rules and no way will the selectors even approach Evans because it would be a sell out of all those who have stayed in NZ and not chased the pound or euro. Please give us some marks for having some moral integrity. So to follow up on this the selectors have asked Aaron Cruden who has been an understudy to Carter and still lives and plays his rugby here to join the squad. Good and all as Nick Evans is he made his decision years ago and was and never would be considered for NZ and therefore is not required.
@jmanngod I agree for a while in the second half the play was not good and just goes to show that the top end was not working. However better now then later and still time for Slade or Wepu or Cruden lol to get more game time before they meet South Africa in the Semis and face a much sterner test.
Posted 06:35 02nd October 2011
hayj05 says...
Piri Weepu is the man for No 10. He is a pressure player & can lead this team to glory.
Also well done Canada. May not of been a flattering scoreline but they can be very proud of their efforts throughout the pool stages. Great contribution for the resources they have.
Posted 06:22 02nd October 2011
jonesy2 says...
piri weepu is awesome, him and slade are going to be the perfect covers. zac guildford just made selection so difficult, what a display from him.
Posted 06:00 02nd October 2011
Storm says...
Carter absence laid to rest.
(Graham) Henry Vth stuff to come in next three weeks.
We merry band of brothers.
We happy few....
Posted 05:53 02nd October 2011
melkdave says...
Very accomplished ABs today awful weather great handling ect.Canada faded last 20 and lets remember they are still amatuers so not a bad showing by them really considering .But the Blacks look just awesome underlined they are the team in form and to beat At the moment nobody looks like they can stop them .Choking no way they are just to good but dont look arogant at all that has been their downfall in the past imo
Posted 05:29 02nd October 2011