Mils Muliaina scored four tries in a 10 try 68-6 win for New Zealand over Canada in Pool D of the Rugby World Cup from Telstra Dome in Melbourne tonight.
New Zealand stayed at the top of Pool D with a maximum 10 points and Canada remain without any points in RWC 2003.
New Zealand controlled the match throughout and had a bonus point before half time, scoring four converted tries in the first half to lead 28-3.
Muliaina, playing on the wing in this match, scored his first Test try among his four for the night, number 8 Rodney So’oialo and wing Caleb Ralph got doubles while Ma’a Nonu and Kees Meeuws also scored tries.
Daniel Carter kicked nine conversions to finish with 18 points and move to the top of the RWC 2003 points scorers list with 35 after his 17 points in the 70-7 win over Italy in game one of the Pool.
Best for New Zealand were Muliaina, while Brad Thorn charged at the defence all night and Nonu scored a try and beat the first tackle every time he ran in a performance that showed he will be a more than adequate replacement for vice captain Tana Umaga.
Canada went in to the match with 14 changes to the team beaten 41-10 by Wales in game two of Pool D in Melbourne on 12 October, while New Zealand made nine changes to the team that beat Italy in Melbourne the day before.
The Canadians defended stoutly throughout, holding the All Blacks scoreless for 18 minutes, stealing five possessions, three at the breakdown and another two at lineout time deep in defence, as the All Blacks struggled to establish their expected superiority.
New Zealand opened the scoring in the 18th minute with the 100th try of Rugby World Cup 2003, when Caleb Ralph chased down the second of two chip kicks by Carlos Spencer, the second a split second piece of handling on the touchline.
The All Blacks had three more tries in the first half, adding a further six in the second as the New Zealand game started to take shape against a Canadian team unwilling to play like a team expected to lose.
New Zealand are favourites to top Pool D with Canada in a fight with Wales, Tonga and Italy for the second spot in the quarter final knockout stage.
Italy and Wales have the inside running, both winning a match, the latter securing a bonus point.
Scorers:
New Zealand: 68
Tries: Mils Muliaina (4), Rodney So’oialo (2),Caleb Ralph (2), Kees Meeuws and Ma’a Nonu.
Conversions: Daniel Carter (9)
Canada: 6
Penalties: Jared Barker (2)