Test match/ New Zealand 64 Canada 13: The All Blacks set off for South Africa before dawn yesterday after completing their Tri-Nations build-up with a 64-13 romp over Canada on Saturday.
The New Zealanders followed up their back-to-back wins over a depleted French side by thrashing Canada at Hamilton to extend their unbeaten run at home to 24 matches, a record for an international team, and immediately turned their thoughts to the Springboks.
The All Blacks ran in 10 tries on Saturday but wasted plenty of chances through over-exuberance, prompting coach Graham Henry to warn his players against complacency.
Henry said there were plenty of areas his team could improve but he was reluctant to criticise them too much given the final margin and the fact they were due to fly to South Africa soon after the match finished.
"Some of the guys had half their minds on the plane; I think that's natural," Henry said.
"We're reasonably happy. We've had three games to prepare and most of the time we're playing reasonable rugby. We just need a big game now. I think that will bring the best out of us."
New Zealand outhalf Daniel Carter scored 29 points in his comeback from injury.
Carter, who missed last week's 61-10 win over France with an ankle problem, showed no signs of the injury as he scored three second-half tries and kicked seven conversions from 10 attempts.
Wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, centre Luke McAlister, prop John Schwalger, hooker Andrew Hore, flanker Chris Masoe, wing Doug Howlett and replacement Rico Gear also scored tries as the All Blacks recovered from a slowish start.
They were never in danger but stand-in captain Reuben Thorne agreed with the coach they still had work to do before their first Tri-Nations match in South Africa next weekend.
"It was just messy really and the guys are well aware of that, so we've got a long way to go before we reach where we want to be," Thorne said in a TV interview.
"But you have to give credit to Canada. They came out pumped up and gave the game of their lives and really got stuck into it.
"We've got to step it up or we'll be in trouble."
The Canadians, who were tipped by New Zealand bookmakers to lose by at least 70 points, held the All Blacks to 26-13 at half-time before running out of steam.
Fullback Mike Pyke scored their lone try when he intercepted a pass from Carter and sprinted 90 metres. Wing James Pritchard landed the conversion and two penalties.
Canada began strongly, upsetting the All Blacks with their robust defence and well-organised attack, but could not contain the more experienced New Zealanders for the full 80 minutes.
Canada coach Ric Suggitt wants the International Rugby Board (IRB) to give developing countries more opportunities to play against the best teams.
Suggitt said his team never had any real chance of winning but had shown they could compete against the best when given the chance.
"It was labelled "Mission Impossible"," Suggitt said. "But I give my guys credit for playing for 80 minutes. It's a real tough task for a team that's half amateur, half professional to play against the All Blacks building into the World Cup."
NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; D Howlett, L McAlister, A Mauger, S Sivivatu; D Carter, B Kelleher; J Schwalger, A Hore, N Tialata, T Flavell, R Filipo, R Thorne (capt), Masoe, J Collins. Replacements: K Mealamu, C Hayman, R So'oialo, R McCaw, P Weepu, R Gear, L MacDonald.
CANADA: M Pyke; J Mensah-Coker, C Culpan, D Spicer, J Pritchard; R Smith, M Williams (capt); K Tkachuk, P Riordan, S Franklin; L Tait, M Burak; C Yukes, S Mckeen, SM Stephen. Replacements: A Carpenter, D Pletch, M Pletch, J Jackson, A Kleeberger, D van Camp, E Fairhurst.
Referee: Christophe Berdos(France).
