New Zealand 64-13 Canada:New Zealand flyhalf Dan
Carter scored 29 points in his comeback from injury as the All
Blacks hammered Canada 64-13 in a one-off test at Hamilton today.
Carter, who missed last week's 61-10 win over France with an
ankle injury, showed no signs of trouble as he scored three tries
and kicked seven conversions from 10 attempts on his return.
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 slow start to run in 10 touchdowns.
The Canadians, who were tipped by New Zealand bookmakers to
lose by at least 70 points, held the All Blacks to 26-13 at
halftime before running out of steam in the second term.
Fullback Mike Pyke scored Canada's lone try when he
intercepted a pass from Carter and sprinted 90 metres downfield
while wing James Pritchard landed the conversion and two penalties.
The Canadians 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.
They should have gone to the break trailing 19-13 but
conceded a try after the halftime siren had sounded, then another
two minutes after the re-start to allow the All Blacks to open up a
20-point cushion.
Carter scored all three of his tries in the second half as
New Zealand shook off the rust and scored 38 unanswered points.
The All Blacks travel to South Africa next weekend to play
the Springboks in the Tri-Nations.