Mils Muliaina scored his first four tries in All Blacks colours as the New Zealanders romped to a 68-6 victory over Canada at the World Cup on Friday after failing to score for the first 18 minutes.
Centre Caleb Ralph and back row Rodney So’oialo collected two tries each and centre Daniel Carter kicked nine conversions to become the tournament’s top scorer with 35 points.
It was a slow start before 38 899 fans under the roof at Docklands Stadium before the All Blacks took complete control.
Carter, who scored 17 points against Italy, missed an early penalty and the so-called second string Canadian team kept the All Blacks at bay for 18 minutes until Ralph scored the 100th try of the championship.
It came from a brilliant kick ahead by Carlos Spencer after the All blacks broke from their own 22. Ralph took advantage of lucky bounce and beat Canadian fullback Quentin Fyffe to the touchdown.
Jared Barker replied for the Canadians with a penalty before the All Blacks ran in three tries.
So’oialo stretched his arm over for his first All Blacks try after a thrilling run by center Ma’a Nonu had opened up the defence and fullback Leon McDonald had been stopped just short of the line.
Winger Muliaina added the third with his first for New Zealand after McDonald had kicked ahead and So’oialo scored his second after a 60-metre New Zealand run to make sure of the bonus point before half time. All three conversions were kicked by Carter and the All Blacks went into half time leading 28-3.
Ralph was denied a second try when TV video referee Joel Dume ruled he hadn’t touched down inside the sideline. But Muliaina scored his second after taking a slick inside pass from Brad Thorn and running unchallenged for 30 metres. Carter’s conversion made him the leading scorer at the championship.
Muliaina completed his hat trick three minutes later from a pass by Nonu before Barker’s second penalty ending the All Blacks scoring streak.
Kees Meeuws broke from a maul close to the Canadian line for his eighth try in New Zealand colours and seven All Blacks score of the night.
Ralph took a long pass by back row Marty Holah to score his second try in the 66th minute to increase the margin to 50 points.
And the All Blacks strung together a textbook move across the width of the field for Muliaina to score his fourth in the corner.
Nonu, who started in place of injured centre Tana Umaga, scored the 10th All Blacks try three minutes from the end.
Scorers:
New Zealand 68; tries – Mils Muliaina (4) 33rd, 46th, 49th, 74th, Caleb Ralph (2) 18th, 66th, Rodney So’oialo (2) 27th, 37th, Kees Meeuws 63rd, Ma’a Nonu 77th; conversions – Daniel Carter (9) 18th, 27th, 33rd, 37th, 46th, 49th, 63rd, 66th, 77th.
Canada 6; penalties – Jared Barker (2) 21st, 52nd. – Sapa-AP