Wales ran in nine tries to crush Canada 61-26 at the Millennium Stadium on Friday and gain a confidence booster ahead of their testing clash with the All Blacks next week.
The Welsh overcame the loss of centre Gavin Henson, who withdrew just before kick-off with an infected toe, to clinch a win that would still have left coach Gareth Jenkins with plenty to think about ahead of the meeting with New Zealand.
Of particular concern will be the number of penalties Wales conceded through defensive lapses, which saw Canada sneak in two easy tries after the break.
Winger Shane Williams, who scored a fine solo try in the first half, was man-of-the-match and he believes the All Blacks can be beaten.
”We can beat New Zealand,” said the Cardiff winger.
”We showed tonight that on our day we can beat anyone but we know we have a lot of work to do.”
Williams, who has taken his international tally to 28 tries, also had a hand in Matthew Rees’s first try for Wales, and it was his flat pass that allowed Ceri Sweeney to score soon after coming on as a second-half replacement.
Gareth Thomas opened the scoring as he chased down a clever chip through from James Hook and referee Tony Spreadbury awarded Wales a penalty try on the brink of half-time.
Thomas now has 37 tries in his 90 appearances.
Scrumhalf Dwayne Peel darted over after the interval, blindside flanker Jonathan Thomas scored twice in three second-half minutes and Tom Shanklin rounded off the scoring in the closing seconds.
Hook converted eight of the nine tries.
Canada scored in the second half through replacement prop Dan Pletch and Edinburgh winger Mike Pyke, while James Pritchard kicked 13 points.
The two sides meet again in Nantes next September in their opening game of the World Cup. — Sapa-AFP