Four tries: Zac Guilford
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The All Blacks reacted to the bad news of the last 24 hours by running twelve tries past Canada to win 79-15 in Wellington on Sunday.
Wing Zac Guildford grabbed four tries as Canada were unable able to cope with the pace at which New Zealand launched attack after attack.
With superstar fly-half Dan Carter having been ruled out of the tournament and captain Richie McCaw forced to watch from the stands due to a foot injury, a big win was just what the doctor ordered.
Speaking of doctors, the All Blacks medical staff have more work to do after Colin Slade left the scene early with a slight ankle injury.
But we'll focus on the positives here and there were plenty for the tournament hosts - as you would expected from a team that scores 79 points.
Top of that list will be the scrum which continues to impress and was rewarded with a push-over try, a rare sight in Test rugby these days.
It wasn't all bad news for the visitors though as Conor Trainor became the first Canadian to score two tries against the All Blacks. And they were just reward for Canada's efforts - not just at Wellington Regional Stadium, but over the last three weeks.
Canada were first to score when Ander Monro slotted an early penalty, but it was one-way traffic for 70 of the remaining 78 minutes. New Zealand led 37-8 at break.
Victor Vito and Jerome Kaino also bagged two tries apiece as the All Blacks completed the pool stages with a perfect record of four bonus-point wins from as many starts. What way to celebrate the coaching staff's 100th game and carry momentum into the quarter-finals, where they will meet Argentina.
Man of the match: A few candidates here, and you have to mention Guildford, who not only scored four tries but had a hand in setting up a couple more. But the gong goes to Jerome Kaino, who not only scored two tries of his own, but ruled the breakdown area with an iron fist.
Moment of the match: We expected New Zealand to win easily and no one would have been surprised by any of their tries. For us the highlight came early in the second half when Canada capped a purple patch with Conor Trainor's second try. Not many people claim a brace against the world's best team - well done lad.
Villain of the match: Nothing to see here... move along.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Guildford 4, Vito 2, Dagg, Muliaina, Cowan, Kaino 2, Williams
Cons: Slade 4, Weepu 4
Pen: Slade
For Canada:
Tries: Trainor 2
Con: Monro
Pen: Monro
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Victor Vito, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Brad Thorn, 19 Anthony Boric, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Canada: 15 Matt Evans, 14 Conor Trainor, 13 DTH Van Der Merwe, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Phil Mackenzie, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Chauncey O'Toole, 6 Adam Kleeberger, 5 Jamie Cudmore, 4 Jebb Sinclair, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Pat Riordan (c), 1 Hubert Buydens.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Hamilton, 17 Scott Franklin, 18 Andrew Tiedemann, 19 Tyler Hotson, 20 Nanyak Dala, 21 Sean White, 22 Nathan Hirayama.
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Comments
startledwombat says...
In June 2011 Murray Deaker interviewed Nick Evans on NZ Sky Sports. Evans was in New Zealand on holiday. Deaker put to him the scenario that turning out for a NZ Super 15 team, if only for just one game, would be sufficient to get Evans back in the frame for NZ national selection and therefore possibly the World Cup. Evans said he wasn't going to play while in NZ, he had made his decision to not play for the All Blacks a long time ago and had no reason to change it. Even if asked he wouldn't put on his boots for a Super 15 team while in NZ on holiday.
A terrific player and, from his TV style, a very impressive young man.
Posted 10:54 05th October 2011
Ramage says...
@Trinuts as I've said before nobody should laugh at any player's injury and those who do are mean spirited. Just to say that it is good to see Ioane back and i hope Read will be back to full fitness for the Argentine game and then the semi against the Boks.
@snakeface nice name to label yourself, just take note New Zealand is a Polynesian country and we are proud of that fact. Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islanders, Nuiean, Tokelauan and our British Irish Dutch,Indian, Chinese, Fijian Vietnamese, Australian and South African people who have settled and blended with out Polynesian races to make us the multinational country we are. Our All Blacks are a true statement of our Polynesian heritage. If you are trying to spit out some venom from your snake face it is lost on us a true Polynesian multinational nation whom our All Blacks represent with honour and pride. Aroha mai aroha atu
Posted 09:17 03rd October 2011
coronach says...
snakeface; how pathetic, but maybe the best you could write one-handed.
Better forums would ban you for racism.
Posted 01:45 03rd October 2011
RealRugby says...
@snakeface - um, yes, we have a lot of Polynesians living in New Zealand. Do you have a problem with that?
I don't know how but the AB's managed to end up on the most rubbish pool - would have been nice to be tested a bit by the likes of Wales or Ireland. Not sure what Argentina are going to offer to the mix, them, the scots and the poms were all distinctively average. Going to be a rough ride from the semis!
Posted 23:37 02nd October 2011
thehound says...
Weepu at 10 was a massive improvment
Posted 19:29 02nd October 2011
SNAKEFACE says...
Well done to the Polynesian All Blacks !!!
Posted 13:51 02nd October 2011
pierredelot1 says...
So NZ won and won well, but to date they haven't run into too much opposition. But they will miss DC he's the best, no argument. but Wilkinson was once and injury put paid to years of his career. I'd hate to think that the same misfortune would srike again. Lovely comments regarding the critisisim of players who move north to make a few quid. Professional player have max about 7 years to make a good living and then they are on the shelf. Some of the slagging of Evans and McCallister is unnecessary, they have been great players and continue to be. Seem to remember DC playing in Perpignon not so long ago and I bet you he'll be back, travel broadens the mind and the imagination. Nothing immoral about heading North for the job, Europe is full of Kiwis, Aussies and SAFAS all doing the same thing. Those that have remained behind in th South are pure as the driven snow. Mind you, you can take some of them back as well, refereeing S/H guys is like listening to the world whingeing championships and thats on a quiet day. More rabbit than a bunch of chinchillas.
Posted 13:14 02nd October 2011
coronach says...
@ Cosmicdiver says"They score loads of tries against awful teams"
well considering today was Henry's 100th test with the ABs sinec June 2004, and they have won 85 of them . . . there must be a lot of awful teams out there.
In 100 matches only losses have been to 3 teams: SA (8), Aust (5), France (2).
No other team comes close to 85% win rate.
Who do you support?
Posted 11:40 02nd October 2011
dolgun says...
@trinats
Once again your comments are predictable and tired.
Why don't you leave Planet Rugby alone for three weeks and go and read the Daily Mail or something. I'm sure they'll appreciate your ridiculous comments.
Go the Boks
Posted 11:17 02nd October 2011
Ramage says...
Hey Trinuts you troll how many tries did Russia score against your Wobbolies? Correct me if I'm wrong wasn't it 3. Oh well your team in the yellow jersies will enjoy the break after losing to the Boks next Saturday.
Posted 10:46 02nd October 2011
Storm says...
@lostguy - huh!
Posted 10:33 02nd October 2011
lostguy101 says...
Guilford and SBW will make the bench for the finals, Vito will make number 7 with McCaw playing 8. Slade will stay at 10 with Weepu backing up. Dagg for fullback all the way.
Rather talk about player positions than join in on the slagging matches that seem to happen so often.
Posted 09:50 02nd October 2011
kiwikev says...
Trinats after the Irish sent OZ to the second seeding, I suspect that you should stop worrying about who the AB will play and focus on the Wobblies next match...
Posted 09:38 02nd October 2011
Smash40 says...
Trinats...didn't we let in 3 tries when we played Russia? We lost to Ireland. But thanks, you almost always make me chortle.
Posted 09:23 02nd October 2011
jonesy2 says...
Cosmicdiver --- haha i would love to know what team you support, whatever team it is, you are a joke.
Posted 09:21 02nd October 2011
Storm says...
Trinats: Wallabies will be obliterated by SA. The Boks have one more big game in them and now have the best kicker (Morne Steyn) in the RWC who has consistently converted in the most difficult stadium (cake tin) conditions in NZ, maybe the world; speaking from personal experience of course
Quade Cooper et al will be on a Gold Coast beach in less than ten days.
Posted 08:51 02nd October 2011
7ton says...
Comic diver
What a very petty minded post. Grow up and get rid of those huge chips on your puny shoulders
Posted 08:31 02nd October 2011
Cosmicdiver says...
Some sports writer said the ABs were clinical. What a joke. Just keep patting yourself on the back. Real rugby starts when the team that gets in front makes the other team's stress levels climb when they can't get through the defense. The main reason the ABs choke. They score loads of tries against awful teams! Canada had loads of energy but the most disorganized defense of their campaign. So far it's looking good for teams who can win under pressure. DC loss massive. Slade mediocre. If that's all you can do with a dominant scrum, what chance do you have when you are under pressure. Looking at AB coaching staff during the game, it seems Henry and the guys are getting worried. No pressure from Canada and yet how many awful passes to start a back line move were there. ABs are lucky they're at home. Eden park might give them a boost, until they fall behind and face some pressure. The awfully quiet AB fans will not be able to rescue them! I here the sound of an AB team implosion in the semis....
Posted 07:40 02nd October 2011
KiwiLad says...
I suspect a combination of Aaron Cruden and Weepu at 10 will help to make up the massive loss of Carter.
Aaron Cruden has been in graet form of recent times, and IMO is a better option at 10 than Slade..
But you have to feel for DC, he will be absolutely gutted, as will F Steyn, Drew Mitchell and a few others..
Posted 07:12 02nd October 2011
jonesy2 says...
yeah lets just clear this up once and for all. even if evans was able to be called up, he wouldnt be, one of the main reasons for the rule is because if they are playing in the NH, no matter how well, they are not playing high enough level than players in the same position that are playing in NZ. whats more the AB coaching staff have no idea how he is playing, what he has been doing, how fit he is, he hasnt been in the system, more chance of andrew mehrtens making a comeback. plus no kiwi fans would want evans to play, he choose to not play for AB when he went overseas.
Posted 07:01 02nd October 2011